At first glance, Sunday’s 4-3 shootout win over the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings is cause for celebration and optimism for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their long suffering fans. But a deeper look at the game reveals all that is wrong with the Leafs and why their style of play is not conducive to long-term or playoff success.
More of the Same
Toronto was outshot by Los Angeles, 36-31, as they blew a 2-0 lead and fell behind 3-2 before rallying to tie the game and send it into overtime and eventual shootout. Toronto continues to get outshot by an average of 34-30 per game as the Leafs rank 26th in the NHL for shots allowed and 20th for goals against.
The numbers reveal that the Leafs have learned nothing from last spring’s playoff collapse for the ages. Toronto’s lack of quality defense and structure did them in during the final weeks of the season and cost them what was thought to be a certain playoff spot.
It has been more of the same for Toronto as they try and run and gun their way to success. While that style of play is certainly entertaining, it is not how hockey games are won come playoff time. Shutdown teams like the Kings are built for the playoffs where the demand is for tight checking and responsible play on the back end. Toronto shows no signs of having that capability.
Free Wheeling Offense
Toronto does boast the highest scoring team In the NHL. Right winger Phil Kessel may have shown up to training camp fat and out of shape, but has come on strong as the team’s leading goal scorer with 15 to go with 16 assists. Kessel can frustrate fans with his seemingly nonchalant personality but make no mistake about it, he is among the most skilled and deadly snipers in the game. Kessel is emblematic of the Toronto style of play as he is a minus three on plus minus.
Goaltenders Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer have been a big reason for Toronto’s success as they continue to bail out the leaky defense with quality play in goal. Bernier in particular has been dominant as the number one netminder with a .920 save percentage.
The Metrics will Find Leafs
It’s only a matter of time before the sloppy back end play catches up with the Leafs. To think that they can continue to outscore teams en route to a Stanley Cup is absolute fantasy.
