The Toronto Maple Leafs have played 29 games, and they sit four points back of the Tampa Bay Lightning with a game in hand.
On top of being in second place in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs are second in the NHL. Because the NHL seeds it’s teams in the stupidest possible way, despite being in second overall, the Leafs would open the playoffs against the sixth best team. Some reward.
Despite their questionable defense, the Leafs are second in the NHL with a +28 goal differential, only two goals worse than Tampa. Of course it’s necessary to point out that it won’t be until the 30th game of the season that the Leafs actually dress their best lineup.
While posting a decent home record, the Leafs have the best road record in the NHL at 11-3-0. They have not played in a shoot-out this year, and recorded their first loser point the other night against the Red Wings. Tampa has had to go to a shoot-out twice, and has an overtime loss, but the third place team has lost five times OT.
Statistical Analysis
The Leafs have allowed 78 goals against, which is sixth in the NHL. They have the third most goals.
They are tied at 20 for the most wins in OT + Regulation. On the negative side, the Toronto Maple Leafs are 18th in the NHL in CF%, meaning that they require higher than normal shooting and save percentages to win. It would be helpful for the sustainability of their record to improve here.
The Leafs are 20th in shots-for per game, and second worst in shots-against per game. They are basically playing with fire with these stats, and unless corrected I think it’s mathematically unlikely they will continue to be at the top of the standings.
At the same time, the additions of Matthews and Nylander are highly likely to correct these stats, at least a little. A trade for a defenseman would also help, as Ron Hainsey is not even close to be worthy of playing on a top pairing.
This has been your Toronto Maple Leafs stats and standings update. Overall, I’d say it’s pretty good for the Leafs who are clearly the best team in the NHL, at least on paper.
Remember, that even though they are second to Tampa, they have largely been forced to play without two of their best players. They are by far the heavy mathematical favorites to win the Stanley Cup.
Stats from naturalstattrick.com
Standings and Stats from NHL.com
Check out the Leafs in the Fansided Fandom 250!