Maple Leafs-Blue Jackets: Key statistics for Stanley Cup Qualifier series

NHL.com goes Behind the Numbers to identify key statistics for each of the eight best-of-5 series in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers. Today, a look at the matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Columbus Blue Jackets.

Special teams

The Toronto Maple Leafs power play was tied for fifth in the League with the Tampa Bay Lightning (23.1 percent) this season, but their penalty kill ranked 21st (77.7 percent). The Columbus Blue Jackets penalty kill was 12th in the NHL (81.7 percent), and their power play ranked 27th (16.4 percent). Why is this significant? The varying strengths could offset each team's potential advantage in the series, forcing them to rely upon even-strength scoring. If that is the case, Toronto holds the advantage in 5-on-5 goals, ranking third in the NHL with 159; Columbus ranked 26th with 125.

Shot attempts differential

The Maple Leafs' strong play at 5-on-5 is also apparent in their shot attempts differential, where they ranked fifth in the NHL (plus-270) behind the Vegas Golden Knights (plus-621), Montreal Canadiens (plus-595), Carolina Hurricanes (plus-513) and Los Angeles Kings (plus-401). This statistic shows that Toronto has, for the most part, created more shot attempts (missed, blocked, on net) than its opponents, which could prove to be the difference in the series if Columbus' SAT (minus-109, 20th) is not better in this series.

Save percentage

One area where Columbus appears to hold an advantage goaltending; the Blue Jackets ranked fifth in the NHL in save percentage at 5-on-5 (92.8 percent) behind the Boston Bruins (93.3 percent), Dallas Stars (93.2 percent), Colorado Avalanche (93.2 percent) and Arizona Coyotes (92.9 percent). They have the luxury of having two goalies (Joonas Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins) who could each step up and assume the No. 1 role if called upon. Merzlikins was tied for fifth in save percentage (.923; minimum 20 games) with Pavel Francouz of the Avalanche, was fifth in goals-against average (2.35), and had five shutouts as a rookie, tied for second behind Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets (six). If Merzlikins can replicate his play from the regular season, Columbus could narrow the gap and perhaps even pull off an upset, similar to last season when it swept the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Eastern Conference First Round.

It's also worth noting that even if the Blue Jackets decide to start the more experienced Korpisalo, his .911 save percentage in the regular season was better than Maple Leafs goalie Frederik Andersen's (.909), further adding to the argument that Columbus could fend off Toronto's potent offense.

Listen: Video: TBL@TOR: Marner sets up Matthews' power-play blast