Leafs make a big change on the powerplay
The league's #1 power play sure hasn't looked like it over the last few games. Since exploding for 3 power play markers against the Seattle Kraken, the Leafs have scored 1 measly goal with the man advantage in their last 6 games.
With two important games scheduled for this weekend and 2 PP regulars out with injuries, Sheldon Keefe completely revamped the 2nd power play unit for Friday's practice.
The new look 2nd unit will feature new Leaf Colin Blackwell at centre, flanked by Michael Bunting and Jason Spezza. The big change comes on the back end for the Buds, as Timothy Liljegren and Mark Giordano will take blueline duties for PP2.
Having two D men on the power play is a departure from what we've seen in recent years, but Leafs fans who have been around long enough will remember the days of Thomas Kaberle feeding Bryan McCabe one timers that often beat goalies clean from the point. Both Giordano and Liljegren have great shots and will play their off-sides.
The strategy is fairly clear here. Bunting and Blackwell will be on puck retrieval duty, both are speedy and tenacious and will be on defenders before they can ice the puck cleanly. Their objective will be to either steal the puck or force a play up the boards. This is where having 2 defencemen on the PP will come in handy, both Giordano and Liljegren excel at holding the zone. Once posession is established, look for Bunting and Blackwell to cause chaos in front while Spezza, Liljegren and Giordano fire howitzers from the perimeter. Its a simple strategy, but one that has been effective for years and will force opposing penalty killers to change their approach depending on which PP unit they are facing.
The Leafs will need their power play clicking if they hope to take home wins against the Habs and Panthers. This new second unit may just be what they need to do it. If the primary PP line struggles to get the job done.
| POLL | ||
25 MARS | 280 ANSWERS Leafs make a big change on the powerplay Do you like the idea of using two defensemen on PP2? | ||
| Yes | 157 | 56.1 % |
| No | 45 | 16.1 % |
| As long as Gio and Liljegren can hit the net | 78 | 27.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
