Reason # 3
3. The Leafs allow the same or less dangerous chances than most of the team’s considered to have good defense.
Since November 21st, when the Leafs played their first game under Sheldon Keefe, here are some shocking statistics:
High Danger Shot-Attempts Allowed Per Game:
Islanders 12.11
Coyotes 11.78
Stars 11.03
Blues 10.47
Those four teams are always noted as great defensive teams by fans and media.
The Toronto Maple Leafs, who are always criticized for their defense, and who have yet to dress their best blue-line lineup, allow 10.72 dangerous shot-attempts per game.
That is less dangerous chances per game than three of the supposed best defensive teams in hockey, and roughly one shot-attempt every four games worse than the Cup Champs.
If that isn’t evidence that the Leafs blue-line problems are far more about perception than reality, I don’t know what to say.
All the supposedly great defensive teams have one thing in common: they get great goaltending. This makes their defense seem better than it is.
The Leafs haven’t got that yet, but upgrading their blue line won’t contribute very much to whether or not that happens. (All stats naturalstattrick.com).