March is usually the time many Toronto Maple Leafs fans get antsy. It’s around this time when the Maple Leafs play falls off a cliff—they can’t score 5v5, they can’t score on the power play, and their goaltending turns into a pumpkin heading into the playoffs.
In my last post-game against the Florida Panthers, we were beginning to see the usual Maple Leafs March trend. However, coming off of perhaps their most dominant 60 minutes all season against the Calgary Flames, the Maple Leafs were trying to change the trend against the Colorado Avalanche. As this team does so well, there is finally some hope.
Playing to win instead of playing not to lose
The biggest takeaway from the 2–1 win last night was how the Maple Leafs played throughout the 60 minutes. You can look at the shot total, and see that the Avalanche outshot the Maple Leafs 39–26. However, many of the Avalanche’s shots were from the outside. This was due to excellent box outs by the Maple Leafs defenders, and active sticks by the forecheckers. The defenders often made small, quick plays in their own zone and then moved the puck to the neutral zone. The Maple Leafs overall had more quality scoring chances than the Avalanche did.
The other encouraging part of last night’s games was how the Maple Leafs battled through adversity. Just like how the game-winner went in the Maple Leafs’ favour, the Avalanche’s tying goal game off of a questionable penalty against the Maple Leafs:
This would deflate previous Maple Leafs teams for the rest of the game. However, the Maple Leafs kept battling by plugging up the neutral zone, obtaining offensive zone time pressure, and playing off of the turnover. They also committed to the dump-and-chase style game…and actually followed through with the chase part.
Some people will say that the Maple Leafs got lucky with the referee knocking the Maple Leafs’ clearing attempt down, which caused Steven Lorentz to score the shorthanded goal. However, there is a lot of randomness to the game of hockey. Over the years, how many of these types of plays went against the Maple Leafs? Despite the fortuitous 2–1 bounce, the Maple Leafs continued to play to win, instead of playing not to lose. They continued to press the Avalanche to further increase the lead, while playing defensively sound playoff hockey. This “playing to win” mentality has been lacking in each playoff series. If the Maple Leafs can duplicate last night’s effort against a Stanley Cup favourite, they will win a lot of games.
Brick Woll is ready
Head coach Craig Berube has his work cut out for him when deciding which goaltender to ride come playoffs. Both Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have been exceptional this year as a tandem. Woll followed up his previous solid start against the Flames with another sound performance last night.
The Avalanche outshot the Maple Leafs in the first period 13–5. It was Woll who kept the score 0–0. Woll had solid positioning, and looked calm and poised. Exactly how he has been this season, but notably how he plays in the playoffs.
Throughout the game when the Maple Leafs needed a save, Woll showed up, robbing the Avalanche players:
It’s encouraging to see that the Maple Leafs’ goaltending, while it has looked human recently, is becoming paranormal again. With the addition of Brandon Carlo at the deadline, this is the strongest Maple Leafs’ defence corps in decades. However, the goaltender is the last defenceman. If Woll is entering mid-playoff form, then the Maple Leafs can play a more relaxed game and not have to worry about making a mistake.
Matthews is buzzing
The three-time Maurice Rocket Richard winner is more than capable of putting the puck in the net during the regular season. However, the Maple Leafs are not going to go far if captain Auston Matthews does not show up in the playoffs.
Matthews looks to be on fire these last two games. Coming off a two-goal, one-assist performance against the Flames, Auston Matthews put the Maple Leafs on the board off of their only power play of the night:
It’s more than the points that is very encouraging. Matthews looks to have gained a step back, ferocious on the forecheck, and engaged with the play in last night’s game. Matthews was all over the ice last night in all three zones. He was up to the task going against Nathan MacKinnon head-to-head all night, and looked phenomenal. The power play also looks to have arisen from the depths of despair, ranking seventh in the league. The power play has gone four-for-five opportunities, which is encouraging as we get closer to the playoffs.
The biggest issue in the playoffs wasn’t goaltending or defence; it’s that the Maple Leafs’ superstars cannot score 5v5 or on the power play. Matthews needs to continue to play with the hunger he has shown in these last two games.
Onto the next
The Maple Leafs play the New York Rangers tomorrow night at Madison Square Gardens. The Maple Leafs are now tied for first place with the Florida Panthers with 85 points, while the Rangers are one point away from the second wild card spot.
It’s going to be another test for the Maple Leafs after pulling off a gutsy performance in last night’s game. However, the Maple Leafs have the opportunity to take first place in the Atlantic Division. If the Maple Leafs win the division this year, it would go a long way to proving they are serious about making a deep playoff run.
