Have the MapleLeafs grown through their experiences and found a resiliency to push through the times when things don’t go their way? reporterchris looks at how a much different test could bring out a new mindset from the team.
This was a team that showed signs it was capable of competing for a championship in its best moments during the 2019-20 season. After Sheldon Keefe replaced Mike Babcock behind the bench on Nov. 20, nobody spent more time with the puck on their sticks in all three zones than Toronto did and nobody scored more goals.
Those were moments where doubts started to creep in about the big expectations hanging over the Leafs campaign. They showed that a high-octane offensive group could grow frustrated when the scoring chances dried up, which will be something John Tortorella’s Blue Jackets are counting on in a qualifying series where the coach is willing to play defencemen Seth Jones and Zach Werenski for half the game.
We should get an indication, one way or the other, in a series where they’re playing a team that blocks 32.2 per cent of the even-shot attempts in its own zone. One that takes away the middle of the ice effectively and isn’t prone to turning the puck over for the dangerous rush chances against. One that will identify the neutral zone as an area where the Leafs can be discouraged by not effectively getting in gear.
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