The Maple Leafs look destined to return to the NHL Playoffs yet again, and that destiny will turn into a reality if they stay consistent. They’re also a team with a lot of starpower, meaning a few players’ respective efforts may fall through the cracks and go unnoticed.
So, let’s give one forward, one blueliner, and one netminder some well-deserved recognition by looking at some hard numbers that will explain what has made them rather formidable players this year.
Bobby McMann
Bobby McMann has been really picking up his game since December 15th. He’s got six points and three goals between then and December 23rd and his ice time has picked up over the last two contests, proving he can be a dynamic fill-in if a star player or two goes down with an injury.
Overall, McMann has nine goals and 13 points in 27 games on the year across 14:01 of average total ice time. The Leafs also trust him more these days, not only with roughly two and a half more minutes worth of ice time this season, but he’s also molding from being a part-time NHLer into a full-timer.
Conor Timmins
Yep, I wrote about Conor Timmins last week, talking about how the Leafs should strongly consider cutting his ice time. But he’s getting recognition here for what was a legendary performance against the Buffalo Sabres in which he recorded six blocks, a point, and a plus-1 across 20:52 of ice time.
And, although I wasn’t a fan of seeing Timmins attain more ice time, he nevertheless has been on the ice for 18 goals vs. only 12 allowed at even strength. No, his on-ice shooting percentage isn’t great, but with a 94.6 on-ice save percentage, he’s still pitching in well.
Joseph Woll
Yep, Anthony Stolarz has been the stellar 1A for the Leafs this season and perhaps we’ll see Matt Murray more, but let’s give some credit to Joseph Woll. With a 0.908 save percentage, a 2.61 GAA, and a shutout, his numbers have been admirable. No, they’re not great, especially when you factor in three ‘really bad starts’ and a 0.500 quality starts percentage, but he’s solid.
That said, he deserves recognition as a serviceable 1B and, given his relatively younger age, his potential to transform into a potential 1A in time. And if you want any proof, look no further than Stolarz’s career, in which he was nothing more than a part-time NHLer with organizational depth, so let’s hope Woll can follow an even better career path.