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Toronto Maple Leafs: Jack Campbell Is Proving That He Is Top Goalie

By Jeremy Ridgewell

TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - MAY 31: Jack Campbell #36 of the Toronto Maple Leafs scrambles to get back into position for a rebound against the Montreal Canadiens during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 31, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Canadiens defeated the Map[le Leafs 3-1 to win series 4 games to 3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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At the start of last season, Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Jack Campbell set an NHL record by winning his first 11 games.

That 11-0 record helped Campbell go on to finish the season with a 17-3-2 record.
(Stats from: Hockey-Reference.com). Campbell’s performance during the 2020-21 season allowed the Toronto Maple Leafs to move on from Frederik Andersen. Andersen was Toronto’s starter for five seasons but missed a large chunk of last season due to injury.

That injury to Andersen allowed Campbell to grab the starters job and never look back. Campbell has been lights out for Toronto since arriving from the Los Angeles Kings. The more success he has in Toronto, the better that trade looks for Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas.

Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Campbell has a record of 22-5-4 with a 2.14 GAA and a .923 SV%. This will be his first full season as a starting goaltender and he is looking to make the most of it.

Toronto Maple Leafs Need Campbell to Stay Healthy

Going into this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs did not have enough salary cap space to sign an experienced starting goaltender, and with Campbell playing so well, why would they have wanted to anyways? Since they liked Campbell, but can’t rely on someone with such a limited track record,  the team signed Petr Mrazek to work in tandem with Campbell.

With Toronto starting the season with back to back games, Campbell got the start for the first game of the season, while Mrazek got the second game. Near the end of the second period in game two, Mrazek hurt his groin and had to leave the game. Campbell came in to play the third period and he did not allow any goals against. The Leafs still lost that game 3-2 even though they put 47 shots on net.

Mrazek’s groin injury will keep him out of the lineup for 14 days. The Toronto Maple Leafs have to hope that Campbell can stay healthy. He will have to play more of a starters role with Mrazek out and Michael Hutchinson as his backup.

During the 14 days that Mrazek will be out, the Leafs only have one set of back to back games. They will play the San Jose Sharks on October 22nd followed by a trip to Pittsburgh to play the Penguins on October 23rd. Hutchinson will likely get one of those games in Mrazek’s absence.

As long as Campbell stays healthy, he will play five of the six games that Mrazek will miss. Mrazek should be back by the time the Toronto Maple Leafs play the Vegas Golden Knights on November 2nd.

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I have been really impressed by Jack Campbell since arrived in Toronto. Last season was exceptional and I hope he has a great 2021-22 season. Hopefully Mrazek’s injury is not serious and the team is just being over cautious early on in the season. Toronto needs this goaltending tandem to work, and that means that hopefully they both stay healthy.

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