Fansided

Some Things to Keep in Mind As Toronto Maple Leafs Season Gets Set to Resume

By James Tanner |
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings tends the net against William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 05: Jonathan Quick #32 of the Los Angeles Kings tends the net against William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period at Staples Center on March 05, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs last played back in March.

For those who forget, the NHL’s most underrated team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, beat the Tampa Bay Lightning before entering quarantine.

As the NHL announced the date training camp would resume today, I figured it would be a good time to remind the world about the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Some key info for the doubters and believers both.

Toronto Maple Leafs Facts to Keep in Mind

Going by points-percentage, and measuring from the day Sheldon Keefe took over, the Toronto Maple Leafs finished 8th overall in the entire league.

They did this despite receiving a career worst season from former all-star Freddie Andersen, and a team ranking in the mid-twenties for 5v5 save percentage.

Teams that finish higher in the standings than they are ranked in 5v5 save percentage will always perform well in the future.

The Leafs put that record up even though they played 23 games without Morgan Rielly, and nine games without both of their top two defenseman.

When you measure the most important team stats – 5v5 Corsi, shot, expected goal, scoring chance and high-danger scoring chance percentages – the Leafs are at the  top of the NHL, just behind Tampa, and ahead of Boston.

Despite the injuries, the Leafs (bad luck results aside) played equal to the NHL’s two best teams.

So imagine if the Leafs actually got just league average goaltending, and Morgan Rielly didn’t get injured  – that is a team that would more than likely be challenging for the President’s Trophy.

Despite a genius faction of the Leafs fan base that believes hockey peaked with Colton Orr, this is a team that is a legitimate Stanley Cup Contender.

They kick the playoffs off against the Blue Jackets, easily the worst team in the East to be making the playoffs.

Of course they could lose, but the Blue Jackets are  pretty bad team propped up by a rookie goalie on a bender.  If Elvis Merzlikens or whoever they end up playing has a hot series, they could win.

But the only way the Leafs are not advancing is if they get “goalied,” but the same can literally be said about every heavy favorite in every series, ever.

Next. The Biggest Factor In Every Sport. dark

I will finish this by reminding everyone that former undeserved scapegoat and all-round beautiful human William Nylander was amazing in the playoffs last season, and was suddenly became a power-forward this season, as he led the NHL in net-front goals, while significantly outplaying both Mitch Marner and John Tavares.

Go Leafs Go!

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