Guest Post: What If The Leafs Biggest Problem Isn't Scoring Goals?

Shorthanded Shortcomings

BY KYLE BOSLEY

How many times has it happened in this young season? The Leafs, with all the momentum heading into the final stages of a game, lose in less than impressive fashion.

Since their 4-0 start, they have gone 1-5-3. That record is eerily close to the record from the dreadful start of last season. So I think there is reason to be a little concerned right now.

But the reason for this current slump isn't just a lack of production. It is also terrible penalty killing.

Two of the last three games were lost as a direct result of a poor PK, which has plummeted from Top 10 all the way down to 21st in the league at 79.6 per cent. The PK bottomed out at 24th after the Washington game. Or consider this: In the Leafs last 9 games, only the Sabres and Rangers have been held without a power play goal.

Part of the problem has been a lack of truly brilliant goaltending, as both The Monster and Jiggy have been doing their best headless chicken impressions at times. Sure, on Alexander Semin's power play goal there were some strange bounces. But Monster wasn't even remotely close to making it back in time for a critical save.

With both goalies often caught out of position, you have to wonder why this is happening. The answer: The opposition have been allowed to move the puck around freely and with no pressure.

Early in the season, the Leafs did not allow any open passing lanes. But that changed with John Tavares’ OT winner and it has continued right through to the 3-2 loss to Ottawa when the Sens scored two power play goals in the second period.

Right now, opposing teams are granted time and space to cycle the puck at will and the result has been ugly. Not even cross-ice passes, through multiple defenders, are being stopped.

When the PK isn't to blame for a loss, it has put the Leafs behind early (Boston, October 28) or has brought talented teams right back into the game (Pittsburgh, October 13).

The most pitiful shorthanded performance by far came last Tuesday against the Senators as the Leaf penalty killers – possibly not expecting much from a team that considers Alex Kovalev to still be a major scoring threat – decided to play follow the leader.

Just watch how instead of reading a rather basic cycle, the defenders chase the puck from man to man. There was no serious pressure applied and no real attempt to cover the next pass.

With at least three games lost due to bad penalty killing this is where the Leafs need to focus on improvement right now. This was the Achilles heel of Toronto last year and has proven very costly so far this season.

To get the PK back on track, the Leafs need to:

1. Press the attackers, not the puck

2. Read the play, not just react

3. Disrupt the passing lanes

4. Block shots or get out of the way (goalies can't stop what they don't see)

With the Leafs taking on Tampa tonight, some simple alterations could help shut down the Lightning power play. This is a critical task when you're up against Steven Stamkos, a sniper who now leads the league in goals, points and power play goals.

However, if the PK current trend continues and improvements aren't soon made, this season may already be lost.

 

Kyle Bosley, born with blue in his veins and hockey in his heart, is the creator of The 5th Line Centre, a Leafs blog he runs while living in hostile Senators' territory.

 

Comments

[Pyramid Power]

Excellent post Kyle. Very impressive breakdown especially your four suggestions as to what needs to be done. Sjostrom, Brown and the gang have not gotten it done recently, and it has been very easy to see why outside of the spotty goaltending. Just not pressing the possessor of the puck enough.
Other team's PK's are excellent at this. I saw Vancouver's PK just do an outstanding job the other night against the Avs in Denver. Pressure the hell out of the guy with the puck to make a play quickly. We stand around and allow the guy with the puck time to read the paper, smoke a cigarette and then of course make a perfect pass to spark a golden opportunity.

Worst PK and worst PP last year. But this year is this year. I hold our team's coaches accountable for failures on special teams. This is an area that they must coach and coach well in. They are not getting it done as in Acton, Zettler, Hunter and of course Wilson.
Thye also need to work on the shootout, breakouts, how to score goals, the PP and.............. Sigh.

GO LEAFS GO TONIGHT IN TAMPA. Game time in 20 minutes.

[Pyramid Power]

One power play for Tampa. One goal for Tampa. Of course scored by Toronto lad Steve Stamkos. OUCH!

[Pyramid Power]

Former Leaf Dominic Moore scores the third Tampa goal to make it 3-0 at the end of one. Painful.
See if we can somehow make a game of it like in Washington last week.

[Pyramid Power]

I think our biggest problem IS scoring goals unfortunately. 3-0 Tampa after two.
Bummer to read that Stamkos' agent and Yzerman are meeting in Toronto to discuss contract as Stamkos goes RFA next Canada Day.
Holzer in for Gunnarsson. Have had trouble seeing this game as the stream is not working very well. How is he doing?
Another question that I have posed before for the Leafs Intelligentsia here: if we bring up Kadri even for one game does that count as a year towards his free agent status? Just asking. I would not like to see the kid thrown into this maelstrom quite yet. Just curious.

[Kyle The 5th Line Centre]

But the game was turned upside down when Tampa seized momentum with a PP goal.

[Kyle The 5th Line Centre]

As for Kadri: You need 7 years of NHL service or 27 years of age to be a UFA

[Pyramid Power]

@Kyle I know that re Kadri, but thank you for trying to answer my question. If we bring him up this year does it count towards a year as in if he plays even one game does that count as a year off his RFA/UFA status? I assume the answer is yes?
Not to be a nattering nabob of negativity or anything, but things do not get better tomorrow night against Miami. Rested team and a furious team after the Orr football goal to help Toronto win their last game I believe. I don't anticipate much better tomorrow night with Vokoun in nets, and DeBoer having his team very ready to demolish the Leafs especially after Burke was at his best yapping about one game and the discussed challenge rule at the GM meetings.
Get a tan Leafs and enjoy tomorrow afternoon.
Burke will not be tolerating much more of this. Don't know what he is going to do, but bank on something happening sooner rather than later.
Preds management in town on Saturday night. Could Steve Sullivan return to the blue and white? I would not want that, but something might be in the works there.

[Vinay Menon]

Great post, Kyle. Thanks for writing it. And nice to have you back, Pyramid Power. Though after tonight's game, maybe your initial instincts were correct. Hope it's not too early in Shanghai to be drinking what I just poured for myself.

[Leon Arp]

Has the Leaf Nation become a Third World country?

[Pyramid Power]

Never too early Vinay. Cheers to you and Leaf Nation!

[Pyramid Power]

@Leon Arp That is hilarious! LOL I assume others have heard that one before, but I never have.
Yes, we are the North Korea, the Sierra Leone, the Somalia of hockey countries.

[Pyramid Power]

Oh, by the way Vinay it almost 8 p.m. over here in a faraway land and I am STILL drinking. Hiccup!

[Chuck]

The PK has been bad since John Mitchell got out of the pressbox..

Coincidence?

Watch the next time the opposing team scores a PP goal and if Mitchell was involved.