4 Toronto Maple Leafs players who need to start setting up their play
The Toronto Maple Leafs return home as they continue their pursuit of top spot in the Atlantic Division and could use a boost from these three players.
As the Toronto Maple Leafs get set to see a half-capacity crowd at Scotiabank Arena, they are going to need every boost they can get as they try to improve their position in the Atlantic Division.
The Florida Panthers have a six-point cushion and while they have played two more games than the Leafs, they haven’t shown any signs of slowing down. Toronto has done what they could to remain in the top three and would likely want to move to at least second place in the division.
In their loss to the Calgary Flames, the Leafs were provided with a taste of playoff-style hockey and did not pass the test. It didn’t get any better with their loss to the Vancouver Canucks but they were able to avoid an 0-3 road trip with a victory over the Seattle Kraken.
Now, they get set to host the Pittsburgh Penguins who are one of the hottest teams in the Eastern Conference. They also have had the Leafs number this season with a 2-0 record including that ugly 7-1 loss to a Penguins team that was hit hard by COVID-19.
As they get ready for a big game, we look at four players who need improve their play if the Leafs want to start making a push up the standings.
Jack Campbell
After a rough 5-2 loss to the Flames where Calgary scored five unanswered, Jack Campbell‘s struggles were pushed to the forefront.
After going 3-1-1 in the month of December with a .909 save percentage and a 2.97 goals-against average, Campbell had a February to forget as he put up a .880 save percentage, 3.57 goals-against average despite having a 5-1-1 record. Safe to say, it’s not the type of goaltending that is going to get you far in the playoffs.
Interestingly enough, Campbell’s struggles have come against the Metropolitan Division where he has a 4-4-1 record with .905 save percentage and a 2.96 goals-against average. This is not terrible but it’s also below league and there will be some tough games against the Metro Division coming up starting with the Penguins.
The Leafs starter is one of the easiest people to root for considering he is one of the most well-liked players in the league. He knows better than anyone that he isn’t playing at the level that’s been expected of him lately but he gets a great chance to regain his form from earlier in the season.