Suddenly – in less than two weeks – the Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves in an unexpected and disappointing situation. After a first round victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning, they met the team most Toronto fans had hoped they would meet in the second round – the Florida Panthers.
Surprise, the Panthers have proven too much for the Maple Leafs. As a result, the team found itself in a deep hole. They lost the first three games of the second round series. Now they face elimination early tonight on Foreign Ice in Game 4.
This is clearly not a good situation for the Maple Leafs to be in. Also, after that huge First Round victory, the current three-game-to-nil deficit against the Panthers has brought back some harsh memories from the past. Match disappointments. [Think the team’s collapse against the Montreal Canadiens in the bubble a couple of years back.]
In this blog, I’ll explore three major points of concern for the Maple Leafs and suggest some creative thinking in the lineup to help them recover.
Related: The Maple Leafs must move Marner to the third line for Game 4
Quick Hit One: A Game of Disappointment and Blame
The unexpected result of the team led to a huge and understandable disappointment for the fans. I feel for it, and I’m not usually down for things like this. However, the team faces widespread criticism about just about everything. Really, I see. While it’s obvious that the team is down three games to zero, it’s really hard to pinpoint a single factor as to why that was.
Besides the deep hole the team finds itself in, there is also a barrage of criticism from all angles and from a number of different sources. These sources include the media and fans. Additionally, because the issues are multifaceted, each of the team’s perceived shortcomings is on display to point out. This includes coaching, lack of offensive production, mistakes on defense, goalkeeping, and even past signings.
Quick Strike Two: The team now needs some strategic decision making
If the Maple Leafs are to have any chance of emerging from the hole they are in, they must stress and focus on the importance of the immediate future and work methodically to determine the best course of action. The decisions that need to be made will highlight the importance of placing the best 18 players in the squad in the most effective positions. In other words, where would each player have the best chance of success?
It is now the job of the coaching staff to develop a better deployment plan for the players that will help ensure their best performance. Those decisions include team chemistry and the type of encounters – for or against – that promise the most productivity.
The only thing that seems immutable is the position of the goalkeeper. Today, it was reported that Ilya Samsonov will not be able to start between the tubes in tonight’s match. This means that the network is Joseph Walls. Given his youth and lack of solid experience in the game, we can’t tell how he’ll respond. There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding his level of play. However, I am hopeful.
Related: Postseason Maple Leafs: What a sickening development
Third quickie: some creative thinking in the lineup makes sense
However, perhaps the biggest burden the team carries is the lack of production from the team’s senior players. No member of the team’s Core Four has scored a single goal in this series. In fact, the group has only four assists in three games so far.
This is far from good enough. The result is that some juggling is likely to be required. at a post earlier today hockey bookwebsite, my co-author Stan Smith and I have often suggested that Mitch Marner be moved to the third line.
Such a move might tend to mediate some of Marner’s lack of production; Or it might encourage him to produce more. Looks like it just needs a reset.
bottom line
The Maple Leafs are faced with a challenging situation, but the way out is easy to consider but difficult to implement successfully. The only way to succeed is for the team to band together and focus on one game at a time.
As mentioned above, there is a need to make strategic decisions, adjust the creative line-up, and continue to believe in the team’s abilities. Obviously, when a team is three games behind, there is no quick fix or magic bullet.
However, there is a thoughtful analysis of the situation, then the need to make the necessary adjustments, and finally the will to implement a successful game plan. If the Maple Leafs can do these three things, there is a chance they can start to overcome the challenges they face.
Related: Somehow this maple leaf mess looks so much worse