So, this is something I've been looking into while I'm bored at my office So, I've said recently the defense usage needs to change, and that it is hurting the team, and I still firmly believe that, HOWEVER, there is some evidence to show that Toronto's best hockey, even with the current lineup, is still to come.
If we look at their PDO, since the start of January, it's dropped down to around 100, which is where most teams tend to sit. So will these struggles continue? Or will they get back up to around 105, where they were dominant against other teams?
TOR is a team that has the skill up front to have a higher than the norm shooting % and a great goalie in Freddy, who has a higher than norm save %. Issue is, if those two things aren't above the norm, the Leafs tend to lose games like they've done the past few weeks.
However, as I said, TOR has the star power up front to shoot at a higher percentage than other teams, and have a goalie in Andersen who is one of the best in the league.
Due to those factors, the Leafs average PDO should be around, I would say 103. Below, we are getting unlucky, while above, we are getting lucky. Right now, we are hovering around 98-100.9ish. So we have some room to improve in terms of burying chances and getting saves
(Which makes sense, given Sparks/Hutch have started a lot of the recent games due to Andersen's injury)
HOWEVER, there are positive signs that Toronto could be poised to go on a tear and get the separation they once had back.
If we look at their xGF/xGA differential, since signing Nylander, has been the best it has been all year. They are getting more high danger opportunities and limiting the amount of high danger opps the other team gets.
We are literally seeing this team get their best chances vs the chances they give up all season.
Essentially if, or rather when TOR's sv% and sh% increase to where they normally are, the Leafs best hockey is likely still to come.
If we look at their PDO, since the start of January, it's dropped down to around 100, which is where most teams tend to sit. So will these struggles continue? Or will they get back up to around 105, where they were dominant against other teams?
TOR is a team that has the skill up front to have a higher than the norm shooting % and a great goalie in Freddy, who has a higher than norm save %. Issue is, if those two things aren't above the norm, the Leafs tend to lose games like they've done the past few weeks.
However, as I said, TOR has the star power up front to shoot at a higher percentage than other teams, and have a goalie in Andersen who is one of the best in the league.
Due to those factors, the Leafs average PDO should be around, I would say 103. Below, we are getting unlucky, while above, we are getting lucky. Right now, we are hovering around 98-100.9ish. So we have some room to improve in terms of burying chances and getting saves
(Which makes sense, given Sparks/Hutch have started a lot of the recent games due to Andersen's injury)
HOWEVER, there are positive signs that Toronto could be poised to go on a tear and get the separation they once had back.
If we look at their xGF/xGA differential, since signing Nylander, has been the best it has been all year. They are getting more high danger opportunities and limiting the amount of high danger opps the other team gets.
We are literally seeing this team get their best chances vs the chances they give up all season.
Essentially if, or rather when TOR's sv% and sh% increase to where they normally are, the Leafs best hockey is likely still to come.