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New York Rangers: Going for 2 in a row in Toronto

By Steve Paulus

TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers battles against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - DECEMBER 22: Filip Chytil #72 of the New York Rangers battles against Auston Matthews #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 22: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New York Rangers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – DECEMBER 22: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the New York Rangers during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on December 22, 2018 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Rangers 5-3. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

About the Maple Leafs

Toronto is regarded as one of the top teams in the Atlantic Division with many observers picking them as the consensus Division champion.  Getting Auston Matthews back will be a huge boost for the Leafs who have been held to three goals or fewer in their first three games.

With Matthews centering Mitch Marner and newcomer Nick Ritchie, that moves John Tavares to the second line with William Nylander and Michael Bunting.

The only remaining injuries are to goalie Petr Mrazek (lower body) and winger Ilya Mikheyev out with a broken thumb.

The Maple Leafs were one of the top offensive teams last season, averaging 3.32 goals per game, sixth most in the NHL.  They were also solid defensively, seventh best in the league allowing 2.64 goals per game.  Surprisingly, they were in middle of the pack on special teams with the 16th best power play and only 24th on the penalty kill.  They are another team that is good on the faceoff dots, winning over 51% of their draws.

In a crazy situation, when back up goalie Petr Mrazek missed Saturday’s game with Ottawa , due to their cap situation the Leafs couldn’t bring up a goalie from the minor leagues to replace him. Instead, they signed University of Toronto student Alex Bishop to a one-day Professional Tryout Contract. The 24-year-old student hadn’t played in an competitive game since February 2020.

After some cap maneuvering, the Leafs were able to call up Michael Hutchinson from the AHL to replace Mrazek who will be out for a couple weeks.   Jack Campbell remains the number one goalie for the Maple Leafs.  He is off to a great start with a 0.86 goals against average in three games.

The Maple Leafs are the poster child for cap space issues.  They have committed 49.7% of their space to Matthews, Marner, Tavares and Nylander.  That’s why they have players named Engvall, Bunting and Kampf among their top 12 forwards.

Ranger fans should get used to this.  Starting next season, the Blueshirts have 42.5% of their cap space committed to Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider and Trouba.   If they have to pay Adam Fox $9 million as many expect, that will mean they will have committed 53.5% of their cap space to five players.

Key departures from last year’s first place team are forwards Zach Hyman, Nick Foligno, Joe Thornton, Alex Galchenyuk and Riley Nash.  Goalie Frederik Andersen departed along with defensemen Zach Bogosian and Martin Marincin.

Key additions include free agent forward signees Nick Ritchie, David Kampf, Michael Bunting, Ondrej Kase and goalie Mrazek and defenseman Justin Holl.

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