3 Questions The Maple Leafs Must Answer To Find Their Feet Again – Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto maple leaves have been going through a rough patch lately, and a closer look at their lineup and recent performance helps explain why. Injuries, in particular, continue to influence results in ways that aren’t always in box scores. Add to that the act of juggling good entenders and promising callers like Easton Cowan, and you begin to see the group trying to hold their vanity while facing disruption.

While these features don’t explain everything, the question now is how each piece fits into the bigger picture. Chris Tanev’s absence exposed the balance of the Maple Leafs’ defense? What will the team do with Joseph WOLL as he works his way back from injury and the challenges of a big role in goal? And can the power of unity and power of cowan give toronto the spark it has been missing?

One Question: How much is Chris Tanev’s injury affected the maple leaves?

It is probably no coincidence that one of the reasons maple leaves are struggling now is the absence of tanev. In the six full games Tanev played this season, averaging less than 20 minutes per game with high competition, the Maple Leafs were a solid 3-2-1. When Tanev was on the ice for most of the game, Toronto’s record improved to 4-2-1 with a .643 winning percentage. Remove him from the lineup, and the team goes 4-6-1 (.409).

Tanev’s existence is not just about numbers. He brings time and tenacity. In one game against the new Jersey demons, Toronto was leading 1-0 when he left injured; The Devilys scored 30 seconds later and went on to win 5-2. In another game where Tanev was out with an injury, the Maple Leafs were up 4-1 in the third. They were very lucky and managed to hold on for a 5-2 win.

Obviously, Tanev stabilizes both the defense and confidence structures, and without him, the maple leaves are more vulnerable in critical moments.

Related: Maple Leafs lose Matthews & Stolarz to injury in Bruins loss

Question Two: How would Joseph Wollus have been affected by the Maple Leafs’ Goaltes Foaltes Wonder?

Toronto is back and ending its streak. Woll played a full game for the American Hockey League (AHL) Toronto Marlies on Wednesday, allowing two goals on 27 shots before delivering the overtime winner against the Grand Rapids Griffins. In two games in his cleanup, he posted a .885 save percentage (SV%) and 3.76 goals-against (Gaa) over 97 minutes. The numbers aren’t flashy, but he shows promise in terms of rebounding ability and composure.

With Anthony Stolalarz injured, the Maple Leafs are faced with a decision: keep tagging with the marlies for added status or recall him to the big club. Cap space is tight – more than $ 1.3 million – which means that any movement would require the ress’s handling of the maple leaves how this can show how confident they are that they are good enough to get into a big role.

Question Three: When Easton Cowan returns, can he bring the necessary energy?

Finally, there are cowans. He was not in the Marlies lineup on Wednesday. That’s assuming he can remember the maple leaves during today’s home game against the Los Angeles Kings.

Related: Inside the Maple Leafs’ Deflents Breakdowns and a broken structure

Looking at Cowan’s two AHL games, he started out slow but quickly caught on for all the right reasons. He was relentless on the forecheck, created open ice with the puck, and his passing was a step above anyone else on the ice. He registered just one assist in a 5-2 win at Hershey, but his lineman, Travis Boyd, thrived, scoring two goals and two assists.

In that game, thanks to the important addition of Cowan, Boyd reminded viewers of Alex Steeves’ last season with the marlies. [And, sadly for the Maple Leafs, his current season with the Boston Bruins where he scored the insurance goal in the Bruins’ 5-3 win on Tuesday.]

Cowan’s presence signals an opportunity to inject energy, skill, and a smart hockey mentality into URTUGGLLING. It is difficult to say exactly what motivates the maple leaves, but with the way they have played inconsistently, it is difficult to imagine a situation where they are not trying to find a way to get a cowan through the Club.

The bottom row of maple leaves heading into Tonight’s Game

The maple leaves are in the lower tier of injury, player movement, and emerging talent. Tanev’s tenacity, Woll’s progress, and Cowan’s memory power all represent pieces of the maple leaf puzzle that need to fit together if they hope to find rhythm and harmony.

Related: Ranking Roople Leaple Leaff

The team desperately needs something to happen tonight; Otherwise, the slope will only get Slipperier.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs’ fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]