Toronto Maple Leafs: Can this be their year?

Every year since the beginning of the Auston Matthews era, Toronto Maple Leafs fans everywhere have hoped the team can do something special in the postseason. Year after year, we see this team do great in the regular season and fall apart once the playoffs come around.

Every year, it is the same issues and the same people. Whether it is the stars failing to score, a bad defensive giveaway or lackluster goaltending, this team always seems to fall apart at the perfect moment. While this regular season may be going well, understandably, Leafs fans have every right to be skeptical and hold their breath.

This year might be different. We have heard this statement before, but let’s take a look at what makes this team different, and why they might be poised to go on a run. 

The offence and the core

The identity of the team for a better part of a decade has been about the offence and most importantly the core four. This team lives and dies on the performance of their stars and how well they can show up, especially in the big moments. William Nylander has just passed his career high with 40 goals, and is well on his way to having another 90-plus point season. Nylander is considered by many as the best playoff performer of this core, and a confident Willy should scare any first-round Leafs opponent.

Mitch Marner has looked confident this year, once again showing off his playmaking ability and two-way game. While previously coming close with 99 points, he is hoping to cross the 100-point mark this year. While the critiques of him not showing up in the big moments are valid, Marner has already gotten some big game experience. The 4 Nations Face-Off was a unique moment for Marner to not only put on a Team Canada uniform, but also play in a tournament-style format where every game mattered. Marner showed up in the big moments, scoring an overtime winner against Sweden and assisting McDavid on the game-winning goal in the gold medal game. If the Leafs want any chance of going deep in the playoffs, they will need to see these big game performances out of Marner. 

What has been a pleasant surprise for this team is the resurgence of John Tavares. A player who at some points was seen to be on the back half of his career is still putting together great performances night in and night out. Tavares leads the league in goals since 4 Nations with 12 goals and has found his stride at the right time. The former captain is one of the more experienced voices in the lineup, and his leadership will be an integral part of this team if they hope to see any success. 

Matthews has missed a good part of the season due to injury and hasn’t looked the same. Despite this, he is starting to heat up at the right time, all while contributing on both ends of the ice with his defensive play. 

The Leafs have also seen players step up outside the core. Matthew Knies has become an important part of this team at such a young age, becoming a legitimate threat in front of the net and becoming one of only three players to record 25 or more goals and 150 hits. Bobby McMann has provided a much-needed scoring touch from the bottom of the lineup, and Steven Lorentz has become a solid presence on the fourth line. With the addition of Scott Laughton at the trade deadline, this is a formidable offensive lineup that should be able to go toe-to-toe with anyone in the league. 

The defensive lineup

While there have always been doubts about the Leafs offence, the defence in the last couple of years has become more stable and a formidable group of guys. While Morgan Rielly hasn’t looked the best this year, he has been a player who can consistently become one of their best performers in the postseason. Jake McCabe has become a fan favourite in this city and for good reason. McCabe has shown up and been their best defenceman against some of the top opponents, such as recently the Colorado Avalanche. His linemate Chris Tanev has also quickly won the hearts and minds of Leafs fans with his tough, gritty style of play. Tanev goes out on the ice every night and puts his body on the line for this team as he does what he can to block any shot he can. The pair of Tanev and McCabe has become one of the most integral parts of this team. 

Signing Oliver Ekman-Larsson could have been seen as a risky decision, but has paid off so far. The former Cup champion has shown that he can still play with grit and snarl. The player who is now on the back half of his career has shown that he still has a lot left to give. 

With the acquisition of Brandon Carlo, this is a tough defensive core for any team to go up against. 

The goaltending duo

The Leafs would consider themselves lucky to have just one star goalie but this year both Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz have been consistent in their performances, both having a save percentage well above .900. Both of these guys have shown up against top opponents and have given the Leafs a tough decision to make heading into the playoffs as to who gets the start for Game 1. With both goalies being a calming presence in net, the goaltending for this team has basically become a non-issue. 

A new coaching direction

Following the end of last season, the Maple Leafs hired Craig Berube as their new head coach, replacing Sheldon Keefe. Berube, best known for leading the St. Louis Blues to a Stanley Cup in 2019, brought a wealth of experience and a new tactical approach to Toronto. His focus on playing a more holistic game might not bring the flashiest style of play for this team, but can hopefully help them succeed in the big moments when the game gets tighter and the stakes are higher. 

This Toronto Maple Leafs team made some key offseason signings and some key trade deadline acquisitions. With their stars stepping up at the right time and timely performances from some unlikely heroes, all with a goaltending duo that is the best we have seen in a long time, the Leafs have a shot.