In the trenches of the day-to-day it is easy to forget that it is still early. Around the league teams are getting tested, their truths revealed by an unrelenting regular season schedule. For the Leafs, the biggest test of the young season is upon us, the injury absence of Auston Matthews.
Though there is a lot of continuity on the Leafs, the truth remains that an identity is earned through consistency, a dynamic process which is continually re-tested. With that said, there was already change afoot. Leafs GM Brad Treliving added two top-four defencemen, augmenting the group beyond the status quo. With Craig Berube brought in as coach, the style and depth chart of the roster were a power vacuum unto themselves.
Missing in action
The team’s overall record was flawed in the early going, as were some more specific areas, such as the struggling power play. Still, there were early positive signs to match, notably a strong control of play, a more balanced roster, and seemingly a bit more of a mature intent. Then, 14 games into the season, Matthews was unavailable, delivering with it a challenge. Naturally, Matthews is one of the best players in the world, and undoubtedly makes the Leafs a better team. Whatever ails him, the hope for all is a prompt return to full health.
Still, every challenge is an opportunity, and the games march along regardless. There is a collective opportunity to stack wins, but also to prove to each other that they can thrive without their captain. A team is more than the sum of its parts, or at least, championship teams are. An NHL team especially, is often measured by its weakest links as much as its strongest. In a sense, to win a Stanley Cup the Leafs have to be a good enough team to win a playoff round without Matthews.
Over the years the Leafs have been able to perform without Matthews in the lineup. Their defensive performances in these instances are especially illuminating. The team can be scared into a higher level of defensive play, or at least have been able to in short stretches. Though this is true of the past, taking on this challenge early in Berube’s tenure offers the team and coach a chance to earn each other’s trust.
In their path, at the time of Matthews’ injury, was a four-game home stand against divisional opponents. The Leafs have the roster to keep pace with their rivals, even without Matthews. Coming together to play a clean, smart, intense, and as Berube so often states, direct game is another question. While it is true that the Leafs have not played the three best teams in the league over this stretch without their captain, it is also true that their details have been sharp.
Picking up the pieces
Coinciding with Matthews absence, the Leafs power play has come back to life. This is certainly helpful for winning games, but the more impressive and important development has been the defensive play of the team. Allowing a combined two goals in the three games Matthews has missed, the Leafs have been limiting shots and chances against. Now, the Leafs are top 10 league-wide in several key defensive metrics, including penalty killing efficiency (ninth) and goals allowed (fourth).
There are other factors that have helped the Leafs over this stretch, including a return to form for John Tavares. After missing time with an illness, Tavares lost a lot of weight, and was understandably in a diminished form. While not the player he once was, Tavares is still a key contributor and the Leafs second-best centre. With a greatly improved blueline and stability in net, the Leafs are better than they have ever been in the Matthews era. They will need to make a disciplined and direct approach the baseline if they are to have any success. Finding some early success under Berube, especially during hard times, is a meaningful development.
