Toronto's special teams with former Maple Leafs assistant coach Andrew Brewer - MLHS Podcast Ep. 50

·1 hr 2 min·5 clips

Former Leafs coach reveals how the team's new power play setup targets a critical weakness in NHL penalty kills.

The episode begins with hosts Nick Ashbourne and Anthony Petrielli recapping a recent eventful stretch for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They discuss a 5-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets that turned into a miraculous comeback, debating whether it highlights offensive firepower or defensive vulnerabilities. The conversation shifts to a win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, noting the team's ability to dominate despite Auston Matthews' absence. Roster topics include Max Domi's role, Nick Robertson's inconsistency, and Timothy Liljegren's return from injury. Goaltending is a focus, with Ilya Samsonov's struggles contrasted against Martin Jones' unexpected reliability. The hosts then introduce guest Andrew Brewer, a former Maple Leafs assistant coach and video coach for Team Canada. Brewer provides an in-depth analysis of the Leafs' special teams. He explains the 'spread' power play alignment, which uses two players near the net to create outnumbered situations against modern diamond penalty kills. Brewer details the historical context, including how Auston Matthews initially avoided the one-timer spot before developing it into a weapon. He discusses Mitch Marner's playmaking role and the philosophy behind using a single top power play unit versus splitting time. On the penalty kill, Brewer addresses the Leafs' long-standing issue of not using top centers like Matthews and William Nylander earlier in their careers. He notes the team's improvement after a trip to Sweden allowed for practice and system synchronization. Brewer highlights the importance of defensemen aggressively challenging half-wall players. The episode concludes with Brewer comparing the intense media scrutiny in Toronto to the pressure of the World Juniors, emphasizing its mental health impact on players.

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