Maple Leafs Are Peaking at the Perfect Time

With the division title secured and momentum on their side, there’s even a small mission left: help Matthew Knies get to 30 goals. Maybe John Tavares even gets two more to hit 40. And the way this group has been rolling, it wouldn’t be surprising to see both happen.

Correction, Please: Toronto Did Win a Division Recently

Broadcasts kept saying the Maple Leafs hadn’t won a division in 25 years. That’s not “quite” true—they won the North Division in 2021. Sure, it was a temporary, pandemic-era alignment, but it counted. What is true is that this season’s Atlantic Division title feels different. This time, they earned it in a more traditional, grueling 82-game stretch. This time, they’re battle-tested.

In Stolarz, a Goalie You Can Believe In

What is the most essential piece in any playoff run? The goalie. And Anthony Stolarz is playing like that guy. Three shutouts in his last four games. Calm, poised, and giving the Maple Leafs the confidence they’ve too often lacked in net when it matters most.

The playoffs demand a goalie who can steal a game—or a series. Right now, Stolarz looks like someone capable of doing just that.

Maple Leafs Bottom Six Grit—But Still Some Tweaks Coming

The bottom-six hasn’t fully crystallized, but the pieces are starting to click. In the win over the Buffalo Sabres, Scott Laughton and Pontus Holmberg were monsters—aggressive on the forecheck and hard to play against.

There are still lineup decisions to come. Nicholas Robertson scored and showed flashes, but if Max Pacioretty is healthy, his playoff-ready physicality likely gives him the edge. Fans should expect Ryan Reaves to return as well. The Senators might be the kind of team where he’s needed. Robertson has upped his grit, but in a physical series against Ottawa, it’s fair to question whether he can hold up. Momentum helps, but matchups matter.

Maple Leafs’ Defensive Depth Tested—and Still Holding

Defence remains the biggest wild card. Others have had to step up, with Jake McCabe still on the shelf and Oliver Ekman-Larsson banged up. Myers has been steady, and Dakota Mermis has looked sharp in limited action. But it’s clear: this team is a different animal when McCabe and OEL are in. These two add more to the mix.

Still, past Stanley Cup runs (like the 2017 Penguins, who leaned on Ron Hainsey and won with a patchwork blue line) remind us that winning without perfection is possible—if the system and belief are strong enough.

Rielly Looks Rejuvenated—and a Bit Grittier

In recent weeks, Morgan Rielly has looked more like his old self, not just in puck movement but in defensive commitment. He’s blocking shots at a pace he hasn’t hit since earlier in his career, not just racking up totals (130 this season vs. 137 last season), but doing it at key moments. That kind of all-in mentality is contagious.

A Familiar Feel—and the Right Kind of Momentum

That team surged on momentum when Craig Berube coached the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup. The Maple Leafs’ current run isn’t quite the same—this isn’t a team clawing its way from last place—but the principle still applies. They’ve found rhythm, roles are solidifying, and belief is building.

Most Cup Finals boil down to two things: the best team and the hottest team. The Maple Leafs are starting to look like they could be both.

The Bottom Line for the Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs don’t need a miracle—they must stay the course. With stars hitting milestones, a goalie catching fire, and a coach who’s been here before, they’ve got something more powerful than hype. They have momentum. And if the past has taught us anything, momentum can carry a team a long way.

[Note: I want to thank long-time Maple Leafs fan Stan Smith for collaborating with me on this post. Stan’s Facebook profile can be found here.]