{"id":26491,"date":"2018-04-04T12:24:49","date_gmt":"2018-04-04T16:24:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/?p=26491"},"modified":"2018-04-04T12:24:49","modified_gmt":"2018-04-04T16:24:49","slug":"leafs-have-potential-to-win","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/2018\/04\/04\/leafs-have-potential-to-win\/","title":{"rendered":"Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Chances Are Strong"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toronto Maple Leafs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have had their ups and downs this season. It started out where <\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/a\/anderfr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Frederik Andersen<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> couldn\u2019t make a save, yet the Leafs could score at will. Then November rolls around and the roles switch. Andersen became one of the hottest goalies from November through January, but the team seemed to lose its scoring touch. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, since February, the Leafs<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/2018\/01\/24\/best-out-of-the-toronto-maple-leafs\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> new line combinations<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> have made the team better overall, with both scoring and goaltending balancing out. Being 19-7-2 since Feb. 2, the Maple Leafs Stanley Cup chances are strong.<\/span><\/p>\n<h1>Toronto Maple Leafs Stanley Cup Chances Are Strong<\/h1>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Interesting quote tonight from Mike Babcock, referencing the Leafs&#39; chances of contending for the Cup this year: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/LjFUreAy4G\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/LjFUreAy4G<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonassiegel\/status\/977735682775859200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 25, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><b>Mike Babcock<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> said this prior to a 4-3 victory over the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/red-wings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Detroit Red Wings<\/span><\/a>,<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before the Leafs had mathematically clinched a playoff spot, but when it was highly improbable they would miss. They were preparing themselves for the playoffs and the coach decided to give his team a vote of confidence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The Leafs could easily bring down any of the teams in the first two rounds. Toronto has played extraordinarily well against the top teams in the league this season. The top three teams from the West are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/predators\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nashville Predators<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/jets\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winnipeg Jets<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/knights\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Vegas Golden Knights<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From the East, the title belongs to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/bruins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Boston Bruins<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonhockey.com\/nhl-teams\/lightning\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa Bay Lightning<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and Toronto Maple Leafs. Since it is clear the Leafs cannot play themselves, that leaves 5 teams. Against the top five teams in the NHL, the Leafs have an 8-5-1 record, only going below a 0.500 record against the Lightning.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Numbers<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While looking at records is fun, the numbers are the best predictors for what is to come. The Leafs have the second-highest expected goals for in the league. This is to be expected, having such forward depth that they would produce such quality offense. They also have great special teams, ranking third in the league with 24.4 percent on the powerplay and ranking 11th with their penalty kill unit, killing 81.3 percent of the penalties they have taken. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They are also tied with the Predators in PDO for second, which can be used to define luck in the NHL, but because of all of their offensive skill, they would have a naturally higher shooting percentage for the team to drive the numbers up. They are often in the top part of the league with offensive numbers, showing how good their offense is.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Leafs problem, to nobody\u2019s surprise, is the lack of solid defense. The Leafs are middle of the pack with a 49.88 corsi for percentage ranking at 17th in the league. They also rank 27th with a 2.56 xGA\/60. The defense leaves something to be desired with this team, and has held them back in the past. It could be the major flaw preventing the team from running for the Stanley Cup.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Depth That Defines The Leafs<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The team has some impressive feats though this season. They have three 30+ goal scorers, which no other team has yet to accomplish, and two 50+ point defensemen in\u00a0<\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/g\/gardija01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Gardiner<\/a> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/r\/riellmo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Morgan Rielly<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Only\u00a0<\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/josiro01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Roman Josi<\/a> <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and <\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/s\/subbapk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">P.K. Subban<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0of the Predators have also accomplished the feat this season. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Leafs are tied for sixth in the NHL standings and have been a force to be reckoned with. Their forward depth allows them to play four lethal lines that have the chance to score at any moment. <\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/j\/johnsan01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Andreas Johnsson<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has been great since being called up with the Leafs, although he may sit, along with <\/span><b><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hockey-reference.com\/players\/l\/leivojo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Josh Leivo<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for the playoffs. The Leafs can definitely make a Cup run, but they would need to potentially face two of the best teams in the NHL in Boston and Tampa Bay within the first two rounds. It\u2019s not unthinkable, but the Leafs need to play tight defensively to give themselves a chance<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Main Image Credit:<\/p>\n<div class=\"getty embed image\" style=\"background-color: #fff; display: inline-block; font-family: Roboto,sans-serif; color: #a7a7a7; font-size: 11px; width: 100%; max-width: 594px;\">\n<div style=\"padding: 0; margin: 0; text-align: left;\"><a style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/941506314\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n<div style=\"overflow: hidden; position: relative; height: 0; padding: 66.66667% 0 0 0; width: 100%;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" style=\"display: inline-block; position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; margin: 0;\" src=\"\/\/embed.gettyimages.com\/embed\/941506314?et=6evY7PMDTP9aVvxHUY-Omw&amp;tld=com&amp;sig=_MlDvuVgUwyNa-_v1T3EfJ7YOJqvgSdFk07p5BdFtvU=&amp;caption=true&amp;ver=1\" width=\"594\" height=\"396\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs have had their ups and downs this season. It started out where Frederik Andersen couldn\u2019t make a save, yet the Leafs could score at will. Then November rolls around and the roles switch. Andersen became one of the hottest goalies from November through January, but the team seemed to lose its [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2399,"featured_media":26522,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[2629,37,38,539,1109,72],"class_list":["post-26491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-leafs","tag-frederick-andersen","tag-hockey","tag-nhl","tag-stanley-cup","tag-stanley-cup-playoffs","tag-toronto-maple-leafs"],"modified_by":"Tyger Allen, Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26491","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2399"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=26491"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/26491\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/26522"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=26491"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=26491"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/hockey\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=26491"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}