Editor In Leaf
Fansided

4 Reasons Why Toronto Maple Leafs Succeeded and Sabres Didn’t

By Stephen Nixon

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks for a puck to tip at Linus Ullmark #35 of the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks for a puck to tip at Linus Ullmark #35 of the Buffalo Sabres during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 17, 2019 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Sabres 5-3.(Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Rasmus Ristolainen #55 of the Buffalo Sabres. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – NOVEMBER 30: Rasmus Ristolainen #55 of the Buffalo Sabres. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

#4. Goaltending

There’s a reason why the Buffalo Sabres began to falter when Ryan Miller left, and the Toronto Maple Leafs began to get better when Frederick Andersen arrived.

Let’s compare the Sabres and Leafs goaltenders since the 2014-15 for goaltenders who started at least 20 games.

Buffalo Sabres 

  • Jhonas Enroth
  • Michal Neuvirth
  • Linus Ullmark
  • Robin Lehner
  • Chad Johnson
  • Anders Nilsson
  • Carter Hutton

Toronto Maple Leafs

  • Jonathan Bernier
  • James Reimer
  • Garret Sparks
  • Frederick Andersen

In six seasons, the Sabres had seven goaltenders that started 20 or more games, where the Leafs only had four.

Between the 2014-15 and 2015-16 season, Bernier and Reimer essentially split time as the starter for the Leafs and then once Frederick Andersen arrived for the 2016-17 season, he has been the starter ever since.

The Sabres on the other hand have not been able to find a true number-one and once they actually found really good goaltending in Robin Lehner, he immediately signed with the New York Islanders.

For Buffalo fans, they hope that Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the goaltender of the future for them, but he still doesn’t look ready for the NHL, as he’s played most of his games in the ECHL this year.

The Maple Leafs biggest concern for goaltending right now is whether or not they are going to be able to afford to sign Andersen after next year. The Leafs have Joseph Woll and Ian Scott in the prospect pool for goaltenders of the future, but they won’t be ready for the NHL for a while.

As you can see, a goaltender is crucial to making the playoffs and until the Sabres find a steady goaltender, they won’t be in the postseason anytime soon.

Home/Editorials