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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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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 22: skates against the New York Rangers .; (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 22: skates against the New York Rangers .; (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

(11) New York Rangers

The New York Rangers are the East’s #11 seed and draw a tough matchup versus the Hurricanes in the play-in round.  It should be noted that the Rangers beat the Hurricanes in regulation in all four of their regular-season matchups.

New York can light the lamp.  They were 5th in the NHL in goals for during the regular season.  Where they struggled was goals allowed, as they gave up the eighth-most in the NHL.  The Rangers had the 7th ranked power play and 23rd rated penalty kill.   They are a terrible puck possession team, ranking 28th in the league in both Corsi For % and Fenwick For %.

The strength of this team is in their top-six forwards.   Artemi Panarin led the team with 95 points, while Mika Zibanejad tallied 41 goals.  Ryan Strome, Pavel Buchnevich and Chris Kreider provide nice scoring depth.  After the first two lines, the Rangers forwards fall off a cliff.

Brendan Smith and Jacob Trouba formed one of the worst number one defensive pairings in the NHL.  All is not lost on the back end however as Adam Fox and Anthony DeAngelo are some of the most promising young defensemen in the league.  The two combined for 95 points and really help the power play click.

As of this writing, it is still not known who will be starting in net.  It would appear it will be 24-year old Igor Shesterkin over King Henrik Lundqvist.  Shesterkin posted a gaudy .932 save percentage in 12 starts this season, but is completely untested in the playoffs.

The play-in series with Carolina is one of the most fascinating for me.  I could see it going either way.  New York certainly has the firepower to keep up with any team, but will the defence and an unproven goaltender be able to hold up in playoff conditions?

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