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Toronto Maple Leafs Power-Play Letting them Down

By James Tanner |
Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during a break in the action against the Washington Capitals in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (44) during a break in the action against the Washington Capitals in game four of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. Washington defeated Toronto 5-4. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Maple Leafs lost 2-1 to the Capitals last night in game five of their Playoff series.

The Toronto Maple Leafs played a pretty good game, and have played a great series. If their Power-Play was clicking, they’d already have knocked off the #1 seed.

Last night’s game was one where the Leafs could easily have won. They slightly controlled possession and it took Braden Holtby being the best player on the ice to lose the game.

For the Leafs, and their fans it’s a tough proposition: Should be we happy just to have done so well, or should be mad we aren’t going back to Toronto with the lead in the series?  Never mind the fact that with a few bounces and some luck the Leafs could be home and cooled out, waiting for their next opponent.

Toronto Maple Leafs PP Decline

The Capitals have played OK defense, but as the old adage goes: Your goalie is your best penalty killer.

Last night, the Leafs had four power-plays, and one goal gives them a series lead.  Credit where it’s due, however: Holtby was amazing.

The Leafs, so far in the series, have been 17.6% on the PP. They have scored just three goals in five games, on 17 opportunities.

The Capitals, conversely, have scored on an unacceptable 33% of their PPs. They are five for 15.

This is good news going forward.  In the NHL, you don’t do much better than 1/5 on the PP.  The Leafs were the NHL’s 2nd best PP this season with a 23.8%.   This means that the Leafs are bound to get better while the Caps are bound to get worse.

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It’s just odds:  The Leafs PP is better than it’s shown, as is their PK.  This gives the Leafs a slight edge for the next game.  No guarantees, but the odds are that going forward the Leafs will raise their Power-Play percentage and their Penalty-Kill percentage.

If you look at the stats for the whole series, the special teams has been the difference. Ironic, if you think about it, because the Toronto Maple Leafs are such a heavy underdog and yet, they were the best special-teams team in the NHL this year.

If the only difference is special-teams, and that’s the area where the Leafs are superior, then I think the Leafs have a really good chance of extending this series Sunday in Toronto.

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