After their first loss of the NHL playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs are nowhere near panic mode. At least not yet.
The Leafs dominated much of last night’s game, but couldn’t beat Linus Ullmark or the post in OT. If they play like that again, they’ll have no problem moving on to the second round. But just because they played well doesn’t mean there aren’t any concerns.
Nothing huge stands out; there aren’t key players underperforming or defence pairs that aren’t working. Just a few smaller concerns about personnel that could help the Leafs end this series in Game 5.
Should Kampf come back to the penalty kill?
Without David Kampf in the lineup, the two main forward penalty killers for Toronto are Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews. Marner has done it his whole career, and is no doubt one of the best PKers in the league.
But Matthews is struggling, and while he’s fine, he’s not spectacular. The Leafs penalty kill has given up a goal in three straight games and looks like a unit that could use some help. The Senators are having an easy time finding seams for cross-ice passes, and Stolarz can’t stop everything.
Enter David Kampf, who’s been scratched for all three games so far. He’s easily the Leafs second-best PKer up front, rightfully earning his reputation as a defensive specialist. Finding a spot for him in the even-strength lineup may be difficult, but he should be hopping over the boards with Marner on the PK instead of Matthews.
Adding Kampf will cause some difficulty in the bottom six. The Lorentz–Laughton–Jarnkrok line has been great, and playing Kampf with Max Domi isn’t something Craig Berube will consider. It’s possible Jarnkrok could move up to play with Domi and McMann while Kampf takes his place on the fourth line. Either way, the PK needs help, and Kampf is right there in the press box. He needs to be in the Game 5 lineup.
Hints of a goalie controversy?
The Leafs goaltending has been their biggest strength all year, whether Anthony Stolarz or Joseph Woll was manning the crease. In Games 1 and 2, this still rang true. Stolarz was excellent, making Grade-A saves when he needed to.
But in Games 3 and 4, he’s been iffy at best. Brady Tkachuk’s tying goal in Game 3 was rough, and so was Jake Sanderson’s OT winner last night. Tim Stutzle’s power play goal to open the game was a great play and shot, but even that one had me thinking Stolarz should’ve had it.
Stolarz will get the nod in Game 5, and he’s earned it. He’s been the better goalie in three of the four games this series, and was obviously remarkable all year. But, if he looks weak and the Leafs lose again, it may be time to switch to Woll.
We’ve seen what Woll can do in the playoffs, and his calming presence may help the Leafs if the pressure of blowing a 3–0 series lead starts to mount. He’s a postseason performer and a stabilizer who will no doubt be on the top of his game if he’s called upon.
It may seem reactionary to suggest a goalie change after just one loss, but I’m seeing cracks start to form. Some goals this series have been uncharacteristic of Stolarz, and instead of settling into the series, it feels like the opposite. Every game, he’s been a bit worse than the last, and he’s heading into a crucial Game 5.
It’s still 3–1
Even if the Leafs don’t make a single change, they should still win this series. They have been the better team, had the better special teams, and the better goaltending.
But perfection is the end goal, and they have not been perfect. Getting through Ottawa is one thing, but to beat the Florida Panthers or the Tampa Bay Lightning, they are going to have to play their best hockey of the season.
The series is still 3–1, and there’s no need to even start getting those nasty feelings we all know. The Leafs are going to win this series, and they will deserve it.
But as we all know, there are improvements to be made. And the Leafs need to answer these questions if they want to go on a deep run.
