It is rather NHL, and particularly very Toronto Maple Leafs, to make a giant deal out of fixing their aim tune for the season, after which having to vary it after one sport. The lesson, youngsters, is that you simply by no means cross Corridor & Oates. The Greeks knew it, the Carthaginians knew it, and now the Six is aware of it. It’s additionally very hockey to try to replace one’s aim tune to one thing launched this century, determine after the truth that it would offend some altacocker, after which have to modify again to the mid-80s (not that correct Van Halen is ever unwelcome).
However that’s not why the Leafs are hilarious.
It’s been an journey of a begin for the Leafs, who’re a actually acceptable 2-1-0 on the 12 months after opening with a three-game homestand. It’s simply how they’ve gone about that begin that already has their coach calling out their prime gamers, which is a eager technique in a city that just about has nothing else to do however sharpen knives for a generationally proficient group of gamers that they’ve needed to see traded for 3 seasons not less than.
The Leafs ate it at residence final night time to the Blackhawks 4-1, and the Hawks have been each bit worthy of that win. They have been quicker everywhere in the ice, gained many of the free pucks, and restricted the Leafs’ huge weapons to 1 Auston Matthews aim on the finish of the sport and never a lot else. And that’s with new hotness Connor Bedard not even registering some extent. This adopted giving up 5 objectives to the Habs on opening night time, needing two Hail Marys with the goalie pulled to get it to additional time, and giving up 4 objectives to the Wild in a 7-4 win. Each of these got cowl by Auston Matthews’s dueling hat tips.
Three video games in was sufficient for coach Sheldon Keefe to press the pink button. The Leafs have had a behavior of enjoying to the extent of their competitors the previous few years, and positively beginning the season with the decidedly rotten Canadiens and Hawks and the Wild (who’re supposedly an NHL group however nobody’s ever heard of them) was a cue to start out loosely. And positive, possibly the highest six may have performed a little bit tighter to not give the Hawks a gap and perception.
However Keefe is lacking the purpose, or slightly he can’t deal with the true downside but, if in any respect. Some numbers for you:
- John Klingberg – 39.7 xGF share
- Jake McCabe – 40.3 xGF share
- TJ Brodie – 42.0 Corsi share
These have been the numbers they put up final night time. The Hawks aren’t terribly expert, particularly on the wings, however they’re quick in every single place. They usually skulled the Leafs d-men under Morgan Rielly. Right here’s McCabe making an attempt to “defend” McKenzie Entwhistle final night time for the opening aim, and understand that Entwhistle very doubtless gained’t play an NHL sport past this season when the Hawks grow to be a severe group and the opposite 31 golf equipment surprise simply how the hell he ever drew an NHL paycheck:
That was additionally Klingberg not likely doing something to maintain that cross from attending to Entwhistle, and right here’s a reasonably wonderful summation of the remainder of his night time:
Klingberg and McCabe have been woeful for the primary three video games, carrying xGF percentages under 40 % within the three video games whereas enjoying second-pairing minutes. It could assist if the Leafs had been bailed out by both of their goalies, however they’ve given up 12 objectives (one empty-netter) in three video games on 86 photographs (.860 save share).
Maybe Keefe solves this by selling his one d-man with plus-mobility, Timothy Liljegren, onto the second pairing to help both of the 2 which can be already on their second oxygen tank of the season. Nevertheless it was already suspected that this Leafs protection couldn’t sustain with any grouping of fast forwards going through them. The Habs and Hawks have made that look so. What occurs when the Devils or Canes present up?
Clearly, three video games in isn’t any time to be making sweeping judgments. October hockey is usually extra open as the nice groups attempt to acquire regulation wins to get within the playoff positions as quickly as potential and the unhealthy groups haven’t been stripped for elements but and are nonetheless beneath the guise of “making an attempt to shock.” You see extra 7-5 video games within the season’s opening throes.
Keefe can’t throw his protection beneath the bus, but, or his goalies, as a result of there’s nowhere to go. That is what his GM gave him, whereas his finest forwards have one other gear or two to maneuver by way of. They’re additionally already beneath the microscope given the playoff flameouts already on the books, and Keefe in all probability figures extra isn’t going to vary a lot.
However the protection would require a midseason overhaul, and if one thing needs to be carried out concerning the goalies then Keefe is placing the crippling glare of the Toronto highlight on one or two guys who aren’t speculated to be anyplace close to it as an alternative of the 5 who’ve been shouldering it for years anyway. It’s simply pleasant it solely took three video games to get right here, as a result of what’s he going to do if the Leafs hit a rut in December or January?
Nevertheless it’s OK Ryan Reaves, like, yelled at a man. A man who scored a aim whereas Reeves performed six minutes. That’s clearly what Buds All Day has been lacking all this time.
Comply with Sam on Twitter @Felsgate and on Bluesky @Felsgate.bsky.social
