If the Maple Leafs don't fix this part of their game, they can forget about making the playoffs
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Toronto Maple Leafs need to get better with the man advantage this season, or they could very likely be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs.
If there's one thing you can take away from the last stretch of games, it's that the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing a game that is much more consistent to the style we saw last year as they're starting to grind out battles and get some solid depth help from their new faces.
But one thing that has been a thorn in their side all season is special teams. While their penalty kill has been unreal lately, killing off 18 of their last 19 penalties, the power play has been pretty much non-existent.
How a loaded Maple Leafs power play turned into an easy night for penalty kills
Granted, the team doesn't get as many opportunities as others, but that's not a new phenomenon for the Maple Leafs, and the team was fantastic last year on the man advantage, ranking 9th with a 24.77% success rate.
This year has been anything but successful, with the team currently sitting 30th with a paltry 14.1%. They have ten goals on 71 chances; something isn't working and it can't just be the loss of Mitch Marner either.
They are too predictable, they try too many passes still, and are seemingly unable to get any real good shots on net from the point. Opponents are able to see plays before they happen, and when there are shots on net; there's no traffic.
After another 0-for night on the power play, the Maple Leafs are searching for answers, though analysts Sam McKee and JD Bunkis may have a solution for their problems.
The two discussed the Leafs' woes when it comes to the man advantage and discussed about different ways to improve, with one idea being that they balance things out a little more and split up the overloaded top line.
McKee stated:
I'm not sure I like the best shooter on the ice being the furthest from the net [Matthews] but they are trying something.
They know, we all know it sucks. It was brutal. I know what you are saying about moving Cowan off, but you gotta put Domi there. Berube trusts him enough to play on the top line, you gotta put him there.
That's something they haven't tried.
They know, we all know it sucks. It was brutal. I know what you are saying about moving Cowan off, but you gotta put Domi there. Berube trusts him enough to play on the top line, you gotta put him there.
That's something they haven't tried.
Bunkis retorted that perhaps it's best to split everyone up:
The obvious move at this point to me is...buddy you've exhausted this unit. Break them up. This is something that is now nuclear.
You need to split your top guys up on two units and have them compete for time. If they give you a jump, they stay out there. If you're out there and it sucks? Well you're going off the ice, other guys go on.
You need to split your top guys up on two units and have them compete for time. If they give you a jump, they stay out there. If you're out there and it sucks? Well you're going off the ice, other guys go on.
Both analysts bring up a good point. Toronto hasn't really used Domi on the top unit really, and as we've seen recently he's stepped up his game so he could be a positive factor.
What it would mean to actually take power play comfort away from the Leafs' stars
Splitting up the group would give the team much more balance on both units, but wouldn't have that typical overloading force we've come to see. But that could be a good thing.
With how often Toronto gets caught pinching, they often have to rely on a forward or two to play defense. If they split up the stars and had even one regular everyday defenseman on there, it would alleviate a lot of pressure in case they get stuck.
One way to actually spread the talent and address those issues could look something like this:
PP Unit One:
Knies - Matthews - Domi
Ekman-Larsson - Rielly
Ekman-Larsson - Rielly
Robertson - Tavares - Cowan
Nylander - Stecher
Nylander - Stecher
Now it looks a little weird admittedly but let's take a dive into it. It doesn't have to be this exact look, but the principle is clear: balance the threats, give more players real touches, and make stars earn their extra time instead of gifting the same five guys 1:30+ every night.
That first unit still has more than enough firepower in Knies and Matthews, and you give Domi the trust and keep the chemistry from the first line alive, and you add much more defense in Rielly and OEL without sacrificing offensive potential.
But if you wanna really make things pop, that second unit is all about rapid fire shots and speed.
Cowan and Robertson flanking Tavares will give that unit a lot of cycling potential, and with Nylander comfortable on the point and having a wicked shot, it could lead to some great chances.
But don't forget about Troy Stecher, who deserves to be on the special teams units in both regards. He's relentlessly tough and can help quarterback the second group while also providing them a lot of help defensively in case they get stuck.
This grouping says 'Hey, we're seriously good but we need balance.' Names like Stecher and Robertson deserve their shots as well, and it shouldn't matter if Auston Matthews is on the ice; if he's not effective try something else.
There's no shame in trying new tactics, especially when this specific facet of the game has been the team's kryptonite this season.
Over 82 games, the difference between a bottom-five power play and even a league-average one is several goals and for a bubble team, that's usually the difference between sneaking in and watching the playoffs from home.
Toronto seems to live and die by close games, and those lack of power play goals are hurting their chances of being able to build a foundation or sneak away with a win.
The good news is their PK has been rock-solid, and if they can keep the opposition at bay when they have power plays, it'll at least be a bit more of a balanced playing field, and some new units could spark something for Toronto.
It's not about having the star power and overloading the opposition anymore. It's about trying to find something that works, because clearly whatever it is they're doing isn't.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 7 | 802 ANSWERS If the Maple Leafs don't fix this part of their game, they can forget about making the playoffs Do you think Toronto needs to change their power play units or keep them as is? | ||
| Change it up! | 708 | 88.3 % |
| Keep as is! | 94 | 11.7 % |
| List of polls | ||