New Stats Reveal Major Red Flags for Maple Leafs Ahead Stanley Cup Playoffs
Photo credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
As the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw closer and closer, there is a worrying stat that fans have noticed with goaltenders Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz.
In case you haven't heard, the Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner. For the Toronto Maple Leafs, it will be their latest opportunity to exercise their demons of first round playoff series' past.
Fans are well familiar with the sad truth that the Leafs have won a single postseason round since 2004. It's a fact that there will be major changes to the organization if they should once again falter early and fail to go on an extended run.
With the playoffs on deck, a worrying statistic has Leafs fans concerned, and it doesn't bode well for the future.
Maple Leafs Strength Has Turned Into A Dangerous Weakness
The goaltending duo of Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz has mostly performed well this year, but things haven't gone as well for them in the last month.
Via Sportsnet's Luke Fox, one key statistic for both goalies has taken a nosedive in the last 30 days:
Maple Leafs, save percentages
Anthony Stolarz
February: .925
March: .882
Joseph Woll
February: .921
March: .888
Anthony Stolarz
February: .925
March: .882
Joseph Woll
February: .921
March: .888
Woll, who entered the year first on Toronto's depth chart following the summer departure of Ilya Samsonov, has gone 24-13-1 with a 2.80 GAA and a .905 SV%; Stolarz, playing in his inaugural year with the Leafs, has gone 15-8-3 with a 2.40 GAA and .917 SV%.
Both goaltenders have a single shutout each.
First year Toronto head coach Craig Berube hasn't indicated which goaltender he's leaning toward to get the start in their opening round postseason series; their opponent has yet to be determined.
Berube mentioned that the goaltending hasn't been up to snuff since the 4 Nations and that the two goalies are going to have their rough patches through an 82-game slate:
It's a little up and down. They've had really good games, too. It's a bit like our game-just a little too inconsistent at times. But, hey, they've played really well for us this year. They've been solid. They're going to have off nights, like everyone else does.
Which is going to be a critical factor considering that both goaltenders have been inconsistent as of late, and with both men struggling at times, and against weaker opponents nonetheless, it's a tough path to navigate for Berube and the Leafs.
But whoever it is, they'll be carrying a considerable task upon their shoulders, and one that may bear too heavy at the worst possible time.
| POLL | ||
MARS 29 | 527 ANSWERS New Stats Reveal Major Red Flags for Maple Leafs Ahead Stanley Cup Playoffs Who should start the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the Maple Leafs? | ||
| Joseph Woll | 73 | 13.9 % |
| Anthony Stolarz | 454 | 86.1 % |
| List of polls | ||