Sportsnet: 3 ways the Maple Leafs can fix their faulty penalty kill

[BrainyBomber]

Leafs were 4th in the league on PK FO%.

But what were in the playoffs when it mattered?

 

[A1LeafNation]

But what were in the playoffs when it mattered?

DJ Smith should be fired. Look at this cumulative stat over the last 3 years.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggre...meType=3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pkPctg

Babcock is lucky to still have a job after this.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

But what were in the playoffs when it mattered?

This is knee-jerk decision making philosophy that ruins teams. This is the thought process the Burke regime bragged about when deciding to outbid for David Clarkson. Doesn't matter who you get it's not going to guarantee you for the very limited stretch of games in the play-offs that you're going to get a specific level of performance that you want. That's why you can go from getting knocked out in the first round to winning a cup, go from conference finals to bottom feeder, etc...

 

[BrainyBomber]

This is knee-jerk decision making philosophy that ruins teams. This is the thought process the Burke regime bragged about when deciding to outbid for David Clarkson. Doesn't matter who you get it's not going to guarantee you for the very limited stretch of games in the play-offs that you're going to get a specific level of performance that you want. That's why you can go from getting knocked out in the first round to winning a cup, go from conference finals to bottom feeder, etc...

Eh I haven't put forth any philosophy I just asked what the FO% was in the playoffs.

Apparently it's 3rd from bottom so obviously looks like room for improvement in that aspect.

 

[A1LeafNation]

This is knee-jerk decision making philosophy that ruins teams. This is the thought process the Burke regime bragged about when deciding to outbid for David Clarkson. Doesn't matter who you get it's not going to guarantee you for the very limited stretch of games in the play-offs that you're going to get a specific level of performance that you want. That's why you can go from getting knocked out in the first round to winning a cup, go from conference finals to bottom feeder, etc...

It's not knee jerk when you look at their PK stats over the last three playoffs.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggre...meType=3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pkPctg

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Eh I haven't put forth any philosophy I just asked what the FO% was in the playoffs.

Apparently it's 3rd from bottom so obviously looks like room for improvement in that aspect.

Then go get your David Clarkson of playoff face offs

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

It's not knee jerk when you look at their PK stats over the last three playoffs.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggre...meType=3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pkPctg

Why are you showing me PK% in the playoffs?

 

[A1LeafNation]

Why are you showing me PK% in the playoffs?

Because it crumbles when we need it the most.

 

[BrainyBomber]

Then go get your David Clarkson of playoff face offs

Clarkson was awful I never wanted him. Just cause the Bomber is my avatar doesn't mean I'm one of the dinosaurs that only wants truculence.

I'm fully with the Dubas who I'd like to see improve the PK especially with regards to FO%

 

[egd27]

DJ Smith should be fired. Look at this cumulative stat over the last 3 years.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggre...meType=3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pkPctg

Babcock is lucky to still have a job after this.

Lol....always the answer with some of you.......fire, trade, waive.

Overall, the PK is middle of the pack until it runs up against the best power plays in the league. (what a shock)

Seems that someone needs to be working constantly on their face off skills so they can go head to head with the Bergeron's of the league, and then the coaching staff needs to deploy them to start things off.

That said, a Leaf losing faceoffs to one of the best in the world is probably not something you fire a coach over.

 

[notDatsyuk]

PK takes discipline, which is why Kadri has never done it.

Komarov played center in Finland and Russia, so his numbers aren't surprising. His ES numbers are lower, because he only took them when the center - usually Kadri - got kicked out. The second player has to be more careful, because a violation means an automatic penalty.

Last two playoffs, our PK center has faced off against Pastrnack, probably the best in the league.

What we need is less Hainsey, someone like Leo (I think KK might be closest), and for Mitch to work on his faceoffs.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Because it crumbles when we need it the most.

What would encourage you to tell that to me?

 

[Mickey Marner]

It is a bit ridiculous that we don't use centers on the PK. Could always start there.

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

Clarkson was awful I never wanted him. Just cause the Bomber is my avatar doesn't mean I'm one of the dinosaurs that only wants truculence.

I'm fully with the Dubas who I'd like to see improve the PK especially with regards to FO%

That’s the thing though. We could go back into the playoffs with who we have and come out with 60% on face off draws. We had 54% in the regular season. The problem isn’t the face off personnel, it’s the sample size.

I’d also like to see the PK improve, but I trust Dubas et al won’t be looking for PK help while treating playoff hockey as a separate sport than regular season hockey. In that respect face offs aren’t really the problem.

 

[ShaneFalco]

Start by firing the whole coaching staff

 

[tmlms13]

Leafs were 4th in the league on PK FO%.

And vs Boston?

Edit: Looked it up they were 8w 19l vs Boston this year.... Even with having to go up against Bergeron that is pretty bad.

Last 3 years combined 39w 55l ... explain that

 

[BoredBrandonPridham]

And vs Boston?

Edit: Looked it up they were 8w 19l vs Boston this year.... Even with having to go up against Bergeron that is pretty bad.

Last 3 years combined 39w 55l ... explain that

Boston is particularly good at faceoffs and small sample? Faceoffs aren’t so important that it’s worth starting an arms race to beef up on them. Leafs are pretty good at them, train for them, that’s probably about all you need. Better to focus improvement in other areas.

 

[LeafsNation75]

Boston is particularly good at faceoffs and small sample? Faceoffs aren’t so important that it’s worth starting an arms race to beef up on them. Leafs are pretty good at them, train for them, that’s probably about all you need. Better to focus improvement in other areas.

I wonder how much Hyman's ACL effected him in Game 6? Remember on Boston's first goal it was on a power play and they scored right off the faceoff which Hyman took and lost the draw.

 

[A1LeafNation]

What would encourage you to tell that to me?

Why not.

 

[Menzinger]

Lol....always the answer with some of you.......fire, trade, waive.

Overall, the PK is middle of the pack until it runs up against the best power plays in the league. (what a shock)

Seems that someone needs to be working constantly on their face off skills so they can go head to head with the Bergeron's of the league, and then the coaching staff needs to deploy them to start things off.

That said, a Leaf losing faceoffs to one of the best in the world is probably not something you fire a coach over.

Two playoffs in a row where the PK has played a major role in the series outcome is more than enough reason to change the assistant running that part of the team

I cant point to a single thing during that last series on particular where they tried to do things differently

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

DJ Smith should be fired. Look at this cumulative stat over the last 3 years.

http://www.nhl.com/stats/team?aggre...meType=3&filter=gamesPlayed,gte,1&sort=pkPctg

Babcock is lucky to still have a job after this.

That stat is disgusting. Seriously how embarrassing.

 

[Notsince67]

It is a bit ridiculous that we don't use centers on the PK. Could always start there.

Kind of ridiculous that our generational center cant play the pk

 

[tmlms13]

Boston is particularly good at faceoffs and small sample? Faceoffs aren’t so important that it’s worth starting an arms race to beef up on them. Leafs are pretty good at them, train for them, that’s probably about all you need. Better to focus improvement in other areas.

It is actually very important why do you think centers are more valuable than wingers? Guys like Paul Gaustad, career high 12 goals, lasted 12 years in the NHL.

Remember when Garry Valk eliminated the Penguins? It was 2 seconds after a faceoff win by Yanic Perreault, might be GOAT faceoff man in NHL history

 

[tmlms13]

Kind of ridiculous that our generational center cant play the pk

I bet he can and probably be pretty good at it, but that's not up to him.

 

[A1LeafNation]

Kind of ridiculous that our generational center cant play the pk

Tavares played the PK in NY. Guess he gets to be too comfortable here.

Kadri is our defensive specialist who can't take a draw in the PK?

Coaching needs to give their head a shake.