Despite the result of the game, Leafs rookie defenseman boasts strong underlying numbers in NHL debut
The NHL season is underway, and it wouldn't be a normal October without the Leafs dominating the headlines. Whether it's talking about the lackluster 4-4-1 record to start the season, fans demanding a change behind the bench, or a full roster overhaul, the Leafs have been a hot topic with the media. The Buds' most recent game against the LA Kings was a 4-2 loss, and there were some things of note to come out of that game.
For starters, young blueliner Filip Král made his NHL debut. The 23-year-old played just 11:48 on the ice, but was a +1, and had solid underlying defensive and offensive numbers. The Czechia native was a 5th round selection by the Leafs in 2018 and was recently called up due to piling injuries on the back end, which includes Muzzin, Liljegren and Benn.
Moving on to Král's teammate, Justin Holl, who has had his fair share of struggles to start the season (and then some), put together another rough performance on Saturday night. The blueliner had an awful night defensively and was a -2 in 18:34 of TOI, taking a pair of ill-advised penalties. Hopefully he can find his game and regain some confidence, the Leafs will certainly need it.
Other notable performances from the LA game were Pierre Engvall, who notched his first goal of the season (though he also cost the Leafs a goal thanks to a horrendous giveaway in the neutral zone), David Kampf, who registered an assist, and Mark Giordano, who notched an assist and was a +1 in 15:43 of TOI.
The Leafs are back in game action Sunday night, where they face off against the Anaheim Ducks, who are 31st in goals per game, and 32nd in goals against per game. If there was ever a game to end the skid, it would certainly be this one.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 30 | 236 ANSWERS Despite the result of the game, Leafs rookie defenseman boasts strong underlying numbers in NHL debut Should Filip Kral stay up with the Leafs as the team's 7th defenseman or be sent back down to play big minutes for the Marlies? | ||
| Keep him up | 108 | 45.8 % |
| Send him down | 128 | 54.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
