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Small thread: Rewatched the Leafs game from last night to try to figure out what's wrong with their offense. They have 7 goals at 5v5 (and have given up 9). And are 20th in 5v5 xGF% (via Natural Stat Trick). Their shooting percentage is also 20th at 5v5. Some observations.
We know teams try to clog up the neutral zone, slow the game down and force dump+chase situations. It has been happening for years and is fairly common vs teams with fire power. But when they get chances, execution is poor. Clear 3v2 here and they go offside. No purpose or plan.
Here is one where a rare thing for the Leafs happens. Someone, in this case Tavares, actually drives the net. Instead of funneling the puck to the net here Vesey pulls up. Turnover. Not every play needs to be a perfect tic-tac-toe. Get sog with traffic. Keefe has mentioned this.
Now we see what happens with no net drive. Tavares is on his off wing and Nylander doesn't drive the net, he is peeling to the back side for a pass. So Russell can easily step up without worry and the play dies. Right after he drops to Vesey and floats to the side of the net.
In-zone they cycle back to the points *too* much, especially for a team with so much talent up front. They do well here to forecheck and create a turnover, Matthews has some space to come around the net but he isn't even thinking about it. Marner doesn't work to get open either.
Last one for today. Here they do work it back nicely for a good shot opportunity. But Kerfoot is easily boxed out and Nylander is chilling for a backdoor pass. These are not good scoring opportunities. If you're going to work the point, have to get traffic (see Kerfoot G vs OTT).
