Toronto Maple Leafs: Issues Are Not Just With One Netminder
Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t just suffering from a case of ‘Bad Goalie’ anymore
Last season, the Toronto Maple Leafs — or, at the very least, their passionate fan base — placed a tremendous heaping of blame on backup netminder James Reimer when his fill-in for Jonathan Bernier resulted in a playoffs-evading collapse.
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Many were less than thrilled to see Reimer return at the start of the 2014-2015 season, but Bernier — who had been the team’s salvation the season prior — was off to the rougher start of the two.
The Leafs were inconsistent but surviving at the start of the season. Reimer posted a couple of impressive wins, and although the team seemed streaky, the season looked like it could have a different ending from the last.
That is, until the team fell 6-2 to the Buffalo Sabres.
Reimer, who had been awarded the start for that game, deflected an onslaught of hate for the loss. Consequently, the team started Jonathan Bernier in the next game, played Tuesday night against the Nashville Predators.
Bernier lasted all of twenty minutes before being yanked.
After stopping merely 9 of 12 shots on goal in the first period, the Leafs replaced Bernier with his backup… who allowed another six goals before the final buzzer. His .760 SV% was only .010 better than Bernier’s .750 in a horrific 9-2 loss to the Western Conference franchise.
What was the big problem? The stats for both teams looked similar enough. 35-31 SOG, with Nashville only getting four more than Toronto. The Leafs won the majority of face-offs, and only accounted for two more penalty minutes than their opponents of the monstrous 34 PIM combined. It’s easy to say that the Leafs looked out of place… but why?
One thing is clear, though — the franchise must figure out the problem soon, or they’ll be out a coach before Christmas.
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