Key Approaches To Each Teams 5v5 Game
Forechecking
After explaining how well the teams are both offensively and defensively at 5v5, there are a couple of key elements to the way both teams blueprint will work going into this series.
After both losses to the Bruins in 2018 and 2019, it is clear that the Bruins targeted the Toronto Maple Leafs weaker right defensemen on the forecheck hard, and ended up having plenty of success in doing so.
Just like the Bruins, the Blue Jackets are a team that has a heavy forecheck. The Blue Jackets have the second most scoring chances off the forecheck, and the most goals off the forecheck.
Because the Blue Jackets don’t have the offensive skill of other teams, they rely on waiting for the other team to make mistakes with the puck to pounce on and score on. They are unlike the Leafs who create opportunities for themselves, the Blue Jackets make the opponent create opportunities for them.
The Blue Jackets don’t score often but when they do it’s generally off the cycle or off the forecheck.
With the Toronto maple Leafs defensemen being notorious at giving up pucks in their own end, and the Leafs as a whole being among the worst teams at stopping the cycle.
This is something the Blue Jackets may be able to take full advantage of as the Blue Jackets are among the best at scoring off the cycle.
With that being said, under Sheldon Keefe, the Leafs have employed a few different and intriguing breakout strategies and seem to be better than ever before at exiting the zone with control.
The organization has put major emphasis on helping players learn to exit the zone effectively.
The Leafs are the close to the best in the business at exiting the zone with possession only trailing behind the Avalanche in this category.
With the speed and skill of the Leafs players, Sheldon Keefe has emphasized changing sides and creating as much movement as possible to open up space on the ice for either short breakout passes or even now some use of stretch passes seem to be back in the fold.
Although the way the Leafs breakout the puck is riskier than other methods, it is extremely effective and rewarding when done properly.
With the diversity on the breakout, it will be hard for the Blue Jackets to game plan against it, and any team as a matter of fact.
Blocking Shots
Blocking shots has been a key strategy for the Blue Jackets, as they block a higher percentage of shots than any other team.
With the defensive attitude the Blue Jackets generate, it is no surprise they block a large number of shots since they are able to keep other teams to the outside so effectively.
With the Leafs high octane offense it will be hard to keep the Leafs shooters without getting shots on net but I am confident the Blue Jackets won’t make it easy on the Leafs.
Almost every Blue Jackets player is competent defensively but there are some that have minor weaknesses that may not be able to keep up with the talent the Leafs have to offer.
Some of my favorite writers in the hockey world have written about how Jones is overrated pointed out exactly why. here, here and here.
With little missteps from players every once in a while which will happen more often against the Toronto Maple Leafs than not, the Blue Jackets don’t have a perfect defense.
The third clip in this video exemplifies what I am expressing, Marner completely toys with Werenski. If Marner is able to do this consistently throughout the series, the Blue Jackets may have some trouble.
Those were two keys to the games that I thought were important to point out, now I think it’s important to check out how the players match up against each other.