Nikita Zaitsev
#22 / Defense / Toronto Maple Leafs
Height: 6-2 | Weight: 195 | Born: October 29, 1991
Birthplace: Moscow, Russia | Drafted: Undrafted
Career 20-Game Rolling Five-on-Five CF% (via Corsica):
2016-17 Usage Chart (via Corsica):
Why you should know who he is: Zaitsev, undrafted in the NHL, was signed to a Entry Level contract by Toronto last summer after posting 26 points for CSKA Moscow in the KHL (46 GP). This year in Toronto Zaitsev was able to replicate that offensive success, posting an impressive 36 points in his rookie season. His offensive success, however, is tempered by his -22 rating, which was the lowest mark on the Maple Leafs’ team this season.
How the Caps can stop him: Washington will need to put the puck into Zaitsev’s corner and crash his half of the ice in the offensive zone. The rookie has never played in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and it would be in Washington’s best interest to introduce Zaitsev to postseason play with a solid thumping at home during the series’ first two games (that is, if he plays at all).
Most of the Capitals’ forwards match up against Zaitsev nicely and they should look to make the Russian rearguard’s defensive responsibilities difficult. Zaitsev’s North American professional hockey experience is limited to the 82 games he skated for Mike Babcock this season, and Washington should look to exploit that inexperience across all three zones of play.