Gary Nylund
Registered User
- Oct 10, 2013
- 30,163
- 22,708
The fact that we're only two weeks away from the playoffs and still haven't figured our WTF we're doing on the PP isn't a good sign.
I'm convinced it's largely a mental block to be honest. They're talented players and they get chances, they just can't finish with the man advantageThe fact that we're only two weeks away from the playoffs and still haven't figured our WTF we're doing on the PP isn't a good sign.
The fact that we're only two weeks away from the playoffs and still haven't figured our WTF we're doing on the PP isn't a good sign.
hey boston just blew up their 1st line.
TORONTO – Zach Hyman has long been the Maple Leafs’ jack of all trades, trusted to perform as a top-line winger and prominent penalty killer.
So when the Leafs made major changes to their power-play units at Friday’s practice, promoting Hyman to the top unit after he’d barely skated with the man advantage all season, his teammates couldn’t resist having a little fun with the humble winger.
“You’re talking about the power play with Zach Hyman?” chirped Mitch Marner, as reporters crowded Hyman’s dressing room stall. “A Zach Hyman power play?”
That stirred a booming laugh from Frederik Gauthier, who added a little chime of his own. All Hyman could do was laugh and shrug.
“We’re just having fun,” Hyman said, slightly sheepish. “But it was good, I enjoyed [the power play time]. We’ll see.”
The decision to adjust could have easily been spurred by the team’s latest stretch of ineffectiveness with the man advantage.
Toronto hasn’t looked threatening with the extra man in a couple weeks, going 1-for-15 on the power play in their last five games. But the choice went deeper than just hunting for better numbers.
“We’re trying to do is make sure we have a good option, especially if things don’t work,” Babcock said. “Our power play has been pretty good. Obviously the harder we work on it, the more success it has. It’s just different options as we move ahead.”
Essentially, the Leafs are striving to be more multi-dimensional on special teams by the time the playoffs roll around in two weeks. Their power play has been particularly inconsistent this season, prone to long dormant stretches mixed with spans where they look nearly unstoppable.
On the season, Toronto sits eighth in the NHL with the extra man (22 per cent) but their tendency to struggle has encouraged Babcock to consider changes before. He said that didn’t happen until now because of certain personnel not always being available, but since the club is at almost full health, the timing was perfect to make alterations.
the crazy thing is that in terms of scoring chances created, our PP is the best in the league.....by 8 country miles.
Shot Attempts per 60min on the PP
1.TOR 113.36
2.SJS 108.19
3.VGK 106.06
4.CAR 103.52
5.PHI 102.18
a nice lead there, but that doesn't tell the half of it...
Scoring Chances per 60min on the PP
1.TOR 76.11
2.SJS 57.89
3.EDM 55.56
4.TBL 54.59
5.NYI 53.69
Like 30-40% ahead of the rest of the pack. blowing everyone out of the water.
High Danger Scoring Chances per 60min on the PP
1.TOR 34.95
2.PHI 25.47
3.SJS 24.99
4.NYI 24.04
5.CAL 23.62
again, blowing everyone out of the water.
there's a non-zero chance that changing our PP is a bad idea, as it could have exploded at any time.
Marleau on any PP is a bad idea at this point in his career.
Surprised he has a spot over Kapanen there.
I don't like the powerplay change. If you're going to split the units up, at least use your best offensive players. Otherwise it is a waste
Makes sense, Andersen had a good not great game against the Flyers. He needed one like that. Let him rest over the weekend and hopefully return sharp against the Islanders with some much needed help on defense.
the crazy thing is that in terms of scoring chances created, our PP is the best in the league.....by 8 country miles.
there's a non-zero chance that changing our PP is a bad idea, as it could have exploded at any time.
I legit would have given him this whole week off. And I mean "ticket to Bahamas" off.
maybe rest and a re focus is what he needs????? not sure playing him through this is what he needs?Not sure that would have helped, he needed to play through the mental funk.