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How the Toronto Maple Leafs Stack Up Against the Competition (Part 1)

By Brad Vos

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: A detailed view of the NHL logo on the back of the goal netting before the game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena on October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 16: A detailed view of the NHL logo on the back of the goal netting before the game between the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena on October 16, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 15: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – JUNE 15: Jonathan Toews #19 of the Chicago Blackhawks. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

(12) Chicago Blackhawks

Chicago squeezed into the final spot in the West Qualifiers, despite finishing dead last in their division.  They can thank the awful seasons of the California trio for their shot.

Looking into their team stats, nothing jumps off the page at you.  They scored 208 goals while allowing 214. Chicago’s power play ranked 28th in the NHL, while their penalty kill was 9th.  The Hawks were 22nd and 24th in Corsi For % and Fenwick For %, two metrics of puck possession.

The one player on the team that opponents will have to be constantly aware of is Patrick Kane.  He leads a very strong Top 9 forward group that includes Jonathan Toews, Dominik Kubalik and Alex DeBrincat, among others.  Kane led the team with 84 points and 33 goals during the regular season.

The defense leaves me feeling very cold.  There is nobody that is a threat offensively and according to Daily Faceoff, their top 3 pairings were all below average against similar NHL pairings.

Corey Crawford will be the starter in net for Chicago.  He posted a very respectable .917 SV% but his GAA was 2.77, thanks to his defense allowing target practice night after night.

Chicago feels less likely for me to get very far than even Montreal.  Patrick Kane would have to go on a prodigious heater, or the Oilers would have to tense up at the wrong time in their Qualifier.

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