Scoring chance summary - Through 21 games

This is a quick summary of the Leafs' chance performance through the first 21 games. First, the team totals:

Overall				ES				PP				SH
ChF	ChA	Net	%	ChF	ChA	Net	%	ChF	ChA	Net	%	ChF	ChA	Net	%
313	400	-87	43.9%	230	296	-66	43.7%	77	7	70	91.7%	6	97	-91	5.8%

Game 21 - Leafs 5, NY Islanders 2 - Leafs control Tavares line, win over Islanders

Toronto's first game against the Islanders had some touchy moments, but overall was a fairly strong one, relative to their normal performances, and they were able to resist a couple of late challenges from the Isles to get a second straight win.

The first was a pretty low impact period, as after Trevor Smith opened the scoring inside the first 30 seconds, there were just 6 more chances in the frame. The Isles then took some control early in the second, outchancing Toronto 5-1 in the first 9 minutes, only to allow Toronto to get back level in the second half. During this time, the Leafs scored a powerplay goal to extend the lead, but Casey Cizikas' late marker pulled them back within one to start the third.

The third was the most open period, the two teams exchanging plenty of chances. Toronto pulled back two ahead through Raymond, then Clarkson provided further insurance, with a late Kessel goal securing victory.

This was the 3rd consecutive game in which the Leafs didn't lose ES chances, their second such streak of the season. While trading chances so much with a lead in the third period isn't ideal, the Leafs were at least able to keep pace.

A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	NY Islanders	Toronto	NY Islanders
1	4	3	4	3
2	6	8	5	6
3	10	10	8	8
Total	20	21	17	17

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Game 20 - Leafs 4, Buffalo 2 - Leafs get revenge against Sabres, but almost lose it in the 3rd

The second part of a back-to-back with struggling Buffalo ended much better for the Leafs, as they earned a solid home win to break even. However, there were some major problems late in the game, as Toronto had one of its worst third periods of the season.

Through two, this was a dream game for the Leafs, they were up 3-0 after JVR scored a pair and Nik Kulemin broke his goalscoring drought, and had outchanced Buffalo 12-3 overall and 11-2 at even strength, including blanking the Sabres at even strength in the second.

The third was a strong answer from Buffalo; this is likely at least partially down to score effects, but getting outchanced 10-2 at even strength is concerning whatever the score is. Two goals early in the period meant Buffalo was chasing an equalizer for a good 12 minutes, but they weren't able to get past Reimer again, and Raymond scored a late powerplay goal to restore the Leafs' two goal lead.

Toronto won scoring chances again, though only barely, as they squandered most of their advantage in the first 2/3rds of the game in the final period. In fact, with this win, the Leafs outchanced their opposition in back-to-back games for the first time all season.

A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	Buffalo	Toronto	Buffalo
1	9	2	8	2
2	3	1	3	0
3	5	11	2	10
Total	17	14	13	12

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Game 19 - Buffalo 3, Leafs 1 - Toronto outchances Buffalo, but loses

Toronto's game with the last-placed Sabers would have seemed an easy one a couple of weeks ago, but a couple of factors made it tougher. Buffalo were coming in with a new head coach, after Ron Rolston was removed, and Nazem Kadri's suspension leaving the Leafs with only one regular NHL centre in Jay McClement.

The opening frame was fairly light on action, with Buffalo having some powerplay chances, but the even strength game pretty quiet. Toronto seized control in the second, pulling out to a lead, but allowed Buffalo to score on two of their five chances to end up with the lead after two.

The third saw a good example of score effects, as the Leafs had the better of the play, and kept Buffalo from getting any chances in the frame. While Toronto came close, and had a spectacular chance to tie blocked by Ehrhoff in the final minute, they weren't able to get a goal, and ended up going down on the road.

Toronto hadn't won the scoring chance battle at even strength since they played Anaheim, but got a dominant win in a game they ended up losing, mostly due to that dominant final period.

A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	Buffalo	Toronto	Buffalo
1	2	5	2	2
2	8	5	6	3
3	7	0	6	0
Total	17	10	14	5

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Game 18 - Minnesota 2, Leafs 1 (SO) - Leafs blow lead in third period, Kadri suspended

Toronto completed its season series with the Wild, as they headed to Minnesota. The last game with the Wild saw Toronto get badly outchanced, Minnesota call on Josh Harding from the bench, and the Leafs pulling out a win. The return trip saw the first two parts the same, but Toronto weren't able to finish off the third, blowing a late lead and falling in the shootout, despite some excellent penalty killing.

The first period was a relatively even contest, with both sides having some powerplay opportunites, but not generating a lot at even strength. After that, though, the ice started to tilt Minnesota's way. They dominated the second at even strength, and Toronto was extraordinarily fortunate to have the lead after two periods.

The third period was again a struggle; with Minnesota generating some early chances on the powerplay, then getting a 5-minute stretch of man-advantage when Nazem Kadri was ejected. Toronto's PK was excellent for that time, allowing just one chance in the five minutes, but the Leafs gave up a goal in the last five minutes, Kessel giving the puck away, then having it deflect in off his skate. Minnesota looked like they might seize the win, generating a lot of pressure in the closing minutes, but Toronto held on for overtime. The Leafs have been good in extra sessions this year, and that didn't change in this game, as they came close through Rielly before losing out in the shootout.

Toronto's abysmal second period left them well behind in ES chances, while the amount of penalties they took helped to boost Minnesota's overall advantage.

A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	Minnesota	Toronto	Minnesota
1	5	5	2	3
2	4	10	2	8
3	3	11	3	6
4	2	0	2	0
Total	14	26	9	17

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Game 17 - Boston 3, Leafs 1 - One strong period can't sustain Leafs in Boston

A return to the scene of the crime for the Leafs, with their first game against Boston since they lost Game 7 of the first round series last year. They had a very strong second period, but struggled in the first and third, and being down by only one in the final minute was closer than it felt like they should have been.

The Leafs substantial chance deficit in the first mostly came down to a couple of bad shifts that saw Boston generate multiple chances, with the Bruins' goal coming on the powerplay.  The second saw a strong response from the Leafs, as they pulled the game even on ES chances, as well as getting a goal which wasn't a chance; Lupul roofed a shot from just outside the scoring chance  area. However, a late double minor against JVR left the Leafs killing a penalty across the intermission, and they'd pay in the third, Bergeron scoring to put the Bruins ahead.

After that, Boston were able to successfully kill off the game, allowing just a single ES chance against the rest of the way. The Leafs did get some chances on a powerplay with ten minutes left, but Boston's D totally shut down the game after that, with the last scoring chance for either team coming with 9:45 left.

That shutdown in the third prevented a possible Leafs comeback, and saw them lose the scoring chance battle again, by 6 overall and 4 at even strength.

A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	Boston	Toronto	Boston
1	3	9	3	7
2	7	5	7	3
3	4	6	1	5
Total	14	20	11	15

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Game 16 - Leafs 2, New Jersey 1 (SO) - Magic from Kessel saves a lackluster Leafs team

After a long week without Leafs hockey, Toronto got back into action with a home game that served as both their Remembrance Day game and the yearly Hall of Fame game. The opponents were New Jersey, who have struggled to score goals this season, something that wouldn't change in this game.

A dull first period didn't see many chances for either side, despite a lot of Toronto powerplay time, including a double minor to Tedenby and a decent stretch of 5-on-3 for the Leafs. The second period was more lively, as New Jersey dominated, outside of a good Leafs outing on the power play. Jonathan Bernier was excellent, turning aside 10 Jersey chances in the period.

In the third, it was again Toronto's powerplay that was key, as it generated three of the four chances they managed, including the opening goal, a gorgeous solo rush from Phil Kessel that will get replayed on lot of highlight shows. New Jersey responded with 3 chances of their own, but their goal actually wasn't a chance, Bernier managing to deflect a harmless looking shot up and over his own shoulder to tie the game.

Toronto had a couple of good chances in the extra frame, forcing a great save out of Schneider on a 3-on-1, and was able to get the win in the shootout, where New Jersey's has an abysmal record, yet to score this year.

Toronto being heavily outchanced at even strength continues a pattern, but a good powerplay effort was able to save them in this one.


A summary of the scoring chances:

Status	Overall		ES
Team	Toronto	New Jersey	Toronto	New Jersey
1	4	2	3	2
2	7	10	3	10
3	4	3	0	3
4	3	0	3	0
Total	18	15	9	15

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