The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen did what he does best last night, winning games.
The Toronto Maple Leafs topped their last “division rival” last night, beating them 1-0. In a game, which like the first meeting, became the battle of the goaltenders, Frederik Andersen took revenge on Luongo. Registering his fifth shutout of the year, Andersen earned (I can’t emphasize that enough) his team the win.
It is an amazing feeling to have an elite goaltender, it has been so long since the Toronto Maple Leafs have been able to say that. Without Andersen, the Leafs would probably not sit so comfortable in the third-place seed of the Atlantic Division. Without Andersen, they’re not even a playoff team, probably.
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Unworthy
Last night proved once again that the Toronto Maple Leafs are actually unworthy of Frederik Andersen. The Toronto Maple Leafs allowed, yet again, 40 shots on goal. It marked the fourth time in the last ten games that the Leafs allowed 40 shots or more. Being just one shot shy of five games, allowing 39 shots against in Pittsburgh. It’s bad enough I’m drawing the line at 40 shots against, 35 shots against is bad enough, this is just mind-baffling.
From the “top”10 ranked teams in average shots against per game, only four are sitting in a playoff spot. Of those four teams, I dare say at least two have an elite goaltender. Holtby for Washington (ranked 8th), and Andersen for Toronto (ranked 3th).
If Toronto really wants to compete in the playoffs, they need to find a way to shut the opponent’s offense down, in any other fashion than relying on Andersen.
Positive Takeaway’s
Jake Gardiner registered his 200th career-point last night with an assist on the sole goal of the game, scored by James van Riemsdyk. With his 25th goal of the season, van Riemsdyk showed why he is and should not be available at the trade deadline.
Mike Babcock is starting to fully trust the Auston Matthews line. Matthews line, who were the ice-time leader among forwards, got the tough match-up against the top line of the Panthers, although on home-ice, why Babcock would do that is a mystery. Intentionally playing your best player against Sasha Barkov seems like the opposite of good coaching, however, Babcock probably believes in a trial-by-fire, and since the Leafs have a playoffs spot all but mathematically clinched, I guess it makes some sense.
Matthews also had a good night in the faceoff dot, winning 8 of his 11 faceoffs. Auston Matthews currently ranks 12th in the league in faceoffs. Tyler who now? Just kidding, Bozak has taken allot more faceoffs than Matthews this year, who’s is being sheltered from weak faceoff side by Nylander.
Next: Leafs Trade Deadline Strategy
Up next
The Toronto Maple Leafs will face off against the New York Islanders on Thursday and will be looking for the third straight win!
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Stats from naturalstattrick and ESPN.