What changed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and why the climb back up feels real
Photo credit: Thomas Salus-Imagn Images
There's been a serious turnaround for the Toronto Maple Leafs and it might be time to think they are genuine contenders thanks to their captain leading the way.
Over the last nine games, the Maple Leafs have won seven of them and have done so in some pretty convincing fashions. Coming off a 5-0 thrashing of the Canucks, it was a complete effort from all facets of the team and the team looks as good as ever.
They then followed that up with a crucial 4-3 OT win over the league-leading Avalanche, proving they can hang with the best of the best on any given night.
The power-play has completely flipped itself on its head, the penalty killing has been near perfect, they are getting injured players back, the goaltending is very good, the defense is tightening up and even role players are breaking out.
But there's one key difference now that we've not seen in basically a season and a half: Auston Matthews.
Captain Matthews says 'All hands on deck!'
The Maple Leafs captain has been a man possessed over those nine games with 14 points (8 goals, 6 assists) while also breaking the all-time record for goals scored as a Leaf, surpassing Mats Sundin.
It's not just the offense though. Matthews looks more engaged, active and present.
It's something TSN's Darren Dreger touched on during the network's FirstUP program and mentioned is a key factor in the team's hot run as of late:
The turnaround of the Leafs comes down to a few things, but it starts mainly with the captain, Auston Matthews. He's delivered offensively, but the bigger change is his engagement in every aspect of the game.
He's been far more involved in the second half, and that level of leadership has clearly become contagious throughout the lineup.
He's been far more involved in the second half, and that level of leadership has clearly become contagious throughout the lineup.
But it didn't just stop there, as it turns out that once Matthews bought into Berube's system the entire team has seemingly followed suit and it's led to them being edgier, grittier, and most importantly; united:
That buy-in flows directly into what Craig Berube has preached since day one.
The contrast between how they played then and how they play now is remarkable. This is the exact style Berube envisioned when he took over.
Most importantly, it shows in the way they play. The Leafs are skating with purpose, competing harder, and embracing a more physical brand of hockey.
There's a clear willingness to engage, stick up for teammates, and establish an identity this group has fully bought into.
The contrast between how they played then and how they play now is remarkable. This is the exact style Berube envisioned when he took over.
Most importantly, it shows in the way they play. The Leafs are skating with purpose, competing harder, and embracing a more physical brand of hockey.
There's a clear willingness to engage, stick up for teammates, and establish an identity this group has fully bought into.
It's been such a relief to not only see Matthews back in old form but the rest of the team is seemingly picking up the slack when others aren't.
Toronto's complete team effort feeling incredible mid-season turnaround
If Matthews doesn't score, then it'll be Nick Robertson or Bobby McMann; if William Nylander is shaky on defense then you'll see Matthew Knies, Scott Laughton, and Nicolas Roy all pick things up and ensure life is hell for opponents.
Even the nastiness feels foreign. Toronto had some fights last year but they never seemed to spark the team.
Meanwhile this year you have Max Domi laughing while firing shots at Marcus Pettersson, and Easton Cowan is dropping the gloves at 20 years old; and Matthew Knies basically one-punched Nico Hischier to keep the team's energy up.
The aura is different. This is a team that plays like someone dumped garbage on their T-bone steak; angry, grumpy, and one that won't take that type of disrespect from anyone regardless of size, team, or name value.
All of this by the way is without arguably the backbone of their blueline in Chris Tanev, who may be out for the season and they are without Anthony Stolarz for at least another month-plus.
It's hard to imagine this is the team fans are seeing considering that a month ago there were talks about firing Craig Berube, trading Auston Matthews, and blowing this entire thing up.
But this isn't some type of dream, but the very genuine reality of the situation. The Maple Leafs are back. For how long? Who knows, but it's time we savor it while it lasts.
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
The type of defenseman Craig Berube values is reportedly available and with term
The type of defenseman Craig Berube values is reportedly available and with term
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 13|738 ANSWERS What changed with the Toronto Maple Leafs and why the climb back up feels real Do you think the Maple Leafs are back in business? | ||
| Yes | 594 | 80.5 % |
| No | 144 | 19.5 % |
| List of polls | ||