Credit where credit is due, the Leafs' assistant coaches have been brilliant this season
The Toronto Maple Leafs are building towards what could be the best regular season in the club's long and storied history. With Sheldon Keefe at the helm, the Leafs are on pace for a 114-point season, 9 points better than their previous mark. Keefe cant take all the credit however, his assistant coaches are absolutely shining this season and it's time they got their due.
Spencer Carbery's PP strategy is much more free wheeling than what we've seen in years past. Instead of standing in place, Auston Matthews is being allowed to read the play more and find open ice for himself. This adjustment made by Carbery is paying dividends, as the Leafs PP sits atop of the NHL.
Not to be outdone, Dean Chynoweth has taken what Dubas has given him this season and run with it. Newly signed defensive specialist David Kampf has been excellent on the PK with Mitch Marner. They currently boast the 5th best PK% in the league and sit 4th in short handed goals with 6.
Manny Malholtra took some heat last season after being put in charge of the Leafs powerplay. After starting hot, the Leafs PP got stale and never really adapted to disrupt penalty killers. Now that he's been given the role of face off specialist, the Leafs lead the NHL in face off%. This doesn't seem Like a huge deal, but starting with possession is an important advantage, especially when it comes to special teams play.
Assistant coaches can make or break a team. It's clear this season that the Leafs have made the right choices in who they want behind the benches, and it's paying dividends on the ice.
The key here is building the right types of habits to carry into the postseason, where special teams can really influence the outcome of an important game. In the case of the Leafs, if they can enter the playoffs in the top-5 in the league in PP, PK and faceoffs, I like their chances of doing some real damage this year.
