The Toronto Maple Leafs rode impressive metrics to a division crown for the first time since 1999-20. Their North Division banner has earned them a playoff matchup with the Montreal Canadiens for the first time since 1979. The Habs faltered down the stretch, but there’s reason to back the underdogs in the first-round series.
Toronto Maple Leafs Analysis: Strengths Offset by Questionable Metrics
There are plenty of reasons to back the Maple Leafs in the opening round. Toronto finished the regular season with the second-best expected goals percentage in the league across all strengths. The Leafs’ biggest strength was their offensive production metrics.