HBO 24/7 is great for NHL, terrible for Toronto Maple Leafs

HBO’s annual look inside two teams on the road to the Winter Classic is one of the best parts of the season for any hockey aficionado. The TV crew brings fans behind the scenes and into the lives of NHL players on a daily basis.

This year HBO focuses on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Detroit Red Wings (preview here). As the TV crews follow the two clubs around until their outdoor matchup on New Year’s Day at the Big House in Ann Arbour, it’s clear the Maple Leafs don’t need the extra attention right now.

Toronto has struggled offensively all season and has been outshot in 24 of its 28 games this season. The Leafs are still three games above .500, but have now lost five straight games. Right now, the Leafs have more than a few problems to worry about as the cameras follow their every move.

They sit second overall with a power play that converts on almost a quarter of its opportunities with the man advantage, but allows 36 shots per game. Toronto’s goaltender tandem of Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer has done its part, though they’re beginning to show the wear of carrying this team through the first two months of the season.

Of course, the Maple Leafs won’t come out and say it, but this isn’t the best time to have a TV crew following the club around. Adding to the five-game losing streak is a tough schedule featuring games against Chicago, Los Angeles, Boston, Pittsburgh, and St. Louis all before the middle of the month.

“It’s one of the best networks to showcase what NHL players do, and everything it takes for us to put in, on a day-to-day basis, what it takes to be professionals,” Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser told reporters. “I was impressed by how accurate it was in portraying the games, and what it’s like to be an NHLer, good and bad. You see the pressures on guys, and how coaches can get on guys.”

That’s one thing you can count on – Toronto coach Randy Carlyle letting his players hear it before this series is over. He’s never been scared to raise his voice, but this season has been even worse than usual so you can bet this might make for some good TV.

Meanwhile, you don’t worry about the Red Wings the same way. Detroit has a pile of veteran experience and is cruising along at 14-7-3-4. They’ll just keep doing what they always do whether the camera is rolling or not. Toronto? Can’t say the same.

The first episode of HBO’s 24/7 Road to the Winter Classic airs Saturday, Dec. 14.