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Maple Leafs vs Habs, Game 1 Analysis: Who Is Playing And Why

By William Cann

TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens fights Wayne Simmonds #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - JANUARY 13: Ben Chiarot #8 of the Montreal Canadiens fights Wayne Simmonds #24 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on January 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-4 in overtime. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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Toronto Maple Leafs
CALGARY, AB – APRIL 4: (L-R) Mitch Marner #16, Auston Matthews #34 and T.J. Brodie #78 of the Toronto Maple Leafs  . (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images) /

Leafs: Power-play

Unit 1:  Hyman/Matthews/Marner/Thornton/Sandin

Unit 2:  Simmonds/Tavares/Nylander/Spezza/Rielly

Sheldon Keefe is going back to the two unit philosophy that was so successful in the early part of the season (official tweet is here).  He liked the balance and internal competition it provided.  He did mention in his media availability that there will be times he will load up a single PP when it makes sense to do so, but that he wants to keep players fresh and active.  I really like this move.  Better late than never, I guess.

Another change is the move to make the net front presence a priority again.  Both Simmonds and Hyman were very effective early on in creating havoc in the crease, and this allows the skill players to effectively play 4 on 3 because it forces the PK to keep a D in front of the net at all times.

Swapping Sandin and Rielly is another change that gives the PP a different look.  I like having Sandin with Matthews because he will shoot more.  This takes some of the focus off of Matthews, which can eventually open things up for him.  Hyman is there to make plays at the net when Sandin does shoot.  This is a good set up.

The real key for the PP to get back on track is to retrieve pucks at a higher rate.  They need to get pucks back after shots and deflections so they can shoot again while the PK is scrambling.  That is why so many goals are scored after puck retrieval.

Typically, the PK is set up in a structure of their choosing initially, but after the puck works around and is shot, players begin to scramble and fight for loose pucks.  That’s when they are disorganized, so if you win the puck battle, the next offensive attempt is more dangerous.

This is so important to a deadly PP, and the Toronto Maple Leafs were very good at this earlier in the year when the PP was a force to be reckoned with.  They need to get back to that level of work ethic.  I expect that they will.

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