A specialized data set reveals that Matt Murray would have been a top 6 NHL goalie if he played for the Leafs in 2021-22
In 20 games with the Senators last season, Matt Murray posted a respectable .906 save percentage, which actually would have been a lot higher were it not for his final two games of the season. That was also behind a Sens team that had poor defensive structure and play that resulted in the Sens giving up the 6th most shots per game at 33.4. The Leafs on the other hand ranked 24th in shots against per game at 30.6.
According to Clear Sight Analytics, using Campbell's and Murray's adjusted save percentage from 2021-22, if Murray had played behind the Leafs' defense last season, he would've posted a .919 or .920 Sv%. That would've ranked T-6th/7th in the NHL among G's with 10+ GP. If Murray was able to post a .906 save percentage with a Sens defense that has no one other than Chabot that can handle big minutes against the game's best, the potential is there for him to regain the form he had in Pittsburgh behind a much more stabilizing defense in Toronto.
Sens fans won't like it, but maybe Matt Murray isn't actually bad? Maybe it's just the team or system played in front of him that was to blame. Of course, it doesn't help that his own defenseman (Nikita Zaitsev) injured him and knocked him out of the lineup as he was starting to find his rhythm too.
Only time will tell, but between Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov, the Leafs have two goalies capable of being a number one - it just depends on who seizes the opportunity as both are coming into the season with a lot to prove.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 18 | 642 ANSWERS A specialized data set reveals that Matt Murray would have been a top 6 NHL goalie if he played for the Leafs in 2021-22 Will Matt Murray post a .920 sv% or better in his first season in Toronto? | ||
| Yes | 187 | 29.1 % |
| Not a chance | 159 | 24.8 % |
| I'll be happy if he can give us .912 goaltending | 271 | 42.2 % |
| It might even be higher | 25 | 3.9 % |
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