Leafs’ defence a work in progress
When Morgan Rielly took the ceremonial faceoff at the Hall of Fame Game Friday at Scotiabank Arena, it marked a proud moment for the Maple Leafs’ top defenceman.
It also underlined what has been a high water mark for Leafs defenceman in general, especially over the past two weeks.
Led by Rielly, Toronto’s blue line corps has enjoyed a spell of solid play while tackling its biggest nemesis — shots against.
Toronto’s shots against totals have been at or near the top of the league for the past two seasons. No. 1 goalie Freddie Andersen has faced more shots than any NHL goalie over that time period.
This season, however, Andersen is seeing roughly 2-3 shots less per game; Toronto has still given up 414 shots against — fifth-highest in the NHL — but Andersen was able to emerge from October with an above .900 save percentage. That’s the first time he’s cleared the opening month of the season at that mark in three seasons in Toronto
Heading into play Saturday, Andersen was tied for the NHL lead in wins (9), while posting a stellar .962 save percentage over his past five starts.
Andersen has been crediting his success in large part to his defence, which has been clearing shot lanes so he can follow the puck better, and boxing out opposition forwards.
And there have been less highpercentage chances of late, which has allowed Andersen to make key saves and not have to worry about rebounds as much.
Leafs coach Mike Babcock said earlier this week that in the past two five-game segments, the scoring chances against them have been at their lowest since the coach took over three seasons ago.
For a blue line that continues to be scrutinized for its lack of size and toughness, the fact the team is riding along in second place in the Atlantic Division with the second-highest win total in the NHL (11) reflects improvement.
“It was great, the first period was unbelievable. I think we limited their chances to barely any, actually,” Andersen said of his team’s defensive effort in a 6-1 win over the New Jersey Devils Friday at Scotiabank Arena. For Andersen, aboveaverage shots against numbers will likely continue to be a fact of life; Toronto was outshot in each of its last three games — all wins — and has been outshot in eight of its first 16 games.
Yet, the team’s overall defensive performance has helped Andersen excel under the pressure. For instance, in terms of high-danger chances against, Toronto has limited the opposition to single digit chances in five of its last six games.
That reflects better zone coverage by the entire team, better backchecking by the forwards and better breakouts.
It has also allowed for better offence from the blue line:
Travis Dermott is plus-65 in 5-on-5 shot differential (meaning he’s on the ice for 65 more shots for than against)..That’s the eighth-highest differential among Eastern Conference defenceman, and the highest on the Leafs.
Igor Ozhiganov owns a 58.7 mark in 5-on-5 shot attempts percentage when the Leafs are leading; that’s first among NHL rookie defenceman with 10 or more games played.
Rielly, meanwhile, is enjoying his best start to a season. He picked up a goal and an assist against the Devils, giving him six multi-point games this season.