Toronto Maple Leafs' 5 Most Impressive Stats Early in 2013-14

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a relatively good start to the 2013-14 regular season. They are just three points out of first place in the Eastern Conference; however, they are also only five points up on the ninth spot in the tight Eastern Conference. 

Parity reigns in the East, and the Leafs will not be able to afford even a short losing streak if they hope to make the playoffs comfortably next spring.

The Leafs have been defying the logic that argues that NHL teams cannot be successful in the long run with such a poor shot differential. The Leafs did this last season and have continued to do the same in 2013-14.

Let's take a look at the five most impressive stats for the Leafs in 2013-14, which go a long way in explaining why the club is near the top of the Eastern Conference as the league nears the quarter pole in the schedule.

All stats can be found on sportingcharts.com unless otherwise noted.

Team Save Percentage

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Toronto's team save percentage has been an excellent .937 in 2013-14. It is one of the most impressive stats this season, as both James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier have been superb in goal.

The Leafs have not played great team defense, as observers of Leafs games will know well. Many of the shots this tandem have faced have been in tight due to the erratic defensive-zone coverage.

The percentage is even more impressive given the fact that the Leafs have surrendered 614 shots. This is second only to the Buffalo Sabres.

Team Shooting Percentage

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The Leafs' team shooting percentage is at 10.48 percent this season. This is almost two full percentage points over the league average of 8.77.

It has been the difference on many nights, particularly when coupled with the excellent team save percentage. The Leafs do not need the same volume of shots as other teams and haven't needed this for a few seasons.

The Leafs are in third place in this category this season, while in 2012-13, they were first at 11.47 percent. One would think they'll regress in this category, but given the high-end skill at forward, this may not happen. This statistic is certainly one of the most impressive this year.

Power-Play Percentage

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The Leafs power play has been lethal for the better part of the early 2013-14 season. At 22.2 percent, they have the fourth-ranked unit in the entire league.

The employ a few different strategies, making it difficult to defend them in any one way. They've made aggressive penalty-killing units look silly. Conversely, they have exploited more passive penalty-killing units with their ability to mobilize their defensemen on a regular basis.

With some of the challenges they have had five-on-five, it is critical that the Leafs power play continues to click at this high rate.

Team Penalty Kills Per Game

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What is impressive about this stat isn't that the Leafs have posted a good number here—it's the fact that they've been so successful despite it being what it is.

The Leafs have given up 4.06 penalty kills per game. That ties them for the second-worst total in the NHL with Philadelphia. Only the Ottawa Senators are worse than the Leafs and Flyers.

This also goes a long way to explain some of the issues the Leafs have had in giving up so many shots. They spend a lot of time defending five-on-five, but they also are forced to do so five-on-four as well.

If the Leafs can continue to play a physical brand of hockey—but not take as many penalties—it will certainly help their puck possession game.

Team Shorthanded Goal Percentage

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The Leafs have been very good on the penalty kill. They've been able to turn it into an offensive situation on many nights with their speed and aggression.

The Leafs lead the league in team shorthanded percentage at 8.0. Four of their 50 goals on the season have come shorthanded, and that total of four also leads the league. 

Given the Leafs personnel, there is reason to believe they can sustain this league-leading spot. It could be the difference between them making or missing the playoffs. Given that good teams like the St. Louis Blues, Phoenix Coyotes and Pittsburgh Penguins haven't scored one shorthanded goal yet, the Leafs' total is impressive.