Fixing the Toronto Maple Leafs: What they need to do to improve

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had it rough these past couple of weeks. Currently sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference with 23 points, the Leafs hold a 10–10–3 record. With such high expectations this year, the team took a complete 180, hitting rock bottom and haven’t looked this bad since December of 2016, when they were in last place.

Injuries play a massive part in a team’s success, or struggle in the Leafs’ case, with players sitting out like Auston Matthews, Matthew Knies, and Chris Tanev. But that is no excuse for the rest of the roster to perform as they have this season. The Leafs have only two wins in their last nine games, and in Saturday’s matchup against an Original Six rival, the Montreal Canadiens, they played like they were lifeless. Montreal, while reeling from a losing streak, bounced back strongly against a struggling Toronto team.

The Habs scored two quick goals in the first period, leading 2–0, and it was in the second period that fans realized there was something amiss with the team’s performance and lack of effort. The Habs bullied the Leafs, easily one of Toronto’s worst games played this year. Something needs to change.

The Maple Leafs hit the road this week, winning last night in Columbus (barely), and now play the Washington Capitals, Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes. The Leafs are looking to bounce back from these awful past nine games. The question is, can they? If so, what do they need to do?

Depth contributions

The Leafs’ depth heading into this season was praised highly by many analysts across the league. So far this season, they have not lived up to the hype. Players from last year’s team, such as Max Domi, Steven Lorentz, and Calle Jarnrok, have not produced and, quite frankly, are hurting this team. They have to step it up, especially Domi, who is taking a lot of heat playing at centre. It doesn’t even need to be points; it can be throwing the body, blocking shots, stepping up for teammates; they need to bring more to help this team get out of this slump.

The newest additions in Dakota Joshua and Matias Maccelli have looked like a waste of money. Joshua, brought in for his grit and physical presence, has shown none of what fans and the organization were expecting from a forward with his size and background. Maccelli, brought in for his playmaking and passing abilities, has nine points in 21 games. These guys need to silence the critics, as many people question why they were even brought in the first place. If Joshua can throw the body, step up and fight while some Maccelli magic flies through the stat line, it will heavily improve the team’s overall performance. 

Shoring up the defence

The Leafs currently sit 29th in the league in goals against average of 3.61, and it’s not because of goalies. Anthony Stolarz played 13 out of 17 games before getting injured, too many games played. Joseph Woll and Denis Hildeby have been solid since returning to the team with save percentages of .905 and .906, respectively. The defence has looked completely different from last season, as this year the team has given up 83 goals, which ranks fifth in the league for most goals against. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson has put the defensive group on his back, putting up 16 points in 23 games, while guys like Morgan Rielly, Simon Benoit, and Brandon Carlo have fans questioning their roles and ability to play well. The lack of Chris Tanev has also played a role, but that does not excuse the play of others to be this poor. The team needs Rielly, Benoit, and Carlo to step up their defensive game by tracking pucks better, playing better physically, and allowing no player in the blue paint. Add it all together, and they will look like last year’s defence corps. 

More from Matthews

The fate of this team is on Auston Matthews’ shoulders as he must play like he did when scoring 69 goals in a season. Matthews has had a slow start to the season, already missing a couple of weeks due to an injury this month alone. As the captain and best player on the team, he has to play better; he is running out of excuses, and many fans are disappointed in his lack of performance.

If the Leafs want to turn things around, Matthews has to drive the ship in that direction, and that starts with him getting his scoring touch back. Leading the team in those big moments, down by a goal, needing someone to carry the load, Matthews has to be that guy. 

Can they bounce back?

The oddsmaker has the Leafs missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016, but we believe they can turn things around. With a tight Eastern Conference also taking every point made with the depth scoring, defence, and Matthews’ return, there is no doubt the Leafs can bounce back from this horrific skid.