A Very Early Look at the Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play Options
The Toronto Maple Leafs First Unit
In the 1-3-1 setup the Leafs deploy on the Power Play, each spot has a distinctive role that contributes to the success of the unit as a hole. While last season saw certain players struggle to adapt to new roles, there’s not likely to be any major shakeups when it comes to the 6th ranked PP in the NHL. However, with Joe Thornton and Wayne Simmonds added to the fold, anything could happen should someone struggle or get injured.
On the Wings:
Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner have paired up to form a lethal duo on the Power Play, racking up 90 PP points over the past two seasons, and nobody should expect that to change anytime soon. Matthews possesses the lethal shot, capable of beating goalies from any angle. Marner on the other hand sucks defenders towards him before finding an open teammate for a scoring opportunity. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
Expect them to line up on their off wings, as they did last season, to set up the cross seam one-timer. They shouldn’t get too focused on that play however, as that was a contributing factor to the Power Play becoming stagnant last season.
Net-Front:
William Nylander finally got going on the PP in this spot, putting up 17 points when the Leafs had the extra man last season. This was Nylander’s best performance on the Power Play since 2016-2017, when he and Auston Matthews were paired together, and he put up 27 PPP. (Stats via Hockey-Reference)
Getting Nylander going is always going to be a key for the Leafs, as although he has always been able to put up great statistics, he can sometimes play tentatively when the team doesn’t get him involved early. This is the same on the PP, where an aggressive Nylander can be a difference-maker entering the zone. He’s also proven adept at sucking defenders below the goal-line, opening up space for Marner, Matthews and Tavares to get open.
Bumper:
As already mentioned, John Tavares didn’t appear totally comfortable in this spot last season. However, the Leafs don’t have anyone who can better play the role, and traded away the only player who possibly could in Andreas Johnsson.
The importance of the bumper position is not to be understated, as it opens up a treasure chest of options for the first unit. When they were rolling last season, it was because Marner and Matthews began looking to work the puck into the middle – either directly to Tavares, or via Nylander down low – and scrambling the defenders.
With Tavares’ skill level and shot, the Leafs’ ability to create space for him in the middle is crucial to unlocking another level for this first unit.
On the Point:
With Tyson Barrie headed to Edmonton, and his replacement (T.J. Brodie) not being a major Power Play threat, Morgan Rielly is back to his comfortable perch atop this talented Leafs first unit. Although he doesn’t possess the powerful shot of a typical Power Play defensemen, Rielly is constantly moving in the offensive zone and always a threat flying around on the rush, and his shot is always accurate.
Rielly was a lethal playmaker for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the two seasons prior to last on the PP, speeding into the offensive zone for easy setups and drawing defenders to him before dishing out to one of Matthews, Marner or Nylander. With such talented forwards around him, Rielly does a great impression of a Point Guard, making sure the offence is running efficiently and effectively.