The Maple Leafs’ most recent victory was fueled by a trait they haven’t used much this year: defense.
If the Maple Leafs’ victory over the Nashville Predators on Saturday felt unusual, that’s because it was unusual in a number of respects.
It was Toronto’s first shutout of the year and, on the same day the team declared Joseph Woll out “week to week” due to a high-ankle sprain sustained in Thursday’s victory in Ottawa, a much-needed reminder of Ilya Samsonov’s importance.
The Leafs’ season total now stands at seven after their second straight victory under regulation. It was also the first time in nine games that they had played in a match that wasn’t a one-goal contest, marking the long-awaited return of something that looked like a convincing win.
This statistic, though, was probably the most shocking of all. The Leafs have only let up two goals or fewer in 24 games this season on six separate occasions. To put things in perspective, during the previous season, the Leafs conceded two goals or fewer in 42 out of 82 games. That’s nearly twice as often as they’ve accomplished the feat this season, when they’ve only conceded two goals or less in 25% of the games.
Furthermore, it indicates a general decline in Toronto’s ability to stop the puck from entering its net. Compared to last year, when they allowed 2.68 goals per game, the Leafs are giving up 3.17 goals this season, almost half as many. This season, they rank 17th in the league; last year, they were seventh.
Some people might argue, “So what?” The inquiry is not, “How?” The question is, “How many?”
The Leafs’ defensive metrics have definitely declined from season to season, but the standings hardly reflect this. Before Sunday’s games, Toronto had the fifth-best points percentage in the league. and finished third in the East, just below the Rangers and Bruins. The Leafs are headed for a 109-point season, one year after scoring 111 points.
The Leafs have been winning even though general manager Brad Treliving has acknowledged the team’s continuous search for assistance for the undermanned blue line. Even though the underlying statistics are unappealing, the bottom line is remarkably large.
Some people might argue, “So what?” The inquiry is not, “How?” The question is, “How many?”
The Leafs’ defensive metrics have definitely declined from season to season, but the standings hardly reflect this. Before Sunday’s games, Toronto had the fifth-best points percentage in the league. and finished third in the East, just below the Rangers and Bruins. The Leafs are headed for a 109-point season, one year after scoring 111 points.
The Leafs have been winning even though general manager Brad Treliving has acknowledged the team’s continuous search for assistance for the undermanned blue line. Even though the underlying statistics are unappealing, the bottom line is remarkably large.
