The omission of Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup has moved the spotlight from the sophomore star to goaltending, the club's next most valuable asset.
The Maple Leafs have gone a perfect 4-0-0 with Matthews sidelined and that can be credited almost entirely to the nearly flawless play of Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney.
The two have allowed just five goals on 153 shots - the most conceded by any team over the last 10 days - good enough for a save percentage of .967.
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Andersen has played in three of the four games, and looks to have resurrected his play after a dismal first month of the season. He posted a 1.30 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage in his starts, seeing dramatic improvements in both categories when comparing November (2.29 goals-against average and .931 save percentage) and October (3.46 goals-against average and .896 save percentage).
As for McElhinney, he contributed his best game of the season Saturday when he gave up just one goal on 39 shots against the Boston Bruins.
While the Leafs' netminders have been great, it hasn't come easy. Without Matthews in the lineup, the Maple Leafs have given up a lot more chances per game, a trend head coach Mike Babcock has noticed.
"We still give up too many shots, but we’re way lower in quality chances, and that gives our goalie a chance to get into the game," Babcock said Friday, according to Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star.
There is only one problem with this assertion from Babcock, the Maple Leafs are actually - at least at even strength - giving up more high-danger opportunities with Matthews out of the lineup.
| Stat | With Matthews | Without Matthews |
|---|---|---|
| Shots per game (all situations) | 32.27 | 38.25 |
| High-Danger shots per game | 5.5 | 6.5 |
| Medium-Danger shots per game | 8.2 | 7.25 |
| Low-Danger shots per game | 15.2 | 14 |
(Shot quality stats courtesy: First Line Stats)
The Maple Leafs are giving up an extra six shots and at even-strength they are allowing one extra high-danger chance per game with Matthews out of the lineup.
Given the numbers, it's quite clear that when Matthews - who currently sits with a Corsi for rating of 52.1 - is in the lineup, the Maple Leafs spend far less time in their own end. In summary: less Matthews leads to more work for the team's goaltenders.
Fortunately Matthews' absence hasn't necessarily spelled doom for the club's offense, as the Maple Leafs have still scored an average of three goals per game without their prized possession in the lineup.
Matthews is a game-time decision for Saturday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens which - as far as Andersen and McElhinney are concerned - could mean a lighter workload for the two who have risen to the occasion while their No. 1 center nursed an upper-body injury.
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