Hockey fans, especially those attending pools this season, have certainly noticed the Toronto Maple Leafs' offensive production in recent days.
Head coach Sheldon Keefe's team sits in second place in the Metropolitan Division of the National Hockey League with a record of 16-6-6 and 38 points. And a very specific reason explains the club's success in 2023-2024: the attack.
• Also read: Victor Hedman is like fine wine
• Also read: A first in Predators history?
• Also read: For these reasons, Noah Dobson has become one of the best defensemen in the NHL
The Leafs also scored 19 times in the last three games, the team collecting five of six possible points. She has scored at least three times in each of her last eight duels. Overall, the Leafs have the second-best goals average in the National Hockey League this season at 3.64.
The team's recent offensive performances are also likely to shock their opponents. Last Tuesday she scored seven times against the New York Rangers, usually stingy on defense. Two days later, they erased a five-goal deficit in a single period in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. And on Saturday, Toronto defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 7-0, even though Auston Matthews was absent due to illness.
“We leave our territory quicker and close the game quicker when the opposing team comes into our zone. “We are reducing our space and our time,” Matthews told the Toronto Sun newspaper. We made a lot of improvements in various areas where we were weaker. We played several close games and ended up being six against five to come back. No matter what happens, we will work to achieve the important goal and give ourselves a chance to win.”
Even without Matthews…
And why do the players in blue and white maintain contact around the opposition net when their big star is on the sidelines? Since 2016, keep in mind that the Leafs' power play has an efficiency percentage of 29.0% when Matthews isn't playing, according to broadcaster Sportsnet.
“This year we have proven that we are a determined group with depth. […] We didn't have too many pitfalls up front, but we responded to every problem in attack, defense and goalkeeping. That's what good teams do. “Then losing a player of Auston’s caliber provides minutes and an opportunity to excel over others who can capture the attention of the organization,” Keefe commented.
So far, nine ice hockey players in the squad have scored a total of 10 points or more. The top scorer, William Nylander, claims around forty. But others like Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi will also have their say, especially in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
“We talk about it a lot: Injuries and illnesses are going to happen a lot during the season,” forward Mitch Marner said. The boys have to fit into the lineup quickly and contribute. We put several players in this situation. This helps build their trust and ours.”
The Queen City club will look to continue their winning ways by hosting the Rangers on Tuesday.