Anthony Stolarz is out for a while and that means the Maple Leafs needs to find their past offensive glory. David Alter explains.
Another day and another injury for the Toronto Maple Leafs.
What started as a “day-to-day” injury for goaltender Anthony Stolarz got a whole lot worse when Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving updated the status of his netminder. He will now be out 4-to-6 weeks to undergo a knee procedure to remove a “loose body” in his knee.
It’s a tough blow for Toronto’s goaltending that was bolstered by Stolarz’ play this season. When presumptive starter Joseph Woll was unable to make his scheduled start in the season opener due to groin tightness, Stolarz was pressed into duty. Signed to a two-year, $5 million contract by the Maple Leafs last summer. The goalender had seized the opportunity by posting a 9-5-2 record and a .927 save percentage. There was early talk that goaltender should be considered for the Vezina Trophy, and with good reason.
As Toronto went through a significant amount of injuries at the forward position that included No. 34, Max Domi, Max Pacioretty, David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, Bobby McMann, Connor Dewar and Matthew Knies to name many, Toronto had to rely on their defense and goaltending to get them through.
It’s paid off as Toronto is near the top of the league in average goals allowed per game, a sign that Craig Berube’s defensive-focused play was resonating.
The good news is that Joseph Woll is healthy and has performed well. But it’s kind of like walking on eggshells where you wonder if the increased workload he is about to see will be too much for the goaltending to handle.
Rookie Dennis Hildeby is 2-1-0 in his first three NHL games, but he hasn’t put up spectacular numbers. We may actually get to see veteran goaltender Matt Murray get a look if he’s able to get through his most recent injury with the Toronto Marlies, which is said to be, minor, no pun intended.
But now will be a real test for the Maple Leafs’ offense. They have not been lighting the lamp at the pace of previous years. If they are going to ride out this storm successfully, it’s going to have to be the offense carrying it through. Sunday’s 5-3 win against the Buffalo Sabres was an excellent example of that. Toronto score four or more even-strength goals for the first time since Nov. 30, and had to help make up for Hildeby’s slow start, allowing two goals on the first six shots faced. Domi scored for the first time this season in that game and Nick Robertson also got on the board with a goal and an assist after missing the last four games as a healthy scratch.
Toronto offense got clicking, and it really is going to be the only way through. It’s even at the point where they are going to try to get No. 34 and William Nylander going by putting a super-line together with Mitch Marner. While grinder Knies moves down to skate with John Tavares and Max Pacioretty. The bottom line in all of this is now is the time for you to put your money down on the regression to the mean. Toronto is due to for many games over the next few weeks with an offensive explosion and you should certainly hammer the over as a result of it. Toronto sits 20th in the NHL in average goals per game at the time of this writing. It’s due to move upward the red light is going to light up brighter than your neighbour’s Christmas Tree. It’ll just be up to Leafs to see if they can do it while being a responsible defensive team, too. Easier said than done.