Insider Reveals why the Toronto Maple Leafs Always win Without Morgan Rielly
The Leafs are on an incredible hot streak, winning their past 5 games without defensive leader Morgan Rielly, and this NHL insider has just suggested why they win without him.
Nick Kypreos Says Leafs Defense is More Disciplined Without Morgan Rielly
The Leafs have responded resoundingly to the suspension of their defensive leader Morgan Rielly, winning all 5 of the games that he was suspended for after his crosscheck in the disappointing loss to the Ottawa Senators. Now, Nick Kypreos has taken to a podcast to suggest that the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive unit plays more disciplined when Rielly is not in the lineup.
Here is what he had to say.
"It's not exactly a small sample size here, it's significant... I think they are more disciplined without Rielly," said Kypreos of the Leafs' blueline without Rielly. "I think it's just the fact that they know who they are back there and they aren't trying to do anything out of the ordinary. No one is trying to be a Morgan Rielly and skate coast-to-coast. You'd think you could convince these guys to be as disciplined (when Rielly is in the lineup).
There is only one green light here and it belongs to Morgan Rielly. I don't know if it's contagious that once one defenseman sees Morgan have a bit a freedom to go behind the net or jump up in the play or pinch that everyone goes along for the ride as well."
The takeaway here could be true, the Leafs' defence knew they had to step up in Rielly's absence, and they did the best way they knew how, as stay-at-home defensemen.
Leafs On the Hunt to Find First Pairing Defenseman for Rielly
What is also clear about the last few games is that the Leafs have the defensive chops to win games, if the pairings can stay the way they have been over the last 5 game stretch. This means that Brad Treliving should go out and acquire a true first-pairing defenseman to play with Rielly, and the Leafs will have a solid foundation on the blueline to help them succeed.
We will see what Brad Treliving can do at the deadline, and how the Leafs will perform tonight against the Golden Knights.
As seen on Maple Leafs Daily - "Insider reveals why the Leafs are so good without Morgan Rielly in the lineup"
POLL |
Do you think the Leafs will trade for a defenseman? |
Yes | 515 | 78.4 % |
No | 142 | 21.6 % |
List of polls |
|
5 minutes ago | By Chris Gerics Nazem Kadri the Third-Line Center the Leafs Have Been Searching For: Former Leaf Hints at a Potential Comeback |
|
6 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Toronto Maple Leafs Defenseman Comments on Possibility of Being Traded |
|
8 hours ago | By Chris Gerics New York Islanders' Mike Reilly Carried Off After Scary Collision vs. Buffalo Sabres |
|
10 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Elliotte Friedman Confirms Maple Leafs Have a Strong Chance of Trading Defenseman |
|
11 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Toronto Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Addresses William Nylander's Push for Increased Ice Time |
|
12 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Analyst Urges Canadiens to Trade Arber Xhekaj Ahead of Matchup With Washington Capitals |
|
13 hours ago | By Chris Gerics Nick Robertson Trade: No Room Left for the Winger on Toronto Maple Leafs' Line-up with Two Forwards Incoming |
|
14 hours ago | By Daniel Lucente New York Islanders Star Mathew Barzal Sidelined by Mysterious Injury with No Set Return Date |
Previously on HockeyPatrol