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Toronto Maple Leafs Roundtable: Player Most Likely to Surprise In the Playoffs

By Wilbert Timmermans

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is swarmed by his teammates after scoring the game winning overtime goal against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 11: Kasperi Kapanen #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is swarmed by his teammates after scoring the game winning overtime goal against the Arizona Coyotes during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Coyotes 3-2 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs – Auston Matthews (Photo by Mark Blinch/NHLI via Getty Images) /

Philip van Riesen

I have spent plenty of time digging into the logistics of the Leafs-Blue Jackets series and it is a very interesting matchup in terms of polar opposites going head to head.

The more and more I look into the matchup I do find that the Leafs have the edge overall.

The main reason for this is the Leafs ability to score at a higher rate than most teams. With the likes of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner, and John Tavares, the Toronto Maple Leafs are surely better at finishing their chances when they get them.

There is no world where you can look at the Blue Jackets forward group and slot them as being more effective at scoring goals. The reality is, if the Leafs are able to get the same amount of scoring chances as the Blue Jackets, they will likely come out on top with the finishing talent on the roster.

There has never been a team that has proven to stop the Leafs high powered offence, the Bruins didn’t do this last year, they just outscored the Leafs especially on special teams.

I dove into the statistics of the Blue Jackets special teams, spoiler alert, they aren’t the best.

Special teams will be another key factor to concentrate on. This brings me to my main point stating how Auston Matthews will be the guy to put them over the hump. Matthews was the Leafs most valuable player this season, and I expect him to continue his path to greatness.

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