Maple Leafs’ Toughest Playoff Opponents Include Themselves

While getting a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs for close to a decade is a favourable matchup as they do lack the experience. The Senators have proved that they are not going to be an easy out with additions they made throughout the lineup. The Senators won the regular season series with three wins and the Maple Leafs struggled to produce anything as they had three goals for and nine against. Not a good sign given the offensive firepower this team has and the Senators tenacious forecheck and strong rush game was a lot to handle.  

The x-factor would be Linus Ullmark. The Senators lacked a legitimate starter and now they have one. In the postseason with the Boston Bruins last season, he played in one game against the Maple Leafs and lost. While that’s not a lot to go off of, he does have two wins and a .960 save percentage against them this season and has been tough to beat. The offense has gone cold during the postseason previously and the Senators could make it colder with him in net. While the Battle of Ontario would be fun to see again, the Senators aren’t going to be an easy opponent and could pose a challenge for the Maple Leafs. 

Rematch with Lightning?

The Maple Leafs exorcised their demons winning their first playoff series since 2003-04 against the Lightning in 2022-23. Naturally, you would think the Lightning would like to get some revenge. 

Much like the Senators having the Maple Leafs’ number this season, the Maple Leafs have outmatched and outplayed the Lightning this season, winning three games with 15 goals for. They have one more pivotal game against them, but they have to like what they have accomplished against them so far. Matthew Knies continues to have success against the Lighting ever since he became a fixture in the lineup against them in the postseason as he has six points in three games this season. 

While they have bested them so far this season and may have solved Andrei Vasilevskiy dating back to their playoff win, the Lightning have been dangerous as of late. They have been one of the top teams in the second half with the help of Nikita Kucherov leading the way with 57 points in 38 games. Since Jan.1^st, the Lightning have the third-best record at 24-13-3 and have scored 84 goals at five-on-five. While the Lightning are always dangerous, the Maple Leafs could still view them as an ideal matchup based on their recent play. 

Dethrone the Champs

Whether it’s the first-round or after that, the Maple Leafs will have to go toe-to-toe with the defending Stanley Cup Champs. It’s bad enough that the Maple Leafs could face them, it’s even worse knowing that they’ll have to go against Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett and now their nemesis Brad Marchand after being acquired at the deadline. It also doesn’t help that the Maple Leafs have lost the special teams battle against them. 

In a 5-1 loss on Nov. 27^th, the Panthers scored two power play goals and one short-handed. On Mar. 13^th, they had two power play goals courtesy of Sam Bennett. The 5-on-5 play has been even with a slight edge to the Panthers, but if the Maple Leafs want to have any success of dethroning the Champions, they’re going to have to be mistake-free at even strength, intense, need to convert on their power plays and shut it down defensively on the penalty kill. If they do, it’ll be a huge momentum boost for this team as they play a playoff style of hockey capable of winning games. 

Maple Leafs Are Their Biggest Opponent

There are a lot of reasons to suggest why these teams may or may not be good matchups. Realistically, the biggest opponent for the Maple Leafs are themselves. Given their history and lack of success in the postseason, their opponent is irrelevant as this core truly needs to look in the mirror and figure things out. 

This team needs to find the mental toughness and mindset needed to win in order to push themselves forward. They’ve gone up against teams that possess that mindset. They’ve had a front-row view on what makes a team a winner, yet they haven’t found it. It’s the smart plays, physicality and two-way play that makes teams winners, not the cute and patient plays waiting for the right opportunity. This team has to make and create the opportunities in order to win, not wait for the game to come to them. They have to want it.

There’s always something that arises with this team in the playoffs. Offense goes cold, power play is ineffective, not getting the saves you need or just bad luck overall. This team’s mentally and mindset has gone through a lot but if they can pull it together, it will be a huge momentum boost. A new voice behind the bench with Craig Berube is definitely playing a big part as they’re playing a style suited to compete and be successful in the playoffs. He has the experience and knows how to get the most out of his players. 

This stretch against the potential opponents could very well decide their future matchup. Ultimately, it will fall on the team itself as they look to move on from the past and re-write a new future that involves playoff success. 

Statistics from Hockey Reference, Natural Stat Trick and NHL.