Leon Draisaitl is one of the best playoff performers in NHL history

[Sasha Orlov]

How can this be? Pointing out he doesn't know where his end of the ice is and no matter how many he scores if he is letting in more against gets you laugh reactions and called names.

It’s just obvious you don’t watch him play but are opening up the stat sheet like it’s Christmas morning

He has been excellent at both ends and one game doesn’t change that at all

 

[Phil Kessels Hot Dog]

It amazes me that the Leafs fans can think that

• less scoring but focus on defence from superstars is the key to success
• Leafs lost to the Bruins because their star players didn't score enough

At the end of the day, Draisaitl has 11 points in 5 games against the Nucks, AM and MM combined for 7 in 5+7 games against Boston.

But I'll give you this: AM and MM sell much more Jersey, good for them

It's not their fault, Leafs fans stop watching hockey the first week of May

 

[AslanRH]

 

[mr figgles]

Will get serious consideration for the HHOF.

One of those guts who elevates his game under pressure. Not an easy thing to do.

He‘s a lock already.

 

[ChaoticOrange]

That's silly

Lets take a peak at Draisaitl's numbers this playoffs With/Without #97 at five on five (58 minutes with / 100 without)

CF - 71.30% / 37.77%
SF - 76% / 35.65%
GF% - 62.50% / 44.44%
xGF% - 72.15% / 35.94%
SCF% - 70.91% / 42.86%
HDCF% - 65.63% / 44.90%

McDavid's number's don't completely crater away from Draisaitl.

Playoff Draisaitl is just a different animal. He gets the job done. The underlying numbers don't matter as much because his production is through the roof.

Also consider that away from McDavid Draisaitl gets Kane and Holloway. McDavid gets RNH and Hyman.

 

[Killer Orcas]

I've been saying he's the 2nd best player in league awhile and in playoffs he gets even better. He is miles ahead of some other players that some try to say are in same tier. If really had to make a tier only Mack joins him with McDavid alone at top.

 

[JAK]

Playoff Draisaitl is just a different animal. He gets the job done. The underlying numbers don't matter as much because his production is through the roof.

Also consider that away from McDavid Draisaitl gets Kane and Holloway. McDavid gets RNH and Hyman.

Points per game totally dictates playoff successes, that's how they hand out Stanley Cups.

 

[TheUnusedCrayon]

The saddest part is that Drai is on an extreme value contract right now and the gm's have been so god awful in Edmonton over the years that they have yet to put together a serious cup contender yet with McDavid and Draisaitl. Every year they think it's goaltending, yet somehow the defense never gets fixed. Then a coach gets the axe and somehow defense gets ignored again...

Need to acquire more two-way defensemen who can actually defend.

Despite what Oilers fans tell you, Bouchard can't defend well in his own zone, and when you have half of your d-corps playing defensively like tweeners (I reiterate and emphasize the word "defensively" because offensively they are talented), you're never going to frequently find success. Ekholm is holding that blueline together and is head and shoulders above Bouchard in terms of quality as a defenseman. The points are nice, but if you can't defend and prevent goals from going into your net, you're going to have a rough time in the playoffs.

They really screwed themselves over signing Nurse (yes, you should have let him walk, or better yet, not pay him a max value contract on his best career season). That albatross contract saddled to a poor defensive player in a defensive position will murder you. Regardless, there should be enough cap to spread towards depth but they seemingly spend it all on forwards.

 

[geebster]

The saddest part is that Drai is on an extreme value contract right now and the gm's have been so god awful in Edmonton over the years that they have yet to put together a serious cup contender yet with McDavid and Draisaitl. Every year they think it's goaltending, yet somehow the defense never gets fixed. Then a coach gets the axe and somehow defense gets ignored again...

Need to acquire more two-way defensemen who can actually defend.

Despite what Oilers fans tell you, Bouchard can't defend well in his own zone, and when you have half of your d-corps playing defensively like tweeners (I reiterate and emphasize the word "defensively" because offensively they are talented), you're never going to frequently find success. Ekholm is holding that blueline together and is head and shoulders above Bouchard in terms of quality as a defenseman. The points are nice, but if you can't defend and prevent goals from going into your net, you're going to have a rough time in the playoffs.

They really screwed themselves over signing Nurse (yes, you should have let him walk, or better yet, not pay him a max value contract on his best career season). That albatross contract saddled to a poor defensive player in a defensive position will murder you. Regardless, there should be enough cap to spread towards depth but they seemingly spend it all on forwards.

To your first point, thats the troubling thing about Edmonton. They dont really have the salary structure constraints (or didnt before Holland) that the Leafs do. Draisaitl is great value and both their superstars actually produce in the playoffs. They dont have an additional 2 guys making 10 mil and doing nothing. They just have Nurse making 9.5 and playing at best like a 3 million dollar guy, but that isnt enough to justify having such bad depth. This might be the deepest version of that team we have seen but it just isnt playing like it. You'd imagine Evander Kane, Nuge, etc would really show up but they havent. Its criminal they havent been surrounded by better. Dubas in Toronto was able to put together better depth than the Oilers have and he had more money locked into their core. Getting amazing value for Drai and Hyman shouldnt be wasted like they have.

As for Bouchard... I fully agree. The analytics do say hes good defensively but having watched him a ton this year... I just am not impressed by him. He doesnt do the things Fox, Makar, Hughes etc do. A lot of the times that he makes a big play its because hes wide open because Drai or McD have drawn all the attention. If you threw 2 guys at him with one guy stuck to him the way that its done with Hughes, he wouldnt be able to produce as much. You put Hughes with guys that will draw more attention than he does? He would pop over 100 points easily.

Ekholm deserves far more credit than he gets around the league for how much he elevates his pairing and their D corps. As an opposing fan hes the only EDM D man that is consistently impressive.

 

[PaulD]

Play off Draisaitl is the polar opposite of Playboff Marner

 

[swiftwin]

Draisaitl is money in the play offs.
He is the polar opposite of Marner.

The only thing opposite of Marner is the fact that Marner plays in the toughest division, whereas Draisaitl plays against the weakest. Both are non existent defensively. Drai proved it again last night, being on the ice for all goals against.

Both players have zero wins beyond the 2nd round, when they have to face teams outside their division.

 

[Fataldogg]

We should never see Auston Matthews ranked above him on a best player list again. Thanks.

But.... but.... 69 goals....

Draisaitl is a more complete offensive threat than Matthews and a significantly better playoff performer.

 

[666]

It’s just obvious you don’t watch him play but are opening up the stat sheet like it’s Christmas morning

He has been excellent at both ends and one game doesn’t change that at all

To be fair in the last three seasons playoffs (because that's as many as I can see on Natural Stattrick) at even strength Drai has been on for the most goals against and the most goals for with a 51 GF%, McD is 57% . In fact in the last 3 years playoffs he's been on the ice for the second most goals against of all players. Now he might have bad linemates / goaltenders etc but he's definitely on the ice for a lot of goals.

 

[Snatcher Demko]

He's as dominant a player as I've seen, at least for a long time. Jagr-esque.

 

[jackjohnson]

He's as dominant a player as I've seen, at least for a long time. Jagr-esque.

I would trade Petersson for Drai. As much as Canucks fans make fun of him, he is a horse and can score goals.

To be fair in the last three seasons playoffs (because that's as many as I can see on Natural Stattrick) at even strength Drai has been on for the most goals against and the most goals for with a 51 GF%, McD is 57% . In fact in the last 3 years playoffs he's been on the ice for the second most goals against of all players. Now he might have bad linemates / goaltenders etc but he's definitely on the ice for a lot of goals.

Put Drai with Lindholm and they would be one of the nost dominant lines in hockey.

 

[jackjohnson]

Playoff Draisaitl is just a different animal. He gets the job done. The underlying numbers don't matter as much because his production is through the roof.

Also consider that away from McDavid Draisaitl gets Kane and Holloway. McDavid gets RNH and Hyman.

Canucks should trade petersson to oilers for Drai. Canucks having Miller, Lindhom and Drai as top 3 centers makes them easy cup favourites. Heck they have gone far with only Lindholm and Miller carrying the load while Petersson is sleeping at the wheel.

 

[McVespa99]

Will get serious consideration for the HHOF.

One of those guts who elevates his game under pressure. Not an easy thing to do.

Serious consideration? Lol

Canucks should trade petersson to oilers for Drai. Canucks having Miller, Lindhom and Drai as top 3 centers makes them easy cup favourites. Heck they have gone far with only Lindholm and Miller carrying the load while Petersson is sleeping at the wheel.

You know there is 0 chance the Oilers would trade Drai for Petterson right? Not even with adds unless they were ridiculous.

 

[PaulD]

To your first point, thats the troubling thing about Edmonton. They dont really have the salary structure constraints (or didnt before Holland) that the Leafs do. Draisaitl is great value and both their superstars actually produce in the playoffs. They dont have an additional 2 guys making 10 mil and doing nothing. They just have Nurse making 9.5 and playing at best like a 3 million dollar guy, but that isnt enough to justify having such bad depth. This might be the deepest version of that team we have seen but it just isnt playing like it. You'd imagine Evander Kane, Nuge, etc would really show up but they havent. Its criminal they havent been surrounded by better. Dubas in Toronto was able to put together better depth than the Oilers have and he had more money locked into their core. Getting amazing value for Drai and Hyman shouldnt be wasted like they have.

As for Bouchard... I fully agree. The analytics do say hes good defensively but having watched him a ton this year... I just am not impressed by him. He doesnt do the things Fox, Makar, Hughes etc do. A lot of the times that he makes a big play its because hes wide open because Drai or McD have drawn all the attention. If you threw 2 guys at him with one guy stuck to him the way that its done with Hughes, he wouldnt be able to produce as much. You put Hughes with guys that will draw more attention than he does? He would pop over 100 points easily.

Ekholm deserves far more credit than he gets around the league for how much he elevates his pairing and their D corps. As an opposing fan hes the only EDM D man that is consistently impressive.

great post

 

[aufheben]

I feel like it’s not fair to compare him to people that had full careers and declined with age.

 

[JPeeper]

I feel like it’s not fair to compare him to people that had full careers and declined with age.

Or with people who actually accomplished something in the playoffs.

 

[Buck Naked]

He definitely could be better, sucks he's been hurt in like 3 playoff series but also played against some very strong goaltenders.

Holtby, Rask, Rask, Price, Vasi, Vasi, Bobrovsky, Swayman. That's 7 playoff series vs Vezina winners at their best, Swayman although not a Vezina winner definitely played at that level.

Columbus was the only series against a non-elite goalie, context matters but yeah he needs to be better than the opposing goalie at some point.

That's such a bad argument though and you can't just call a hot goalie a Vezina winner at their best.

Holtby: Matthews scored 4 goals in 6 games against an actual Vezina caliber goalie. That's great production and what should be expected. However. Holtby was lit up against the Pens and posted a .887 svs%. Was he no longer a Vezina goalie then?

Rask: .899 sv% against the Leafs. Not like he won the series for the Bruins. Was better against the Lightning and still got bumped in 5 games. Absolutely not a Vezina goalie at his best and 4 years removed from winning a Vezina.

Rask: Really good in the playoffs, but nowhere near being a Vezina winner at his best. Was a .912 goalie during that season and was 5 years removed from winning a Vezina.

Price: Nylander scored 5 goals, Matthews 1. So apparently it was possible to score on him. Also, Price was 6 years removed from being a Vezina goalie, had been struggling with injuries and had a terrible regular season. He just got hot.

Vasi: Matthews again scored according to expectations against an actual Vezina caliber goalie. .897 sv% against the Leafs though. No excuse there.

Vasi: Matthews again produced according to expectations.

Bob: Are you seriously calling Bob a Vezina winner at his best, heading into the 22/23 playoffs? Bob was laughed at and called one of, if not the worst, contract in the league. He was so bad during the regular season that he didn't even start the playoffs. Bob got hot.

Swayman: Again, not a Vezina goalie. Absolutely great against the Leafs, but was very much human against the Panthers with a .917 sv% over the series.


Seems to me that when Matthews actually faced Vezina competition, he's doing fine.

 

[JAK]

How the thread started : Draisaitl is good!
How the thread is going : Matthews is better!

Just the normal Leafs invasion to threads

 

[Shanahanigans]

The people who discredit Drai for being poor defensively never use that logic to discredit Mackinnon, Kucherov, Panarin, Kane, Rantanen, Pastrnak, Kreider, etc. The same analytics that show Draisaitl is poor defensively show the exact same for all those players. Classic cherry-picking.

 

[daver]

The people who discredit Drai for being poor defensively never use that logic to discredit Mackinnon, Kucherov, Panarin, Kane, Rantanen, Pastrnak, Kreider, etc. The same analytics that show Draisaitl is poor defensively show the exact same for all those players. Classic cherry-picking.

Feel free to bring that up in the "Mackinnon, Kucherov, Panarin, Kane, Rantanen, Pastrnak, Kreider, etc are among the best playoff performers in NHL history" thread.

The reality is that the Oilers have been trying to separate McDrai at ES to the obvious benefit of creating offensive depth for many seasons with a whole plethora of different wingers. Having two franchise C's/two very good top lines has been a key to many Cup winners. It hasn't worked yet. This can be pointed to, among other things, as a reason the Oilers haven't had the level of playoff success one might expect despite having a generational talent and a superstar level talent at arguably the most key position.

McDavid usually doesn't lose as much effectiveness at ES when he is not playing with Draisaitl so it begs the question as to how Draisaitl can be placed among the all-time greats if he cannot carry his own line consistently enough where the coach doesn't give up on rolling lines with them separated so quick.

I do think he steps it up in the playoffs but not anymore than his peers like MacKinnon and Kucherov. And I cannot see him hitting the same numbers without McDavid.

So he deserves some attention for what he does but not to the level of the thread title.

Playoff Draisaitl is just a different animal. He gets the job done. The underlying numbers don't matter as much because his production is through the roof.

Also consider that away from McDavid Draisaitl gets Kane and Holloway. McDavid gets RNH and Hyman.

His most common "not with McDavid" linemates in the 2022 playoffs were Hyman and Yamamoto. Last year it was Hyman, Yamamoto and RNH. This year it's Kane, RNH, and Foegele.

 

[Peltz]

Will get serious consideration for the HHOF.

One of those guts who elevates his game under pressure. Not an easy thing to do.

He's a first ballot entry.