The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to put up awesome results despite some overall very bad play, and some extremely concerning underlying numbers.
That said, the Toronto Maple Leafs are winning game after game, appear set to win the Atlantic Division, and I'm doing my best to try and enjoy it. Sure, I have to point out the fact that they aren't winning games the way a top contender should be winning them, but that doesn't mean I'm not having a good time.
The Leafs are set up perfectly for the playoffs: we half expect them to blow it, and we'll be pleasently surprised by any success. If you're a Leafs fan, you're basically so used to losing that you can't lose.
So while we wait for the Playoffs, here are some of the topics of conversation I found to be quite insane. I don't mean to make fun, either - I myself have occasionally put out a laugher myself. So I'm not here to make fun of anyone, just point out that we occasionally overthink things and that some things are obvious. (stats naturalstattrick.com).
Things so obvious I shouldn't have to say them about the Toronto Maple Leafs
1. Shut Up about Rielly's +/-
Rielly has been on the ice for 17 empty-net goals against. He is otherwise an even player. Plus/Minus is a stupid statistic for a ton of reasons, but mostly because it is really a goalie stat, and because it is counted against you while short-handed and while the goalie is pulled. It is a stat that shows ONLY information that is out of context.
In reality, Rielly has a positive Expected Goals Rating of 50.12%, meaning that when he's played, the Leafs have deserved to win. The only problem with Rielly is that his most common partner this year has been Oliver Ekman-Larsson and they've done horribly when paired up. Rielly has great numbers with both Philippe Myers and Brandon Carlo.
2. Anthony Stolarz needs to start every game in the Playoffs
Stolarz is the only goalie alive who has put up numbers anywhere close to Connor Hellebuycks. He is the Leafs single biggest advantage going into the playoffs - no one in the East has a better goalie.
I'm sorry, but playoff experience arguments don't hold any water when you're comparing two guys with such limited experience as Joseph Woll and Stolarz. Who cares if Woll has played seven more games or whatever it is? Stolarz is a legit superstar goalie and needs to play every game.
3. Craig Berube is no Jack Adams candidate
Craig Berube's team wins despite the bad lines he puts out there, and they are winning despite his ridiculous refusal to play Timothy Liljegren, and they are winning despite playing a system which saps creativity and prevents his NHL Best forwards from living up to their potential. He also starts Marner and Matthews way too frequently in the defensive zone.
The Leafs are winning despite Berube, who has given a C- performance at best. He should be considered somewhere below John Tortorella for the Jack Adams award.