3 Toronto Maple Leafs That Could be X Factors in the Playoffs
There is less than one week to go until the Toronto Maple Leafs start their play in series against the Columbus Blue Jackets, and there could be some x factors for the Leafs.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are set to play game one of their play in series on August 2nd, and it should be a joy to watch them again.
However, with playoffs there is always players who either shock everyone and produce at a high rate or even a couple of players who are x factors in the series.
Before they start their series, here are three Toronto Maple Leafs who could be major x factors in the play in series against the Blue Jackets.
3. Jason Spezza – 37 years old – C
2019-20 stats – 58 GP – 9 G – 16 A – 25 PTS – 50.25% CF% (all stats naturalstattrick.com).
At my number three spot, I have Jason Spezza.
What a great season for Spezza this year, at least after Sheldon Keefe came on board. Despite entering his late 30s he is still a great player in this league, posting 25 points in 58 games this year in a somewhat limited role on the fourth line, and getting some power play time on the second unit.
His presence not only on the ice, but in the locker room has gone a long way for this Maple Leafs team this year. With the departure of Patrick Marleau and Ron Hainsey, having another veteran in Jason Spezza was a great addition. Potential future hall of famer, a lover of the game, and a great guy to be around.
These playoffs will truly show how signing Spezza in the offseason last year was a great choice, him on that fourth line generates the offence and him on the second power play unit as well includes a great passer and shooter.
He won’t be a guy that Columbus looks at as very dangerous compared to others on the team and they wont have their eyes on him 24/7 because they obviously have to keep their eyes on players like Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander.
However if they allow Spezza to get some shots and give him the space and time, he will produce and help out around too. I think he could be a sneaky player these playoffs and be an x factor for the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Stats from NHL.com)
2. Tyson Barrie – 29 years old – D
2019-20 stats – 70 GP – 5 G – 34 A – 39 PTS – 53.27% CF%
At my number two spot on this list I have the man who a lot of people hated on this season for absolutely no reason, Tyson Barrie.
It was quite the up and down season for Barrie this year with it being his first year on the Toronto Maple Leafs, he was put in a bad situation with Mike Babcock as head coach but once Sheldon Keefe came, Barrie broke through and produced like Barrie in years prior.
When Barrie got traded to Toronto in the Nazem Kadri deal, Toronto fans were so excited mainly because they were seeing a defensemen coming to Toronto who shoots right.
It didn’t work out so well, at least not with Babcock behind the bench.
However, since Keefe has been named coach, Barrie has picked up from where he left off from his Colorado days, and if he can continue that into the playoffs that will be huge for this Toronto Maple Leafs team.
If he can shut down the haters about the poor first half of his season and continue his point production from the second half of the season it won’t just help the team out, it’ll help Barrie out too for his free agency as he is set to become a free agent in the offseason, whenever that will be.
Barrie is sort of a quiet player on this team in my opinion, yes he’s a great player and one of the big names on this team but with other names like Matthews, Marner, Tavares, Nylander, and even Rielly people might often forget about Barrie and focus more on those other top end players and that might be a good thing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Stats from NHL.com)
1. Frederik Andersen – 30 years old – G
2019-20 stats – 52 GP – 29 W – 13 L – 7 OTL – 2.85 GAA – .909 SV% – 3 SO
At my number one and final spot on this list for three Toronto Maple Leafs who could be x factors in the playoffs, I have Frederik Andersen.
It wasn’t the greatest of seasons for Frederik Andersen and I’m pretty sure we all know that by now after watching him this year. From being consistent throughout his first three years in the blue and white, he had taken a major step back in his numbers this season and it definitely showed.
He is the back bone of this Toronto Maple Leafs team and they need him to be on his game when the team isn’t. He carries them on most nights during the regular season and if the team isn’t playing up to their potential then Andersen is going to have to stand on his head during the series against the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His inconsistency throughout this season played a huge factor in the Toronto Maple Leafs up and down season, but it wasn’t all Andersen’s fault as the team was hit with numerous injuries as well, especially on the back end.
Frederik Andersen can be a huge x factor for this team simply if he can go back to the Andersen three years prior or at least close to it and post up a GAA of maybe around 2.60 and a SV% of around .915%.
There is no way the Toronto Maple Leafs will win this series against Columbus if they don’t get good goaltending from Andersen.
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Who do you think could be an x factor for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs? Is it one of Jason Spezza, Tyson Barrie, or Frederik Andersen, or is it someone else on the team?