Maple Leafs' new style has triggered a serious crisis in Toronto

The Toronto Maple Leafs are not going through their best moment. The franchise is in the middle of a defensive crisis. They score, but they concede too many goals.

The team changed its defensive philosophy ahead of the season. This change has not sat well, especially considering the current squad, and is the main reason for the defensive crisis.

This is reflected in the increase of goals against and high-danger chances against at five-on-five, with more clean rush chances and second opportunities around the crease. Craig Berube's team has also suffered more net-front control losses, with fewer effective box-outs, more traffic and screens in front of the goaltender.

How the Maple Leafs' new aggressive style created a defensive crisis

Toronto right now is a team that suffers extended sequences in the defensive zone due to bad puck-management decisions, like weak clears, blind passes and turnovers in the slot. The mix of ideas between Berube and his assistants is confusing. They emphasize generating more offense from the defense, but without the defensive system of the previous year.

Last season, the defensive structure was more conservative. Now there are more attempts of forced plays through the center and quick exits without consistent middle support, causing a greater use of pinches on the boards without synchronized weak-side coverage.

The goaltending is a factor, but it is not the main reason. It has a lot to do with the defensive structure and execution. The problem lies in a tactical choice that does not fit with the current roster and its attributes.

The Maple Leafs do not need to renounce their offensive identity, but they must recalibrate risk-taking from the defense. The ideal is to start instilling habits from now, as well as recovering principles of structure and adapting the activation triggers to the personnel.