On Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs emerged victorious with a 4-3 win over the New York Rangers. With a crucial postseason push underway, this win provided several key takeaways about the team’s current form, standout players, and areas that still need some fine-tuning. Here’s a breakdown of the most notable moments from the game.
Key Thought One: The Tavares/Nylander/McMann Line Dominates
Since head coach Craig Berube reunited the Tavares/Nylander/McMann line during the third period of the Maple Leafs’ game against the Colorado Avalanche, they have been nothing short of dominant. Over the four periods they’ve played together, the line has posted impressive numbers, highlighting their potential as a postseason force:
- Ice Time: 16:20
- Shot Attempts: 26/13 (67%)
- Shots: 9/4 (69%)
- Expected Goals: 1.68/0.14 (92%)
- Scoring Chances: 18/4 (82%)
- High Danger Chances: 10/1 (91%)
The line’s numbers speak for themselves, showcasing not only their offensive effectiveness but also their ability to control play in all three zones. While it may not be realistic to expect these numbers to remain at this level for an entire postseason, it’s clear that the combination of McMann with Tavares and Nylander provides the Maple Leafs with a potent second scoring line.
If McMann can maintain his current level of play, the team will have two formidable lines heading into the playoffs: Knies/Matthews/Marner and McMann/Tavares/Nylander. With that in place, the Maple Leafs would enter the postseason with a much-needed boost to their offensive depth.
Key Thought Two: The Focus Now Shifts to the Maple Leafs Bottom Six
While the top-six forward lines are starting to take shape, the bottom six remains a work in progress. This group has yet to find consistent production, and the addition of Scott Laughton has added to the question marks. Laughton, acquired from the Philadelphia Flyers, has yet to replicate his success from his time with the Flyers, where he posted decent underlying numbers despite being on a struggling team. Here’s a comparison of his stats with the Flyers vs. his early numbers with the Maple Leafs:
| Stat | Flyers | Maple Leafs |
|---|---|---|
| Shot Attempts | 46% | 29% |
| Shots | 53% | 32% |
| Goals | 41% | 20% |
| Expected Goals | 54% | 33% |
| Scoring Chances | 46% | 26% |
| High Danger Chances | 56% | 33% |
Laughton has only played seven games for the Maple Leafs, logging just under 30 minutes of ice time. In contrast, he spent 735 minutes with the Flyers over 60 games. With such a small sample size and the adjustment to new systems, it’s too early to make any final judgments on his fit with the team. However, his early struggles raise questions about how he will mesh with Toronto’s bottom six moving forward. The team still has time to figure out where Laughton fits, but so far, he hasn’t made a significant impact on the Maple Leafs’ depth.
Final Thoughts About the Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs’ 4-3 win over the Rangers highlighted some exciting developments, particularly the outstanding play of the Tavares/Nylander/McMann line. With just a month remaining in the regular season, this team is beginning to find its rhythm heading into the postseason. However, the bottom six still requires attention, and Scott Laughton’s fit with the team remains uncertain. As the playoffs approach, the Maple Leafs will need to continue fine-tuning their roster and systems to ensure they are fully prepared for the postseason challenge.
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