Maple Leafs' League-Worst Rush Defense Exposes a Growing Problem

The Leafs have been struggling early in the season, with a regression at both ends, but it has been their defense that has caused trouble for Toronto.

It was pointed out on X that the Toronto Maple Leafs have a core problem within their blueline, with the team allowing a league leading 14 goals off the rush.

Four goals in Toronto's 6-3 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday came off the rush, exposing a major problem of teams able to exploit a weakness on Toronto's end defending against rush chances.

The Toronto Maple Leafs need to improve in not being exposed in transition, and need to be able to avoid opponents creating multi-player entries.

The Leafs have been struggling to not only close down rush chances, but are also allowing for teams to get multiple players going through the blueline.

Currently, the Leafs are 27th in goals allowed with 42. Anthony Stolarz has struggled to handle the intensity without Joseph Woll helping in support, and the defense hasn't done many favors.

Toronto hasn't seen their defense performing at their best, and with a blueline that includes key defensive defensemen such as Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo, it's a problem of the Leafs defense being caved in.

Toronto's offense too was shaped over the offseason to be more physical and defensively responsible, but has not be able to avoid the puck crossing the blue line, and aren't able to close down mismatches such as the 5-on-1 vs Columbus.

The team tends to look like the are lacking some communication between each other, and whenever they are caught off guard, it seems like there is a lack of urgency from all parties to prevent a scoring chance.

Having spent their offseason wanting to be tougher and meaner, the Leafs are still working on how to do so, and could be a major detriment to their success.

But if they manage to curb their issues and get back to a steadier and more focused pace, it could be the key to turning around the entire season.