3 Takeaways After the Toronto Maple Leafs First 3 Games
The first three games have had up’s and down’s but the fact that the Toronto Maple Leafs are 2-1 to start the season is a welcomed sight.
The absence of Auston Matthews has definitely hurt the Toronto Maple Leafs, as John Tavares and Mitch Marner combined for only two points in the team’s first three games.
However, fortunately for everyone, it looks like Matthews will return to the line-up on Monday, if not, later this week.
The beginning of every season is always going to look different than how it ends. I mean, the Buffalo Sabres and Detroit Red Wings have both looked competitive to start the year and already have wins. Those two franchises are bound for the “Fight for Shane Wright,” so it’s shocking to see them perform so well already.
Even Drew Doughty has turned back the clock with six points in two games, as he looks to make Team Canada’s Olympic roster this season.
Although we shouldn’t put a ton of stock in the first three games, they still mean something. Sheldon Keefe looks angrier than ever behind the bench right now, as his team isn’t performing to the standard that we all expect.
You always need to shake off the rust with a new year, so hopefully things get better and the return of Matthews helps gets this offense going. Seven goals in three games is fine but this team should be scoring three goals per night, minimum. (To be fair, Anton Forsberg made quite a few incredible saves in two of those games).
Here are three takeaways from the first three games.
No. 1: Leafs 3rd Line Is Good
The Toronto Maple Leafs have only allowed five goals in three games this year and a big reason for that is their third line of Pierre Engvall, David Kampf and Ondrej Kase.
When the Leafs signed Kampf and Kase this offseason, we didn’t know what to expect. Kampf was an unknown player from Chicago, while Kase was coming off multiple injuries. However, both player’s have seemed to fit into a spot on the third line nicely.
Engvall probably wouldn’t have even got this spot if Matthews wasn’t injured, but I can’t see the team breaking up this third line, even with Matthews returns.
In three games, Kampf and Kase are second and third on the team in Corsi For %, with a 58.2% and 59.3 %, respectively (stats: hockeyreference.com). Despite starting 88% and 95% of their time in the defensive zone, Kampf and Kase have been able to control the puck and play a shutdown role.
Kampf has also played a key role on the team’s penalty-kill, as he has the second most minutes, only behind Justin Holl.
The trio may only have one goal combined, with that coming from Engvall on the power-play, but offense shouldn’t be their specialty. If the three of them can continue to shutdown their opponent and play a strong defensive game, the Leafs will be primed to win low-scoring affairs all year.
No. 2: Jack Campbell is a Clear Cut No. 1 Goalie
The debate is clearly over as to whether or not Jack Campbell is a number-one goalie, as he’s been brilliant in the first three games.
Despite coming in cold against Ottawa on Thursday night, Campbell didn’t allow a goal and helped keep his team in the fight. They didn’t end up winning that night, but it was a huge confidence boost to know that Campbell is ready anytime he’s call upon.
Not only was he great in relief in Ottawa, but he’s been close to perfect in the other two games he’s started. In three appearances, Campbell has a 0.86 GAA and .968 SV%. Those numbers are obviously going to regress as the season continues, but after the first week of the season, Campbell is clearly ready for the number-one job.
Now that Petr Mrazek is out for 14 days, Campbell will have to play the majority starts and that shouldn’t scare anyone. The biggest issue the Leafs ran into in year’s past, was that they would score four goals but they’d lose 5-4 because of goaltending.
If Campbell can continue to allow two or less goals per night, Toronto’s offense is way too powerful to not score three goals a night. As a result, they’re going to win a large percentage of their games if Campbell keeps this play up.
If anyone is still questioning Campbell as the number-one guy, they need to stop it, because he’s the real deal.
No. 3: Michael Bunting Should Play on 1st Line
In three games played, Nick Ritchie has three shots on net. Paired beside Mitch Marner and John Tavares all night, that’s not good enough.
When the Toronto Maple Leafs signed Ritchie, I thought he’d be a perfect replacement for Zach Hyman. I know it’s still early, but it’s not looking that way right now. Instead, Michael Bunting looks like the player who could be the next Hyman.
In three games, Bunting has nine shots on net, one goal and one assist. Not only has he been providing steady offense, but he’s been physical. He’s not afraid to lay a hit or get into the dirty areas to score. That style of play would fit perfectly on the team’s top line.
When Matthews returns, the Leafs should go with the following:
- Michael Bunting – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
- Alex Kerfoot – John Tavares – William Nylander
- Pierre Engvall – David Kampf – Ondrej Kase
- Nick Ritchie – Jason Spezza – Wayne Simmonds
Sending Ritchie to the fourth line is a tough move to make, especially when he’s making $2.5M, but it feels like the right fit.
dark. Next. Mrazek Injury Opens Door for Campbell
Bunting deserves an opportunity to play more minutes and to play with high-skilled players, so the team should give him that shot and see what happens. If he can’t capitalize on it, then bring Ritchie back up.
However, for the meantime, Bunting is deserving of the first line left-wing job.