The Ugly: 2nd Defense Pairing
Sometimes the ugly can overshadow the good a team or player is doing. That just so happens to be the case for the Maple Leafs.
Considering that the defense pairing of Holl and Jake Muzzin is supposed to be Toronto’s shutdown pairing, they are not doing a very good job. The pair are a combined minus five through two games.
Although both Muzzin and Holl do some good things when they’re on the ice, it gets overshadowed by all the goals against. Obviously not all the goals against are their fault, but the underlining plus/minus record is not good.
Hopefully things will start going their way soon, starting with their game on Saturday against Ottawa.
Toronto Maple Leafs Fringe Players
Every team has a couple of players who could be in and out of the lineup all season. For the Maple Leafs, those players are Pierre Engvall and Michael Amadio.
Yes Engvall has scored a goal, but he is also a minus two with three giveaways. He will need to do more without the puck if he wants to stay in the lineup. After Saturday’s game against the Senators, it is expected that Matthews will return to the lineup. With other players shifting down in the lineup, Engvall could find himself being a healthy scratch soon.
Amadio has been nearly invisible for the Maple Leafs. In two games, he has played a total of 18 minutes, has just one shot attempt, one hit and two giveaways. Amadio is not expected to generate offense, but if he stays invisible then it could be him who becomes the healthy scratch once Matthews returns.
Final Thoughts
Yes there are some areas of concern that the Maple Leafs need to address, but it has only been two games. There is still plenty of season ahead of them.
If these problem continue beyond the ten game mark, then it could be time to start worrying. Overall I think the team has played well, and hopefully good things will happen more often once Matthews is back in the lineup.