Pre-Game Talk: Game 78: Leafs @ Sens

[Gary Nylund]

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.

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

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 advantage

 

[zeke]

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.

 

[Warden of the North]

PP cant be worse then it is. Glad theyre changing it up

 

[zeke]

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.

 

[Jimmy Firecracker]

Really hope we can pull out a win here and can get that “x” beside our name. Hope Sparks can get the job done.

 

[Gary Nylund]

hey boston just blew up their 1st line.

LOL Wut? What did they do?

 

[Marshy]

6-2.

"No Defence"


What will be the response to the above?

 

[crump]

Is it me or does anyone else think Ennis would be awesome in JVR's old position on the PP. He's been great in tight and has the skill to be on the PP.

Matthews Tavares Ennis
Rielly Marner

Johnsson Kadri Kappy
Muzzin Nylander

 

[Budsfan]

 

[hockeywiz542]

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.

 

[crump]

 

[Morbo]

Zach Hyman on the powerplay. Maybe he'll stand in the right spot and be long.

 

[thewave]

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.

Like a day ago you said Babcock sucks because the way he utilizes players on the PP...

 

[moon111]

Marleau on any PP is a bad idea at this point in his career.

Surprised he has a spot over Kapanen there.

Marleau currently has 4.313 point per 60 on the PP. 175th in the league.
For the Leafs, he's behind Tavares - 5.373, Rielly - 5.662, and Matthews - 7.008

Behind Marleau, you have Kadri 4.000, Nylander 3.894, Ennis 3.835, Muzzin 3.292, Johnson 3.237

Kasperi Kapanen 3.143 is just barely ahead of Connor Brown 2.993. As they both get extra ice-time
penalty-killing, there's no need to also be using them on the power-play either.

 

[cupcrazyman]

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

I thought you would be use to Babcocks bafoonary by now ?

 

[Blanche Blanche]

We need this guy to steal a game for us. To get super confident.

I want him to by like Hyman - and make us all eat crow

 

[jrgtml67]

No we wait and see if Rosen gets the call up and if so Marty gets sent down

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

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.

 

[Anthrax442]

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.

I legit would have given him this whole week off. And I mean "ticket to Bahamas" off.

 

[Marshy]

I really really wanna pound these fools.

 

[Cap'n Flavour]

That is not exactly the change I was hoping for on the powerplay.

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.

Although I'm skeptical of the high danger scoring chance stat, I think it's fair to say that loading up the top unit is a good strategy. That unit just needed to change their tactics a bit and use some other options, not get overhauled completely.

 

[leaffaninvancouver]

I legit would have given him this whole week off. And I mean "ticket to Bahamas" off.

Not sure that would have helped, he needed to play through the mental funk.

 

[Tall Morty]

Keeping my expectations low for this one.

 

[Cleetus]

Not sure that would have helped, he needed to play through the mental funk.

maybe rest and a re focus is what he needs????? not sure playing him through this is what he needs?