Washington Capitals Vs. Maple Leafs: Five Questions With The Enemy
Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
The Washington Capitals (20-11-7) are prepared to take on the Toronto Maple Leafs (21-16-3) on Wednesday. The Washington Capitals are coming off a 4-3 win over the Florida Panthers. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, which got their head coach fired. The Washington Capitals are 7-1-2 in their last ten games, while the Maple Leafs are 3-7-0.
The last time the Washington Capitals and Maple Leafs squared off, the Maple Leafs won 6-2. The Washington Capitals own a 0-1-0 record against the Panthers this season and an all-time 64-53-10-6 record.
What better way to learn about the opposing team than asking an opposing blogger about them? I asked Todd Little from Editor in Leaf, Fansided’s Maple Leafs blog, five questions about the Panthers. He was gracious enough to answer them for me. I added my insight as well.
Washington Capitals Vs. Maple Leafs: Know Your Enemy
Q: Who would you say has been the Maple Leafs MVP this season? Who’s been their least valuable player? Who do you think is their most underrated player? Who’s been their biggest surprise?
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Tim: I think that the MVP is Jonathan Bernier. Without him the Leafs wouldn’t be sitting in a playoff position right now. His 93.32% 5v5 save percentage is only behind Pekka Rinne and Carey Price for goalies with at least 1200 minutes played – that’s how good he’s been for Toronto.
Least valuable I’d have to say is Jake Gardiner. He’s been a huge disappointment this season with only 9 points in 37 games as an offensive defenseman. If there was a category for Laziest Player he’d get that too.
Most underrated, hmm. I’ll go with Mike Santorelli – and he’s my pick for biggest surprise as well – because I don’t think people realize just how great his play has been for Toronto. He was a filler pickup for Toronto in the off-season and, much like Mason Raymond last year, he’s put up solid numbers for the Leafs so far. He never quits, makes plays and brings a priceless amount of energy to the team on every shift and I don’t think he’s received the credit yet that he deserves for his play in Toronto this year.
Me: I’d agree with all those picks. The Washington Capitals must get to Bernier. The way he’s been playing, that’s a lot easier said than done. Gardiner’s been depressing. I drafted him in fantasy, and luckily I was able to swap him (and another player) early on for John Carlson. Santorelli is a guy who the Washington Capitals must keep an eye on. He’s very good.
Q: The Leafs just fired their head coach, Randy Carlyle. Do you think that they made the right decision? Who would you like to see as their new head coach?
Tim: They definitely made the right decision. The Leafs are trying to move to a more analytical approach to the game and Randy Carlyle just doesn’t have that type of vision. His “system” has been a failure and it was probably time to move on prior to the start of this year. As for his replacement, I’d like the Leafs to give some serious thought to Jeff Blashill – the coach of the Detroit Red Wings AHL affiliate – who is rising quickly in the coaching ranks. Whoever they decide on it’s going to be a person who is ready and willing to take a possession approach to the game.
Me: Couldn’t agree more. This reminded of the Washington Capitals and Adam Oates. The Caps fired him when they should have. The Leafs didn’t fire Carlyle when they should have, and they paid for it. I love Blashill as a coaching candidate. I wouldn’t completely rule out Dan Bylsma. Got to think he’d love to work with those forwards. I’m a big fan of Peter Horachek though. Excited to see what he does with Toronto.
Q: The Leafs have been thriving despite allowing a lot of shots and a high shooting percentage. Do you think that this style of play is sustainable for them?
Tim: It’s not sustainable – and I know that’s not what Leafs fans want to believe. When you consistently let your goaltender get bombarded with shots and rely on a ludicrous shooting percentage you’re asking for another epic collapse. It hasn’t been sustainable in the past (see last year, and the playoffs against Boston) and it won’t be sustainable in the future. The Leafs need to play a more sound defensive game so the 18 wheeler doesn’t fly off the mountain again when the shooting percentage comes back down to earth.
Me: The 2013-2014 Washington Capitals agree.
Q: Jonathan Bernier has been great in goal for the Maple Leafs this season, often times keeping them in games despite facing a ton of shots. Do you think that he is the long-term solution in goal for the Leafs?
Tim: I love Jonathan Bernier. I think he’s a superstar goaltender that’s being deprived of that credit because of how bad the Leafs in general can look. Since he arrived in Toronto only Tuukka Rask and Carey Price have a better even strength save percentage (minimum 3000 minutes) than Bernier. He’s a top level, elite goaltender in the NHL and he’s definitely the answer in goal the Leafs have been after for over a decade. They just have to put a better team in front of him so he doesn’t burn out before he turns 30.
Me: Bernier is one of the few goalies I’d take over Braden Holtby.
Q: Washington Capitals-Leafs score prediction?
Tim: 3-2 Leafs after they rally around their assistant coaches turned head coaches.
Me: I’ll go 4-2 Washington Capitals.