The 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of a sensational season, almost seemingly setting franchise records left and right and down the middle (with faceoffs).
To the surprise of some (many?), the NHL only began tracking faceoff statistics in 1997-98. Since that time, only two franchises have finished the regular season with a winning percentage above 56%:
- 56.1% – 2001-02 Carolina Hurricanes
- 56.4% – 2012-13 Boston Bruins
Dig a little deeper, and you’ll find that the Toronto Maple Leafs have never led the league in FOW%; in fact, the highest they’ve ever placed was 2nd, with a franchise-high of 53% in 2018-19.
Toronto Maple Leafs and Faceoffs
Recall 2018-19 if you will: John Tavares’ first year in blue and white. And with his arrival, the Leafs strength down the middle would finally be formidable for the foreseeable future anchored by the 1-2 punch of Tavares-Matthews (players in order of FOW):
- 2018-19 – 53% (2nd): Tavares (833) – Matthews (475) – Kadri (403) – Gauthier (240)
- 2019-20 – 52.5% (3rd): Tavares (617) – Matthews (506) – Spezza (215) – Gauthier (208)
- 2020-21 – 51.1% (10th): Tavares (471) – Matthews (450) – Spezza (275) – Kerfoot (124)
For the 2021-22 Toronto Maple Leafs, not much has changed; if anything, they’ve improved.
Midway through, they are 1st overall with a 55.9 FOW% and on track to set franchise milestones, as they attempt to be the third team with a 56 FOW% while chasing the NHL record for team FOW% in a season:
- Toronto Maple Leafs – 55.9%
- Dallas Stars – 54.8%
- Carolina Hurricanes – 54.3%
- Boston Bruins – 53.9%
- Philadelphia Flyers – 53.2%
Strength Down the Middle
At the halfway point of the season, the Leafs top-4 centermen are all within the top 25 in the league (at least 320 FO).
Here’s taking looking at each of them sandwiched in the middle of their leader and trailer; needless to say, the force is strong with this bunch.
John Tavares
Enjoying a bounce-back campaign and crushing his career average of 52.5% in the circle, John Tavares is joining the best of the best in the dot this season at #2 in the league.
1. Patrice Bergeron – 973 FO, 63%
2. John Tavares – 685 FO, 61.5%
3. Claude Giroux – 672 FO, 60.7%
Auston Matthews
Enjoying the best season in the dot of his young career, Matthews is showing just how capable he is at winning faceoffs. Year over year, he has been incrementally improving, from a season-low of 46.9% in his rookie campaign of 2016-17.
13. Ryan O’Reilly – 877 FO, 56.4%
14. Austin Matthews – 624 FO, 56.3%
15. Bo Horvat – 939 FO, 55.7%
David Kampf
The “big” acquisition of the off-season: the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally found their face-off specialist. Kampf has locked down key short-handed and defensive faceoffs – amongst league leaders in both categories – while also enjoying a career year with faceoffs.
17. Aleksander Barkov – 698 FO, 55.6%
18. David Kampf – 572 FO, 55.2%
19. Vincent Trocheck – 676 FO, 55.2%
Jason Spezza
Having Kampf take over the heavy burden of controlling key defensive situational faceoffs has allowed Spezza to play a more favorable and flexible role. Though not anywhere near his career-high of 58.2% (Dallas Stars, 2018-19), he’s still performing above career average 53.9%.
23. Joe Pavelski – 401 FO, 54.6%
24. Jason Spezza – 337 FO, 54.6%
25. Boone Jenner – 860 FO, 54.4%
Need to Solidify
When the Leafs and Tavares went down in last season’s playoffs, the team’s lack of center-depth was exposed – and so, they went out and got Kampf.
Center is strong with this team – as strong as it has ever been – but it needs safeguarding.
With all due respect to Kerfoot (74 FO, 37.8%) and Engvall (48 FO, 41.7%), they’re next in line, and as history shows, they’re not who you want taking faceoffs (and Kerfoot is much better playing the wing).
If the Leafs want to safeguard their strength down the middle, they’ll need to go shopping: someone to move up and down the lineup when called upon – not an easy get given the Leafs cap and roster considerations (dare I say, Eric Staal?).
The Leafs are enjoying a crazy-good season (so far), and it would devastate Leafs Nation to see history repeat itself (once again).
Faceoffs are proving to be an integral part of this year’s team, and that ought to be protected; if not for capturing franchise and league records, then to ensure team success and team fortitude.