Post by Toronto Maple Leafs on Nov 27, 2022 12:02:59 GMT -6
As art always imitates life so to does sim hockey. This season for the Maple Leafs has had plenty of ups and downs just like the NHL version, the difference is the PFHL version seems to have turned the corner. Currently riding high on a 4 game winning streak these Leafs have battled back into a Wild Card position as of American Thanksgiving. A huge sign post for making the playoffs. These Leafs have found a way to outscore some of their defensive issues. Neither goalie has his a .900 save percentage this year, they a currently 21st in goals against but they are an impressive 6th in goals for.
Nik Ehlers is leading the team with 15 goals in his first 23 games putting him in the top ten for goals. No surprise that his Center Elias Petterson is second in points on the team at 26 points. The rest of the supporting cast are doing their jobs though including a strong trio of blue liners in Brett Pesce, Morgan Reilly, and rookie sensation Timothy Liljegren. He leads the blue line on the Leafs in Points, Goals, and assists while playing less ice time than the other two. Top paring Reilly and Pesce are playing over 22 minutes a night with the hardest match ups and still producing offensively.
The rest of the top 6 has really chipped in as a well with Strom (11G), Backstrom (21Pts), Niederreiter (19pts) and Mangiapane (9g) to keep filling the net. With two big 8 goal games this week the Leafs have figure out what they need to do until Markstrom finds his game. When asked about his season Markstrom had this to say:
“I am disappointed in how the season has started. I have had a few breakdowns that have cost us games and I need to be better. A team like this needs to get a big save once and a while and I haven’t been giving it to them so far this season”
Often his harshest critic teammates were quick to defend their goalie, with many saying there are too many break downs in their own end. Its clear he is their guy and the team will have to rally around him to secure a playoff spot. Current the up and down Leafs are on pace for a 93 pt season which is right on the fringe of playoff teams but expectations are to make the playoffs and cause some damage like last year when they get there. If Markstrom can return to his career .916 save % for the rest of the season that will go a long way to making that happen.
Good luck to all teams through the dog days of winter ahead.
Nik Ehlers is leading the team with 15 goals in his first 23 games putting him in the top ten for goals. No surprise that his Center Elias Petterson is second in points on the team at 26 points. The rest of the supporting cast are doing their jobs though including a strong trio of blue liners in Brett Pesce, Morgan Reilly, and rookie sensation Timothy Liljegren. He leads the blue line on the Leafs in Points, Goals, and assists while playing less ice time than the other two. Top paring Reilly and Pesce are playing over 22 minutes a night with the hardest match ups and still producing offensively.
The rest of the top 6 has really chipped in as a well with Strom (11G), Backstrom (21Pts), Niederreiter (19pts) and Mangiapane (9g) to keep filling the net. With two big 8 goal games this week the Leafs have figure out what they need to do until Markstrom finds his game. When asked about his season Markstrom had this to say:
“I am disappointed in how the season has started. I have had a few breakdowns that have cost us games and I need to be better. A team like this needs to get a big save once and a while and I haven’t been giving it to them so far this season”
Often his harshest critic teammates were quick to defend their goalie, with many saying there are too many break downs in their own end. Its clear he is their guy and the team will have to rally around him to secure a playoff spot. Current the up and down Leafs are on pace for a 93 pt season which is right on the fringe of playoff teams but expectations are to make the playoffs and cause some damage like last year when they get there. If Markstrom can return to his career .916 save % for the rest of the season that will go a long way to making that happen.
Good luck to all teams through the dog days of winter ahead.
