Leafs unsung hero leads the NHL in a very important stat!

Don’t look now but the Toronto Maple Leafs are the best face-off team in the NHL. By winning 58.3% of their draws, the Leafs are tops in the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs for face-off winning percentage and they’re led by an unlikely candidate.

Acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning at the NHL trade deadline, Brian Boyle has been a solid acquisition by Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and general manager Lou Lamoriello. The 6’7”, 240 lb center has yet to score a goal in 25 total games for the Leafs but his contribution in the face-off circle during the team’s first four playoff games has made him a valuable addition. In fact, Boyle is second in the entire NHL in playoff face-off percentage with a whopping 66% success rate.

Maybe Boyle’s success in the dot shouldn’t come as a surprise, he’s been a positive (above 50%) face-off man for six consecutive seasons now and holds a 50.4% career face-off rating. If the Leafs are to continue their stunning run against the Capitals and extend their post season further into the Spring, they’ll need Boyle to be at the top of his face-off game.