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Are the Toronto Maple Leafs Suddenly Good Again?

Originally posted on Inside The Rink
By Jeremy Ridgewell | Last updated Jan 12, 2026 1:29 PM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs are within reach of a Wild Card playoff spot. Who could have predicted that the removal of one assistant coach could completely transform this Maple Leafs team into a juggernaut?

On December 23rd, the team was dead last in the Eastern Conference, having lost five of their previous six games. Their power play was the worst in the NHL. Calls for head coach Craig Berube’s firing were being heard throughout the city. Some even suggested the ludicrous idea of trading Auston Matthews. However, on that day, assistant coach Marc Savard (the person in charge of Toronto’s power-play) was relieved of his duties.

A funny thing happened after that. Toronto has gone on a 7-0-2 run since then. A run that has seen them climb back to within a single point of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Some of the stats that have accompanied this streak are pretty remarkable for a team that was becoming a laughing stock back on December 23rd. The Leafs must have aired their grievances, because the turnaround has been stunning.

Unfortunately for the Leafs, the majority of the Atlantic Division has also been playing well lately. Here is a look at the last ten games for the Leafs and some of their divisional rivals.

Detroit Red Wings: 7-2-1
Tampa Bay Lightning: 9-1-0
Montreal Canadiens: 6-2-2
Buffalo Sabres: 9-1-0
Toronto Maple Leafs: 7-1-2

This is why Toronto has gained very little ground in the standings. Most of the teams ahead of them are also playing well.

Maple Leafs’ Remarkable Turnaround to be Tested

Auston Matthews has returned to being Auston Matthews – the superstar. Toronto’s special teams have been elite, the bottom six have contributed consistently, and the goaltending has continued to be excellent. But is the party about to end in Leafs Nation? The team is about to enter a make-or-break part of their season.

We’re about to find out just how real all of this is. While they’ve been taking care of business against the likes of the Vancouver Canucks, Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators, and New Jersey Devils, the schedule is about to get real and much more difficult.

Toronto’s next nine games will be as follows, beginning with a grueling four-game road trip:

at Colorado Avalanche
at Utah Mammoth
at Vegas Golden Knights
at Winnipeg Jets
Minnesota Wild
Detroit Red Wings
Vegas Golden Knights
Colorado Avalanche
Buffalo Sabres

Aside from that one game at Winnipeg, this will be a daunting two-week stretch for the Leafs. The timing couldn’t be better, however. With this punishing grind winding up several days before the Olympic Roster Freeze on February 4th, the front office should have a pretty clear idea at that point of exactly what kind of team they’ve got on their hands.

Can this group continue to be one of the better teams in the league, as they have been over the last 20 days? Or will the magic fade? If it’s the latter, then Leafs’ general manager Brad Treliving better get his ‘For Sale’ sign ready. However, let’s hope the recent turnaround is not a fluke and the Leafs can keep climbing the standings.

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This article first appeared on Inside The Rink and was syndicated with permission.

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