Maple Leafs Faceoffs: Key Decisions Looming Ahead of Playoff Push

As the Maple Leafs approach the NHL playoffs, strategic questions surrounding their roster and game plans demand immediate attention. Recent insights from MLHS’ Anthony Petrielli, discussed on Real Kyper & Bourne, shed light on the team’s forward group, net-minding considerations, and critical defensive pairings, offering a transparent assessment of the Leafs’ readiness.

Petrielli’s analysis centered on the formidable strength of the Leafs’ top six, a unit he described as “fantastic” – headlined by the dynamic McMann-Tavares-Nylander line, and anchored by the emerging star potential of Knies, arguably the best left winger Matthews and Marner have seen in years.

“With the way it is configured, it all falls on the top six. You are not going to get much offense from the bottom-six lines. It is just the reality of it, but their top six is really good. Their top six, on paper, is fantastic. The McMann-Tavares-Nylander line is winning their minutes. The top line is a legitimate top line — one of the best in the league.

We’ve seen it in the past where the Leafs need the top line to win their minutes, and is the top line going to win their minutes notably against Barkov or matching up between the Point and Cirelli lines? If they don’t, is the third line giving them anything?

The power play’s performance also remains a key consideration, though Petrielli acknowledges it hasn’t been a consistent strength historically. He suggests a high-performing power play could mitigate some of the limitations of the bottom six, a crucial element as they face Florida and Tampa Bay.

“Their power play is also humming. I am not ready to say that the power play is officially going to be good in the playoffs; I don’t think anything they could do now will make them feel good about it until they actually are good in the playoffs. We will see if they carry it through when they play Florida twice and Tampa, and at the same time, will they give anything up the other way in terms of shorthanded offense against? We saw some cracks last week with the shorty against San Jose, and LA could have scored twice.

With all of that said, a good power play would negate some of the lack of offense from the bottom six and if the top line goes up against Barkov with them scoring four and giving up three over a series, for example. A really good power play makes up for some of it.

The question of Max Pacioretty’s inclusion adds another layer to the equation. While he represents a potential goal-scoring threat, Petrielli contends that his impact isn’t transformative enough to fundamentally alter the Leafs’ strategic outlook.

“Not really, but could he get you a goal a series? It would be a big deal. When Florida acquired Tarasenko at the deadline last year, that is what Paul Maurice said to him: “We just need one goal from you every series.” I don’t think Pacioretty is as good as Tarasenko was last year, but for all of these guys — Laughton, Pacioretty, Domi — can they each get a goal per series? The top line and the power play should, theoretically, produce.

Regarding net decisions, Petrielli suggests a patient approach, advocating for the opportunity to observe Joseph Woll before committing to him for Game 1. He views Woll’s playoff experience as a potential advantage, prioritizing the continuation of observation over immediate selection.

“It is probably easier to turn to Joseph Woll if Anthony Stolarz doesn’t start well, but I am mindful of the fact that Woll is the only one who has started a playoff game before, and he has been good in the playoffs. I am still of the mind, “Let the season play out.”

Stolarz is going to start vs. Florida on Wednesday. We know Woll is going to get one of the two next week. We will probably have a better indication after these next 3-5 games. In there, you have Columbus, who has given the Leafs problems this year. They play Montreal coming up, and they are fighting for their lives, on top of the Florida and Tampa games. I want to see those games play out.

Furthermore, Petrielli expressed concerns around Morgan Rielly’s recent performance and the potential impact of decreased speed on his game. He highlighted the importance of Rielly’s partner, Brandon Carlo, and the stability provided by pairing them together. Whether Rielly’s game will improve with his current partner remains to be seen.

“I saw [Bourne’s] stats about his speed showing that it has been down this year. That is the problem, right? His game is predicated on speed. We are watching Tavares have an unbelievable year, and he was never a strong skater. If you are Rielly, you are looking at it and thinking, “If the skating is on the decline, you are in tough.” Even on the power play, when it comes to picking out the right pass and putting it in the wheelhouse, he is not a passer; he is a skater.

On the flipside, now you are playing Rielly-Carlo with Matthews, Marner, and Knies. It makes their life a lot easier. “Don’t get burned, move the puck up to those guys, and let them do their thing.”

Finally, Petrielli questioned whether Philippe Myers should receive playing time, suggesting a trial run with OEL as a solution to bolster the defense if necessary.

“Berube said he didn’t love OEL on the right last week. How are they justifying this, then? Play the righty. I don’t know if it would be better, but I don’t know why it isn’t worth trying.

Is Simon Benoit such a good second-unit PKer on the left-hand side? That is their justification at this rate: the penalty kill.

It is making OEL worse. We saw this earlier in the year when he went to the right. I don’t want to say his game fell apart, but it definitely trended down.

As the Leafs prepare to face Florida in a crucial Game 1, Petrielli’s insights suggest a delicate balancing act – capitalizing on a potent top six while addressing potential weaknesses in the bottom six and managing a crucial defensive pairing.

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