The Toronto Maple Leafs succumbed to the group-think of their critics, bought into the Classic NHL Magical Thinking as it relates to grit over players who aren’t gritty but post consistently good results.
Since then, the Toronto Maple Leafs – most especially their coach – have had a very hard time icing a decent lineup.
Sure, the results have mostly been fine – because their star players are still stars – but the team lost a lot of skilled depth when they bailed on Rasmus Sandin and Pierre Engvall (two players who consistently produce from the bottom of the lineup) and their replacements, outside of Noel Acciari, have been underwhelming at best.
Last night against Buffalo was an embarrassment.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Buffalo Sabres
Timothy Liljegren had an awful game, but you can blame that on the coach. The Leafs best defenseman when it comes to results over the last two seasons is probably as confused as the rest of us about why he hasn’t earned the right to play full-time. (all stats naturalstattrick.com).
With two years of winning 3-2 every time he’s on the ice in the bank, the Leafs for some reason think Holl, Schenn, Gustaffson, Giordano, or McCabe are going to be more effective. They won’t be and aren’t.
Sam Lafferty isn't fit to pass Pierre Engvall's Gatorade.
— Editor in Leaf (@EditorinLeaf) March 14, 2023
The only thing this dumb line of thinking seems to have done is shaken the confidence of the only high-end player the Leafs have developed since drafting Matthews.
I can’t be the only one frustrated with Sheldon Keefe sitting LIljegren, dressing Kerfoot on the first line, blaming Bunting for Matthews’ slump or thinking Sam Lafferty is an NHL player, let alone a dude you should play on the second line.
Last night the Leafs got absolutely dummied whenever Lafferty was on the ice. Shot-attempts were 15-2 and shots were 11-1 , the Leafs were outscored 2-0 and his expected goals rating was 1%.
Pierre Engvall never had a game this bad in his life. But you, he doesn’t play the game the “right way” so who cares if he consistently wins his minutes?
Despite playing some of the toughest minutes in hockey, Engvall posted a 55% expected goals rating over the last two seasons while scoring at basically the same rate as Ryan O’Reilly.
Since joining the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sam Lafferty has been brutalized whenever he’s been on the ice and has been the worst of all the players the Leafs have dressed this year, the possible exception of Aube-Kubel and Dryden Hunt.
But he hits so one notices.
As for last night’s game, it’s pretty amazing that a team who added so many guys who PLAY THE RIGHT WAY just up and quit after getting a 2-0 lead.