The Toronto Maple Leafs played the Dallas Stars last night, and for the second game in a row they got a result they did not deserve.
The Toronto Maple Leafs new starting goalie, Joseph Woll, for right now at least, is the NHLs leading candidate for the Calder Trophy, and has won the last two games singlehandedly.
Woll was amazing, letting in just a single goal for the 2nd straight game. Some of his saves were quite spectacular as well.
As is becoming par for the course, the Leafs bled high-danger chances against and were the worst team in the game, despite the outcome.
You can’t beat the results, but the way this team is going about getting them leaves a lot to be desired.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Jake McCabe Injury Not Really a Negative
10 seconds into last night’s game, Jack McCabe pulled up lame with what appeared to be a muscle injury. I hate to see anyone get injured, but he has been so brutally bad this year that the fact he only played 10 seconds probably helped the Leafs win.
If he is out for the season, I wouldn’t exactly be distraught. I am not cheering for him to be hurt, because that would be gross, but I am just saying I won’t miss him if he is.
On the season, scoring chances are 62-46 for the opposition whenever McCabe plays. The high-danger scoring chances are 64% in favor of the opposition. The Leafs have been outscored 7-3 when he is on the ice, while his expected goals rating is 44%.
He has been in direct competition for the title of the Leafs Worst Player with John Klingberg (who put up an absolutely stellar 26% xGoals last night) and Ryan Reaves.
At this point, all three players should be in the AHL, not the NHL.
As for the Leafs, it’s great to win when you’re playing badly, but if this keeps up the season is going to go downhill quickly.
You can’t rely on a hot goalie to win for you every night. That is not a recipe for long-term success.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have the 5th best record in the NHL right now, but they also rank 19th by Expected Goals. They have allowed more goals at 5v5 than they have scored.
When it comes to percentage of high-danger chances they are getting, they rank 22nd. (stats naturalstatrick.com).
It’s been a good season so far by results, but over time, the process matters more. The Toronto Maple Leafs have a lot of problems to fix before they can consider themselves one of the NHL’s best teams.