Editor In Leaf
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
Taylor Hall #91 of the Arizona Coyotes skates against Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

(11) Arizona Coyotes

Arizona will draw the Nashville Predators in their Qualifier series, after putting up 74 points during the regular season.  The team had a massive distraction days before the resumption of play when an absolutely bizarre story broke of GM John Chayka quitting on the team.  How that relates to playing on the ice remains to be seen, but the timing was most unwelcome for the Coyotes.

The team ranked 22nd in goals for but 3rd in goals against and relies heavily on goaltending.  The had the 18th ranked power play in the NHL this year and the fifth-ranked penalty kill. The team was 23rd in Corsi For %, an indication that they do not possess the puck well.

The biggest strength of the Coyotes is in the net.  Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta split starts almost evenly (due to Kuemper’s injury) and both posted save percentages over .920. After a blazing start to the season for Kuemper, an injury forced Raanta in and he kept the ship sailing smoothly.  Now healthy, the crease will be Kuemper’s when they drop the puck on Sunday.

The team’s defense is strong and deep led by Oliver Ekman-Larsson.  Their number two pairing of Jakob Chychrun and Alex Goligoski would be a lot of team’s top duo.

Taylor Hall is the most dangerous forward on the team after recording 27 points in 35 games.  After that, the top end talent dries out but Connor Garland, Phil Kessel, Nick Schmaltz and Clayton Keller provide some nice depth.  According to Daily Faceoff, the Coyotes have the best third line in the league.

Next. Leafs Top 10 Best Prospects. dark

Due to the strong goaltending and deep defense, this is not a team I would want to be playing in the play-in round.  Will they be able to score enough goals?  Will the sudden departure of GM John Chayka affect them on the ice? We get to find out on Sunday and I could not be more excited.

Home/Analysis