Opponents on Alert as Toronto Maple Leafs' Biggest Playoff Strength Comes to Light
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
It seems that for the first time in years, the Maple Leafs are to be feared heading into the playoffs thanks to their drastic identity change this past offseason.
The 2024-25 iteration of the Toronto Maple Leafs have a serious chance of being a Stanley Cup contender, which is something if you had said in September was maybe a bit of an overstatement.
We had no idea if Craig Berube was going to be a good coach, or if his team was going to buy into his newly implemented defensive system, and there could have been some serious growing pains from the first year head coach.
But, if a new article from The Athletic is to be believed, this could be Toronto's year, and the NHL should be put on notice.
Toronto Well Equipped For A Strong Playoff Push: The Athletic
Contributors Shayna Goldman and Harman Dayal gave an outlook for each Eastern Conference playoff team and their positives and negatives as they head into their respective series, but what they say about Toronto is certainly intriguing:
The Leafs are going to be a tough team to score against in the playoffs.
Toronto has shifted its playing style under Craig Berube, opting for more dump-and-chase play, a tight defensive structure and a heavier, more hard-nosed identity that should theoretically translate better to playoff hockey.
Toronto boasts three high-end shutdown defensemen in Chris Tanev, Jake McCabe and Brandon Carlo, and has received excellent goaltending from Anthony Stolarz, whose .922 save percentage ranks second-best in the NHL.
The Leafs have surrendered just 2.1 goals against per 60 at five-on-five this season, which ranks fifth-best in the NHL.
Combine that stout defensive structure and above-average goaltending with offensive stars up front and the best power play in the NHL since Feb. 1, and you have a compelling recipe for potential playoff success.
Mitch Marner's clutch play for Team Canada in the pressure-cooker environment of the 4 Nations Face-Off also provides hope that he can finally break through on the big stage.
Toronto has shifted its playing style under Craig Berube, opting for more dump-and-chase play, a tight defensive structure and a heavier, more hard-nosed identity that should theoretically translate better to playoff hockey.
Toronto boasts three high-end shutdown defensemen in Chris Tanev, Jake McCabe and Brandon Carlo, and has received excellent goaltending from Anthony Stolarz, whose .922 save percentage ranks second-best in the NHL.
The Leafs have surrendered just 2.1 goals against per 60 at five-on-five this season, which ranks fifth-best in the NHL.
Combine that stout defensive structure and above-average goaltending with offensive stars up front and the best power play in the NHL since Feb. 1, and you have a compelling recipe for potential playoff success.
Mitch Marner's clutch play for Team Canada in the pressure-cooker environment of the 4 Nations Face-Off also provides hope that he can finally break through on the big stage.
The two heavily credit the team's turnaround to Craig Berube's new style of play, and for good reason. The Maple Leafs look hungry, motivated, relentless and angry. They finally have defense, and their goaltending; the biggest sore spot in recent years, has been stellar.
Is it perfect? Heck no. We still have lots of concerns about whether or not the big stars are going to make an impact when it matters or if it'll end up being a case of the playoff jitters once again.
The team needs Auston Matthews to regain his form from last season, and they can't just rely on their top stars for offense (something that's slowly been improving).
Plus, as good as Anthony Stolarz is, he has yet to start a playoff game in his career. Is the pressure going to be too much for him, or will he embrace it and use it to motivate his play?
Only time will tell, but for the first time in a long time, the Toronto Maple Leafs seem to have a team that's worthy of being called a Stanley Cup contender.
Now all they have to do is go win it.
| POLL | ||
AVRIL 10 | 415 ANSWERS Opponents on Alert as Toronto Maple Leafs' Biggest Playoff Strength Comes to Light Do you think Craig Berube's style of play has Toronto set up for a deep playoff run? | ||
| Yes | 371 | 89.4 % |
| No | 44 | 10.6 % |
| List of polls | ||