Toronto Maple Leafs: Everything you need to know before the playoffs begin

Is it finally the year of the Toronto Maple Leafs? They’ve been snakebitten since the early 2000s in the playoffs, failing to advance on every attempt. Kyle Dubas bought big at the deadline, bringing in Ryan O’Reilly to bring in talent and leadership to a team angry for not just a playoff series win, but a Stanley Cup.

The team has all the horses in the barn, now they just have to go out and ride. This is easily the most talented Maple Leafs roster ever assembled since their Stanley Cup days of the 1960s, but will it all fit together? Only time will tell.

Here’s a look at where the Toronto Maple Leafs stand as they contend for the NHL playoffs

Toronto Maple Leafs v New Jersey Devils

Forwards

The Toronto Maple Leafs forward line is stacked, and adding Ryan O’Reilly at the NHL Trade Deadline just adds fuel to the fire. The problem is that they’re all on injury reserve right now. O’Reilly will be sidelined with a finger injury, while John Tavares is out with an illness. When the Maple Leafs get fully healthy, they’ll be a force to reckon with.

It may also be time to see the Matthews-Marner pairing really shine. After the last six seasons of development together, 2023 has shown the world the capabilities of those two on ice. As of now, each of them is averaging more than a point in every game. Expect that to continue to develop in the postseason.

Defensemen

The Toronto Maple Leafs knew what they needed to do at the NHL Trade Deadline. They have always been a team full of second and third-line defensemen and never having that true top pair. At the deadline they got more second- and third-line defensemen.

Despite the missed opportunity, the potential might still be there on the blue line. The hope is that Jake McCabe develops into the shut-down D man the Leafs have always been searching for. Having guys like Mark Giordano and Luke Schenn adds a little bit of extra bite to a younger looking blue line.

Goalies

Not even the Toronto Maple Leafs could have expected this type of season from Ilya Samsonov. Going into the season, the Leafs were certain that trading for Matt Murray as their starter was the right move, and that Samsonov would be the complimentary piece, but it has not turned out that way.

Murray has been average with a .908 save percentage and 2.80 GAA, while Samsonov has been the clear talent, going 23-8-2 this season. However, the Maple Leafs will have to be wary as there’s not much depth to go on in the minors.