While the Leafs have gotten off to a strong start in the standings (16-6-6), it would be fair to attribute some of the team’s middling results to their relative weakness on defense. The team is 18th in shot attempt share at five-on-five, 19th in expected goals, and is only outscoring opponents 64-60 at five-on-five to this point (they were below 50% in five-on-five goal share before Saturday’s blowout win over Pittsburgh).
The Leafs forwards are talented, and there is scoring depth – the team ranks second in the league in goals per game. Where they often run into trouble is breaking out and moving the puck up the ice cleanly and efficiently.