The Leafs need to identify when they're beating themselves and adjust the gameplan sooner
Oh man, we're gonna be hearing about this one for a while, aren't we? The Leafs lost 4-2 to the absolute dumpster fire that is the 2022-23 Arizona Coyotes on Monday. The Leafs dominated the game in terms of puck possession but failed to consistently generate high danger shots, playing a perimeter game. The Leafs' effort on Monday followed a very similar script to that of the season opener against Montreal. The Coyotes collapsed to and protected the net as the Leafs cycled endlessly around them. If they didn't see a perfect shooting lane, they didn't shoot. That was their undoing.
This strategy works against teams that play aggressively in the defensive zone. Moving the puck quickly and efficiently opens up space by catching opponents looking for offensive opportunities. Against teams like the Coyotes that simply go into a shell, it's largely ineffective. They allow passes around the perimeter and simply clog up the middle of the zone. Similar strategies have worked against the Leafs in the playoffs, notably in their series against the Blue Jackets and Canadiens - inferior opponents who simply can't compete with the skill of the Leafs. So they go into full defense mode and allow the Leafs to beat themselves.
There are 2 parts to the problem. One, they aren't in mid-season form yet, the passes and shots aren't quite dialed in. Two, their strategy is too predictable. The Leafs' offense is a goal scoring machine, but it takes time to warm up. This is where Sheldon Keefe needs to realize earlier that it's not clicking early in the game and simplify things. Force pucks to the middle. Get bodies in front. Crash and bang. Battle for loose pucks and front and go for the dirty goal. If you can't generate the perfect shot, start firing imperfect shots. It isn't rocket science.
The best way to disrupt a passive defense is by injecting a little chaos. The Leafs did a good job of that in the third period and put up 3 goals. Yes, for the purposes of this article I'm counting the third one. The puck went in, and it went in because they threw the perfect plan out the window and got the puck to the net.
The Leafs are still one of the league's best teams. They are still going to make the playoffs and they still have a good shot at finishing atop the Atlantic Division. In order to do that, Sheldon Keefe needs to be better at recognizing when things aren't working and changing it up, otherwise we'll continue to see the Leafs lose to bottom-dwelling teams and curse at our TV screens.
| POLL | ||
OCTOBRE 18 | 173 ANSWERS The Leafs need to identify when they're beating themselves and adjust the gameplan sooner Will the Leafs win the Atlantic Division this season? | ||
| Not if they keep playing like this | 91 | 52.6 % |
| I think so. It's still very early | 30 | 17.3 % |
| Not sure, but I don't like their chances | 31 | 17.9 % |
| They'll be the top Eastern Conference team | 21 | 12.1 % |
| List of polls | ||
