Toronto Maple Leafs: Week 7 News and Notes, Stats and Quotes
By William Cann
Frederik Andersen, Toronto Maple Leafs (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
Player of the Week: 3 Goalies.
The reality behind the Toronto Maple Leafs success this week is that it was not because of any one player.
It was a complete team effort and an impressive one at that. All 18 skaters played defense. All four lines contributed. To give this award to the “team” is tough to do, so by default I will give this award to the goalie, or in this case, the 3 goalies.
My player of the week goes to Jack Campbell, Michael Hutchinson, and Frederick Andersen, for the combined destruction of the Edmonton Oilers.
The combined SV% of .987 does not tell the whole story. Most importantly, all three of these guys made key saves at key times, especially early in the 1st period when Edmonton was buzzing in all three games.
The formula was the same. Make some saves, then the Leafs score first, then the Leafs settle in to the game and dominate, then make a couple saves late to step on their necks. Rinse and repeat…3 times.
To completely, and mercilessly, thump another good team into submission on the road in 3 straight games is an incredibly difficult task. It was, to be blunt, surprisingly impressive.