Recent Stat Proves the Toronto Maple Leafs Have No Reason to Panic About Their Powerplay
While the Toronto Maple Leafs haven't produced amazing results on the powerplay this season, some new stats show they may just be having a bad case of luck.
At the beginning of the season, Toronto had the worst power play in the league, and at points were under 8% when it comes to their success rate. After exploding during Auston Matthews' first absence, they have quietly slowed to a below average rate.
But there is some new information that has come out regarding the Maple Leafs power play that indicates perhaps their inability to have an elite power play isn't entirely their fault.
Is The Maple Leafs Power Play Bad Or Just Unlucky?
According to a new statistic, the Maple Leafs are actually generating many scoring chances on the man advantage compared to their results, and several of their power play unit have above 7 xGF; a great sign they have their chances but just aren't capitalizing.
It's not for a lack of effort, and the team does have its power play producers with William Nylander leading the pack with seven goals. But beyond him and John Tavares it's been a very lackluster PP unit, with only six Maple Leafs players scoring on the man advantage all season.
Auston Matthews' Injury Hasn't Helped Any
While it's obvious that Matthews' absence has hurt the Maple Leafs, his presence on the power play is one of the team's biggest holes.
Giving a player like Matthews the extra room to work with on the ice is only a positive, but given he has not played extensively this season, it's hard to see success.
While playing he has scored three PPG, and the responsibility lies on the other players to perform.
The first unit is normally stacked to the top with their best, so names like Max Pacioretty, Max Domi, Nick Robertson, and Bobby McMann need to step up when they get their chances.
The team is getting their chances but they aren't converting and it's an issue. Not only is it going to hurt them in their chance for supremacy atop the Atlantic Division, but if they falter this badly come playoff time; it's going to be another disappointing turnout.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 26 | 838 ANSWERS Recent Stat Proves the Toronto Maple Leafs Have No Reason to Panic About Their Powerplay Do you think Toronto needs to be worried about their power play? | ||
| Yes | 590 | 70.4 % |
| No | 248 | 29.6 % |
| List of polls | ||
