5 Things the Toronto Maple Leafs Must Improve Upon to Beat Chicago Blackhawks

The Toronto Maple Leafs face a difficult task against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night. It's a tough test against Chicago, and it will be the second game in a back-to-back after a game Friday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Blackhawks are one of the premier teams in the NHL. The Leafs, well, not so much.

While the Blackhawks can bring something less than their "A" game to the rink and pull out a victory, the Leafs cannot. Let's take a look at five things the Leafs must improve upon to beat Chicago this weekend.

All stats can be found on NHL.com unless noted otherwise. All stats are prior to play on Friday, Oct. 31. 

Contain the Blackhawks' Superstars

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The Leafs have not done a good job of containing opponents' top players this season. The Detroit Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg is the best example of this, as he dominated the Leafs earlier this year.

It will take total team defense to contain the Blackhawks' top players. Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane are off to good starts in 2014-15. 

All of these players are elite offensive talents. It will take great efforts from the Leafs' top defensive forwards, as well as by the Leafs' blueliners, to ensure this trio doesn't embarrass the club.

Toews and Kane, in particular, can put up a mittful of points in mere minutes if not defended well.

Leafs Must Generate Shots

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Without question, the Leafs have improved in generating shots on goal this season. Going into Friday night's action, the club is 17th in the NHL with 280 shots.

This is a good total and works out to just more than 30 per game. They'll need even more against the Blackhawks, who have been generating almost 40 per game.

The Leafs don't have equivalent offensive talent, so they must outshoot and out-chance the Windy City boys.

If the Leafs don't generate a number of quality shots, it will be a long night for the Hogtowners.

Even Better at 5-on-5

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With 17 goals for and 18 against during five-on-five play, the Leafs have been average at even strength. Chicago is plus-three in the same category.

The Hawks have been a disciplined team for several seasons now, so the Leafs aren't likely to get a lot of power-play opportunities. 

To win Saturday night's game, the team will have to improve its five-on-five play. If it gets outscored here, expect another loss on Saturday.

Better Goaltending

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The Leafs have had adequate goaltending so far, but Toronto needs better on Saturday night. With James Reimer holding a .914 save percentage and Jonathan Bernier at .910, the club will need more.

The Leafs will be challenged to score more than three goals against the Blackhawks. Based on the fact that the club gives up 30-plus shots, the netminders must put up better numbers than before.

A save percentage approaching league-leader Jonathan Quick's .950 would really get it done. The Leafs need better than average play to defeat the talented Hawks.

Secondary Scoring

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The Leafs' top line has been producing at a decent clip with a combined 26 points in the first 10 games. The rest of the squad, particularly Nazem Kadri, needs to contribute against Chicago.

Joffrey Lupul has just two points in 2014-15. Daniel Winnik has three points, and it would make a huge difference if he could increase his offensive production as well.

Kevin McGran of the Toronto Star has reported that Lupul is out indefinitely with a broken finger, so he won't be contributing anytime soon.

The Blackhawks are a solid defensive team. If the Leafs are going to beat them on Saturday night, it will take scoring from more than one line.

If someone other than the top offensive players doesn't contribute when needed, it could be a long night for the Maple Leafs.