Puck Prose
Fansided

NHL Playoff Power Rankings: A lot of Surprises Await.

By Trin Potratz

Apr 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to his players during a time-out called late in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. The Blue Jackets beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock talks to his players during a time-out called late in the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. The Blue Jackets beat the Maple Leafs 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 17
Next
nhl playoff power rankings
Apr 9, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) celebrates his goal with center Mitch Marner (16) and center Tyler Bozak (42) in the second period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Previous Ranking: N/A (-)

Team Record: (40-27-15)

Goals For:

251

Goals Against:

242

Special Teams

PP: (23.8 percent) (2nd)
PK: (82.5 percent) (10th)

Injury List

Nikita Zaitsev – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Roman Polak – Lower-Body – Day-to-Day
Josh Leivo – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day
Eric Fehr – Upper-Body – Day-to-Day
Nikita Soshnikov – Undisclosed – Day-to-Day
Joffrey Lupul – Abdomen – Indefinitely
Stephane Robidas – Knee – Day-to-Day
Nathan Horton – Back – Indefinitely

Statistical Leaders in 2016-17

Top Forward: Auston Matthews (82gp 40g 29a 69pts)
Top Defenseman: Jake Gardiner (82gp 9g 34a 43pts)
Top Rookie: Auston Matthews (82gp 40g 29a 69pts)
Top Goaltender: Frederik Andersen (33 wins 2.67GAA .918 save percentage)

Player of the Season: F Auston Matthews (82gp 40g 29a 69pts)

When you think of teams being carried by rookies you might think of Columbus since they finished third in the East. But for all rights and purposes, Toronto is that team. Three of their rookies finished in the top five in rookie scoring with Auston Matthews pegged as the Calder winner. And even though Frederik Andersen started off the season rather shaky, he turned that around real quick. The signing of Jhonas Enroth didn’t quite work out but the waiver pickup of Curtis McElhinney definitely did.

The Leafs have surprised all season and in that surprise, Toronto has played their way into the playoffs which came down to game 81 against Pittsburgh when they were able to win and clinch the spot. Every area of the ice has been tightened up on the team from scoring to special teams. And while they’re not expected to make a lengthy playoff run, they could surprise since they are a mysterious team that has a habit of beating top teams but losing to the bottom ones.

Player to watch: James van Riemsdyk

2016-17 stats: 82gp 29g 33a 62pts

James van Riemsdyk is absolutely clutch, so when Toronto is trailing in a game and they need scoring you can feel good when JVR touches the puck because something is going to happen. Now while the rookies, mainly Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner are guys to keep your eyes on. James van Riemsdyk is right up there with them since he possesses the experience.

Home/NHL News