Matthews battles in front of the net (Richard Lautens, Getty Images)
A poor effort by the Leafs spoiled the first Toronto game with 100% capacity in almost 2 years. The Leafs' goaltending struggles once again reared their ugly heads in a loss that proved there are still many problems in the crease.
Here are my 5 takeaways from an ugly loss against one of the league's worst teams.
1. Mrazek Fails An Easy Test
This should have been Petr Mrazek's chance to seize the starter job and prove to GM Kyle Dubas that he can lead the Leafs in the postseason. Instead, it was another stumble after what finally seemed to be some momentum. He'd been much better lately, shutting down Minnesota and playing fairly well against Washington. Strangely enough, this was Mrazek's first time taking back-to-back starts as a Leaf.
However, after allowing 5 goals on 31 shots, we're right back at square one. To be fair, a few of the goals that he conceded came off of bad bounces. However, for a Stanley Cup contender like the Leafs, goalies need to be elite. At the end of the day, you could have an amazing group of forwards and defensemen, but if you can't get stops by your goaltenders, you won't go anywhere. Campbell and Mrazek's struggles are threatening to destroy all that Dubas has created.
Admittedly, I am a staunch Dubas believer. I simply don't understand how the general manager could be blamed for this move. In 2021-22, Mrazek has disappointing numbers with an .890 SV% and a 2.62 GAA. Throughout his career, the Czech has a .910 SV% and 2.62 GAA. That's a dramatic drop-off that can't have been expected.
I still hypothesize that Jack Campbell will win this in the end, but both goalies are making it very easy for their counterpart to steal the job. One of the goalies needs to step up or the Leafs' ceiling will be capped.
Maybe the trade deadline could present some options. I'm not sure that the Leafs have the assets to go after a goaltender and a defenseman, but it wouldn't make sense for the team to go all-in if the crease situation is as uncertain as it currently is.
So what solutions are available, you may ask? Could it be Marc-Andre Fleury? Short answer: no. Could it be Braden Holtby? Maybe, but that doesn't really move the needle enough. Could it be James Reimer? I hope so.
2. TJ Brodie's Value Cannot be Overstated
Man, TJ Brodie might be the most underrated player on this whole team. He makes literally every defenseman look good. Heck, I could tie up the skates beside Brodie on the Leafs' second pair and I would probably have an expected goals mark of over 50.
Justin Holl has looked much better lately, notably pushing forward and using his decent offensive ability to create offense. Brodie's smart play has helped the Leafs be more aggressive with the puck. Brodie is one of the best safety blankets in the league. He is a very simple player, but similarly very effective. It's a scary thought to think about where the Leafs would be without Brodie.
It wasn't a brilliant night for that duo (frankly, outside of the third line, everybody struggled), but what really made me consider this point was just how poor Morgan Rielly was.
The Vancouver native had a few silly turnovers that were punished. Constant odd man rushes emerged due to Rielly's inability to hold down the zone. This is something we haven't seen with Rielly before and it begs the question: Would it have been as bad a game if he was paired with Brodie?
I personally think not. The Rielly-Sandin line didn't function and there must be a reason for that. Rielly has so much more freedom with Brodie by his side. This game simply taught us how valuable TJ Brodie really is.
3. Keefe Facing Expected Pressure
Was it realistic to expect that Sheldon Keefe would never come under any criticism? No, not at all. We're in Leafs Nation, one of the most critical fanbases in the entire NHL (for good reason, I might add). Since Mike Babcock, the villain of this whole Leafs story if it was ever made into a movie, was booted out, Keefe has seemed like the golden boy. Sure, he had that series loss to Columbus, but he never really had a chance to sculpt the team? Then he had the series loss against Montreal. Yeah, but he was without his captain for 99% of that series.
Finally, on an inauspicious March afternoon, the rumours are beginning to swirl around Toronto's head coach. His seat is growing ever hotter and there are a couple of legitimate reasons for it.
Firstly, his treatment of Nick Robertson has been strange. Robertson is capable of playing up on the second line with Tavares and Nylander, while also getting some power-play time. So why is he on the fourth line getting no ice time with the man advantage? The Leafs supposedly called him up to help his development, but he's better off playing in all situations with the Marlies than he is in sheltered minutes with the Leafs. If they're looking to trade him, they should maximize his value by putting him in positions to get more points.
I also thought that his comments in the press conference after the game about how John Tavares was played against. He's started to become known for being a bit peculiar in the media and putting his foot in his mouth at times. I'd like to see more growth from him as a representative of the team.
The Leafs have had a bit of trouble against lesser opponents this season. Keefe can't be completely absolved of the blame. He needs to prepare his roster better, so that they don't play down to those weaker teams.
If there's one thing we learned from Amazon Prime's All or Nothing documentary, it's that Keefe is a tremendous motivator. He is undoubtedly a good coach, and firing him doesn't seem like a smart course of action, even in the offseason. However, I must admit, there are some blossoming concerns about whether Sheldon Keefe is the guy to lead the Leafs to the promised land.
4. A Beast is Needed
Ilya Lyubushkin has been quite good in his brief Leafs tenure so far. He adds a different dimension to the team: a more physical style that they've been craving for years. I've been very impressed with him in a variety of situations.
However, Lyubushkin isn't enough. This game proved that the Leafs are not nearly physical enough for playoff hockey. They need a heavy, hard-hitting player who can at least chip in at both ends of the ice. Too often are the Leafs falling behind in the hit charts and that needs to change.
A player like Josh Manson or Cal Clutterbuck would be nice, but they may be too much of a commitment. Maybe Ottawa's Nick Paul or the Islanders' Zdeno Chara could fill a role. Either way, this team is a bit too dainty to go into a full series of playoff hockey. It takes a toll on your star players. The Leafs need some grit to help themselves out.
5. Admiring Craig Anderson
-two more wins until 300
.929 SV% in 48 career playoff games
-possible option for Leafs?
In the 104-year history of the National Hockey League, only 38 goaltenders have won 300 games. Craig Anderson should join that elusive group in the near future. He's a very underappreciated goaltender who has a chance to do something very special. His regular season numbers are quite good, but it's in the playoffs where Anderson really starts to emerge as a goalie in need of more credit.
In 48 career playoff games, Anderson has an outrageous .929 SV%. He was excellent in one of the most entertaining playoff runs of the last decade. The Ottawa Senators of 2016-17 had an excellent run with Guy Boucher behind the bench (remember him?), and Anderson was so good in the postseason.
The Ottawa Senators' all-time leader in wins as well as the winner of the 2017 Bill Masterton Award after taking leave to support his wife, who had throat cancer, is a player who goes under-the-radar.
I don't mean to be that guy, but could he be an option as a third goalie for the Leafs? It's entirely possible that Dubas picks him up. However, I feel like if the Leafs are to trade for a goalie, it will be a big swing. Let's see what happens, but I'd be surprised.
Nevertheless, Anderson has been a great NHL goalie for a while and he was very good last night for the Sabres.
ALL STATS COURTESY OF MONEYPUCK AND NATURAL STAT TRICK
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