North Division: How the Canucks stack up vs. the Maple Leafs
Goaltending comparison
Both Braden Holtby and Frederik Andersen will be looking to bounce back in 2021 as they both experienced career-low save percentage totals. Holtby — a Stanley Cup champion and Vezina winner — dropped below 0.900 for the first time in his career (0.897 SV%), and Andersen posted an acceptable 0.909 SV%.
As for the back-ups, Jack Campbell has been solid across his young NHL career, but he only saw the crease six times with the Leafs last season. Splitting time with Toronto and L.A., he started a total of 26 games.
Thatcher Demko was an average back-up goalie in 2019-20, but he burst onto the scene after a mesmerizing playoff performance where he stopped 128 of 130 shots in replacement of an injured Markstrom. Ultimately, that was enough for management to determine that their goaltender of the future has arrived.
Andersen could potentially come out on top as the best starting goaltender, but in terms of a duo in a very crammed 56-game schedule, Demko and Holtby should be the better pairing.
Special teams
Last season, Vancouver’s power play and penalty kill were ranked fourth and 16th, respectively. The Maple Leafs had the sixth-best man-advantage and the 21st ranked penalty kill.
It’s clear both team’s PK units can be better. But much like 2019-20, both teams will thrive on special teams play, especially when they’re sending out their top PP unit to get the job done. Pettersson and the Canucks have a minuscule advantage but the pure skill on the Leafs is no joke.
This series could come down to which team can play a more disciplined style in order to keep themselves out of the penalty box. Both teams have a lethal man-advantage that will make you pay.
Players to watch
Boeser: Tit for tat, both teams match up quite evenly offensively. The deciding factor in this series could very well come down to which topline winger can find his scoring touch the fastest. If placed on the Lotto Line, Boeser has the potential to be the Canucks biggest goal scorer.
Nylander: After an off-year that resulted in just seven total goals for Nylander, the Swede broke out in 2019-20 by putting up 31 goals through 68 games. If he can keep that pace going in 2021, the Leafs will remain a massive offensive threat.
Keep your eyes open for more North division previews!