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The Toronto Maple Leafs Problem on the Power Play is “Blank”

By Nick Barden

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 9: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his shootout goal with the bench against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Scotiabank Arena on November 9, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 9: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his shootout goal with the bench against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Scotiabank Arena on November 9, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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I have to say it — the Toronto Maple Leafs power play sucks right now.

After hiring Paul McFarland in the summer fans, players and management thought the Toronto Maple Leafs power play would be among the best in the NHL.

Well, how the turntables (it’s a ‘the office’ reference).

It’s been excruciating to watch a team, who has one of the best power plays (in terms of players deployed) see them go 12 for 68 so far this season.

This is an article where I’m going to list my points of why I think the power play is bad, then I want to know, whether you agree or disagree.

My problems with the power play:

The units and their TOI: Every game, the Leafs usually get at least one power play let’s say. It’s then wasted because once a minute goes by, Mike Babcock takes the first unit off and brings the second unit on.

What’s the point?

Auston Matthews sits 23rd on this list with only 54.32%. Whether it’s Babcock or McFarland, someone thinks it’s a good idea to play both units equally, while the 1st unit scores a lot more.

Don’t believe me? For this research, I’ve taken Mitch Marner (injured) out and inserted William Nylander, who’s now on the first PP unit (2nd PP numbers do not involve Nylander).

PP1: 9G, 15A, 24P

PP2: 1G, 3A, 4P

It doesn’t make any sense to take the first unit off one minute in. They’re definitely not tired, but I think we are of seeing the first unit go off almost right away.

The drop pass: For many years now, we’ve witnessed the drop pass, where Morgan Rielly will skate to centre, then drop it for either Matthews or Marner.

It just doesn’t work anymore.

While it’s supposed to help zone entries, it doesn’t. Half of the time, it looks both Matthews and Marner aren’t ready for the pass, but they recover and accept it. But for myself, it’s been used for a long time now and teams know it’s coming, so they just stand at the blue line and wait.

It’s a problem when every team has studied your power play and it doesn’t work anymore, which we saw last year (and we thought that was bad). Fast forward to this year; it’s a lot worse.

It’s time for change.

With Marner being out for six weeks, this could very well help the power play. And right now you may be saying: “Nick you’re crazy!”

And while I might be — hear me out.

We’re at a point now where injuries have built up and the team is going dry (in terms of goal scoring). The first power play unit should now assess it’s dominance and show that there’s no need for a 2nd unit right now.

Next. Toronto Maple Leafs: Is the Brendan Shanahan Plan Flawed. dark

Why should the coaching staff give time to a unit that has one goal in 56 chances? You tell me. But right now, the question is why?

I’d like to know what the reasoning is because if there’s at least a valid one, I will understand. Right now though, I’m confused and very frustrated with how this power play is being run.

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