Maple Leafs defenseman's struggles are costing them since Chris Tanev left
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
It's been a bit of a struggle for Jake McCabe recently, and it's starting to cost them games, and it shines a light on how important Chris Tanev's absence is.
Suffice to say it's been a tough year when it comes to injuries for the Maple Leafs but nobody has felt the sting worse than Chris Tanev, who has now had three separate long-term injuries including two concussions.
While this latest issue isn't related, it is still serious enough for him to contemplate surgery and if that's the case, the team won't see him for a bit.
And his absence is really starting to hurt the team especially since Toronto's once staunch defensive corps has started to slip recently and no one has been more disappointing than Jake McCabe.
Jake McCabe has to pull it together if Toronto is to succeed
McCabe, normally someone who is elite when it comes to shutting opponents down, has looked unlike his normal self as of late and it's costing Toronto games.
It's something that has drawn some criticism from Toronto media, with Sam McKee and JD Bunkis discussing the issue on Bunkis' podcast.
Both men talked about how McCabe's ineffectiveness recently and that if the Maple Leafs want to get back on track consistently -- it starts with their defenseman:
It's been a bad stretch for Jake McCabe. But if the Leafs are trying to put themselves in a good position before the break, they're going to need him to find it again.
Both men bring up a good point, and if you take a look at McCabe's last five games, it tells a story of a much different player.
He's had one assist, four PIM and an uncharacteristic minus-7 rating, taking his elite plus-26 rating down to plus-19 in quick order.
Jake McCabe has not been himself lately -- and Toronto can't afford that
He's been on for seven goals against, his shot blocking has taken a hit and over the last five games has statistically been the team's worst defenseman in expected goals against (6.91), goals for percentage (12.5%) and expected goals for percentage (31.38%).
While the team gives up their fair share of shots, those have become way more dangerous as opposed to the lackadaisical attempts due to that strong defense.
That's bad news for a team who is so dependent on a strong physical and defensive game, especially in their own end; if McCabe can't stop the opponents then who will?
Brandon Carlo has been better since injury, but he's pretty much the only true 'shutdown' defender left.
Morgan Rielly can't be expected to carry the responsibility, Troy Stecher can only do so much, and Simon Benoit and Philippe Myers are inconsistent at best.
The one saving grace this year has been Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and as long as he can keep up his torrid pace then Toronto can at least stay afloat.
But if they don't get help from arguably their most leaned on defender soon, it could be the catalyst that starts a free-fall down the standings and turning a once hopeful season into a miserable one.
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| POLL | ||
JANVIER 20|597 ANSWERS Maple Leafs defenseman's struggles are costing them since Chris Tanev left Is Toronto's season over if Jake McCabe can't get back to his old form? | ||
| Yes | 385 | 64.5 % |
| No | 212 | 35.5 % |
| List of polls | ||