The Toronto Maple Leafs have had themselves quite the season so far this year, and a big reason for their success is their backup goalies, specifically, the performance of Jack Campbell.
The Toronto Maple Leafs picked up yet another win as they beat the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 on Tuesday night and are now 8-0-1 in their last nine games.
After going through a tough stretch of games and having a record of 1-6-0 in their previous seven games prior to their current nine-game point streak, the Leafs have found themselves on the right track again and are currently 27-10-3 (57 points).
Jack Campbell has led the way over this recent winning streak, andis now 10-0-0 on the season after making Toronto Maple Leafs history Tuesday night.
Campbell’s hot Start to Season
Jack Campbell picked up his tenth win of the 2020-21 season Tuesday night and has now improved to 10-0-0 on the season, posting a league-best (with a minimum of 10 starts) a 1.58 GAA and a .944 SV%.
It’s very safe to say Jack Campbell is on an absolute heater right now with the way he’s played in the net and with the way the whole team has played in front of him as well whenever he is in the crease.
The narrative around backup goalies in Toronto has been positive this season because of the play of both Jack Campbell and Michael Hutchinson so far. Both goalies have combined for a 14-2-1 record, a 1.94 GAA, and a .933 SV%, something we didn’t see last season.
With the poor performance of Frederik Andersen this season and now the injury to him as well, backup goaltending is huge, especially for a team like Toronto that has struggled with consistency from their backup goalies in seasons past.
However, the Leafs now have reliable goaltending help outside of just Frederik Andersen, and it will defiantly help them go a long way when you have more than one goalie that is putting up wins. (All stats from Hockey-Reference.com)
Campbell’ Breaks Toronto Maple Leafs Records
Now let’s talk about the records Campbell broke on Tuesday night after defeating the Montreal Canadiens. Jack Campbell made Toronto Maple Leafs history by securing his tenth straight win of the season.
He now holds the franchise record for the most consecutive wins by a Maple Leafs goalie in a season, and the most consecutive wins by a Maple Leafs goalie to start a season as well with 10.
He has also tied Carey Price for the most consecutive wins to start a season league-wide with 10. Price set that record back during the start of the 2016-17 season with the Montreal Canadiens.
So not only did Jack Campbell make Maple Leafs history Tuesday night by breaking two franchise records, but he has also tied an NHL record with a future Hall of Fame goalie in Carey Price as well.
When Campbell was traded to Toronto last February, there were probably a lot of people who didn’t really know what they were going to get in him. Well, fast forward a bit over a year later and he’s been such a valuable piece to this Maple Leafs team on and off the ice.
His relationship with the players on the team has been on display this season and it is honestly a good thing for us to see. The boys always talk about how much they love Campbell as a friend and a teammate and how incredible he has been playing this season.
His performance ever since being acquired here has been top-notch as he owns a 13-2-1 record in 16 starts and has posted a 1.97 GAA and a .933 SV% too.
Campbell is having a great season, and the only question left at this point is if he keeps the net when Freddie Andersen returns.