Jack Campbell is struggling, but there are two benefits to his rough stretch
I want to preface this article by stating the fact that I love Jack Campbell and writing this article pains me some. Seriously, there is a signed canvas of Jack in my living room. I haven't appreciated a Leafs goalie this much since Curtis Joseph. That said, our boy has not been good of late, giving up 3 or more goals in his last 6 starts and posting a dreadful .853 sv% in those games. Houston, we may have a problem.
This isn't to say Campbell is bad, or that he won't regain the excellent form we saw from him during the long stretch from October through Christmas. The simple fact is that he's fighting it right now. He's not comfortable in the net and his confidence isn't where it was. For a goalie that plays a less structured style like Campbell does, confidence is everything. If we take a look at the goals from Monday night's game against the Devils, you'll see what I mean.
On the first goal, he's hung out to dry by the defence, but he comes out too aggressively and loses his form. On a shot from that tight, you want to make the shooter go around you by keeping your upper body tight. In this case, he's too worried about covering the corners and lets a bad shot through his body.
The second goal was simply weak play in front from the Leafs' defense. They need to do a better job clearing traffic in front. Jack made the initial save, but Justin Holl and his giant frame seemed content in swiping his stick at the puck rather than pushing his man out.
The third goal, however, is extremely telling. The Leafs give up a 2 on 1 and Travis Dermott dives to take the pass away from Andreas Johnsson, but Campbell is still leaning heavily towards a pass. This is what happens when a goalie isn't confident, you start over thinking. Campbell readies himself to dive across the net to stop a cross crease chance, but in doing so, he gives the Johnsson the entire short side to shoot at. It's a tough play either way, but you have to trust your defence and stay square to the shooter on this one, react to the pass if need be, but the puck carrier needs to be the focus.
Now of course Campbell and his coaches know this stuff. But in the heat of the moment it's not always easy to execute. You get thinking too much and before you know it the puck is behind you. A confident goalie doesn't try to predict the play, he reacts as it happens, at his best, that's what Jack Campbell does.
Now it's not all bad news. This stretch will definitely have an effect on Campbell's contract negotiations. A dip in play now, while not ideal, could very well save the Leafs some money against the cap. Campbell certainly hasn't done himself any favours in the last few weeks in that regard. Truthfully though, I'm more concerned about getting our #1 goalie back to playing like it than I am with his next contract.
Here's hoping when the fans come back, the «Soup» chants do too. In the meantime, the Leafs may be forced to rely on Petr Mrazek a little more, which could actually be a good thing as it will allow Mrazek to get his confidence up a bit and find his stride. He was great in relief of Campbell on Monday, so perhaps he's finally warming up to playing in Canada's hockey mecca.
