A pair of shocking revelations about this current Leafs team
If I hear the words "first round exit" one more time, my head may explode. Every Leafs fan knows how long it's been since the Leafs have seen round 2 of the playoffs and, if we forget, there are 31 other fan bases just dying to remind us. The Leafs' core, as it's currently constructed, is headed towards their seventh attempt at playing an eighth game in the post season. Through the first quarter of the season, it appears they're making adjustments to make it happen, and injuries have been the catalyst
It started almost right away with Matt Murray's adductor injury, then Samsonov's knee injury. The Leafs lost their number one goaltender after just one game, and their number two shortly afterwards. They spun their tires out of the gate offensively, and after a few games, realized they'd have to adjust their game if they couldn't out score their issues. Heck, they even had to sign Keith Petruzelli to an NHL deal just to have a backup on the bench!
It's a little bit ironic that in a season where the Leafs have lost their top 3 defenders to injury, they are on pace to finish with the lowest GAA of the Core 4 era. Jake Muzzin's career appears as though it may be over after suffering cervical spine injury. T.J. Brodie is still out with an oblique injury and Morgan Rielly is on LTIR with an MCL injury. It should have been devastating, but through it all, the Leafs have actually improved defensively.
Without Rielly, Brodie and Muzzin to lean on, the Leafs have had to commit to defence by committee. Every player is invested in preventing chances against, and because of it, Toronto's goalies are suddenly thriving. Since November 1st, the Leafs are allowing the 6th least high danger scoring chances in the NHL. They are taking away the slot and doing a much better job of keeping the front of the net clear.
The Leafs are also currently scoring at the lowest rate they have since Matthews, Marner and Nylander joined the club, but the good news is that their offence is beginning to wake up. Auston Matthews is beginning to look like his old self, John Tavares has been red hot all season, Mitch Marner has points in 17 straight games, and William Nylander has 25 points through 24 games.
If the Leafs can continue with their commitment to team defence when Rielly, Brodie and Samsonov return, they will be a very difficult team to beat. If their offence can get back to what we're used to be at the same time, we could very well be looking at a Presidents Trophy, and maybe, just maybe, an 8th playoff game this season - though I'm certain the goal is a much longer run.
