The Leafs team, albeit it's early yet, have really showed some marked improvement in all facets of the game. Their even strength numbers have improved, their power play proficiency has improved, and lastly, their penalty kill percentage is top tier in the NHL now.
However, one glaring weakness is becoming apparent in the last few games: a lack of offence outside of Phil Kessel and the streaking Clarke MacArthur—a player who has never scored over 20 goals in his career.
In the last 125 minutes or so of hockey, the Leafs could only muster two goals against a 41- year-old ageless wonder and Martin Biron, two pretty good back-up goaltenders, but not elite level starters.
Repeated chances in on breakaways, shots on goal that miss the net by a few feet, but most notably, when they get pressure in the offensive end, the top six seem to rarely have the ability to sustain that pressure.
Players such as Tyler Bozak, Phil Kessel and Mikhail Grabovski has been getting knocked off the puck left, right and center. Bozak just recently was benched by coach Ron Wilson in an effort to play a better all around game and get after the puck better.< ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Brad LeClair
Leafs Talk: Are the Leafs’ Top Six Still Too Small To Be Competitive in the NHL?
October 23rd, 2010 by Brad LeClair Leave a reply »
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