Maple Leafs Find Their Groove on the Road, But Bigger Questions Still Linger
It’s been a turbulent January for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but a three-game road winning streak has offered a welcome dose of momentum-and maybe a bit of clarity. Toronto is still five points out of a playoff spot, and the margin for error remains thin. But this recent stretch feels less like a team in need of a teardown and more like one that simply needs to recalibrate.
Their latest win, a 5-2 victory over the Oilers, wasn’t just a scoreboard triumph-it was a statement. The Leafs capitalized on a rare third-period 5-on-3 power play, and from there, they didn’t look back.
William Nylander continued his strong form, Matias Maccelli potted two goals, and Matthew Knies looked as dynamic as he has all season. Most importantly, Anthony Stolarz delivered the kind of bounce-back performance he desperately needed, stopping 34 of 36 shots and looking far more like the goalie Toronto hoped he’d be.
With the Olympic break looming, the Leafs will have time to regroup-but the front office still has some tough decisions to make. This is a team that will likely be active at the trade deadline, but the changes need to be purposeful.
This isn’t about shaking things up just to be seen doing something. It’s about finding the right fits-on the ice and behind the bench.
Against Edmonton, Toronto showed the kind of edge they’ll need to carry forward. They didn’t back down from Connor McDavid, played him tight, and responded with pushback when the Oilers tried to rattle Stolarz.
That kind of collective response matters, especially with Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev both on the injured list. The Leafs’ blue line, already stretched thin, has been punching above its weight.
One of the more intriguing developments has been Matthew Knies’ play on the third line. Whether it’s the reduced pressure or just better chemistry, he’s looked more comfortable alongside Nic Roy.
Roy, for his part, continues to show what he can do when given more offensive support. That pairing has been a bright spot, but if Bobby McMann is moved before the deadline, the Leafs may have to reshuffle again-possibly reuniting Knies with Auston Matthews or giving him extra time to fully recover from his earlier injury.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson also made his presence felt in Edmonton, leaning into the physical side of his game. Whether that performance serves as a reminder to rival GMs of what he can bring to a playoff contender-or convinces Toronto to keep him around a little longer-it was a timely reminder of his value when he's engaged.
Scott Laughton continues to put in solid shifts, but he’s a name that should be in the mix as the Leafs explore trade deadline options. His stock is steady, and with Toronto needing to make strategic moves, he could be a valuable piece to dangle.
As for Nylander, his offensive production speaks for itself, but it’s his defensive play that’s quietly taken a step forward since returning from injury. One particular read on McDavid stood out-smart, composed, and exactly the kind of two-way awareness the Leafs have been hoping to see more consistently from him.
So yes, it’s been a good week for Toronto. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The playoff chase is still an uphill climb, and the Eastern Conference isn’t getting any easier. The Leafs are showing signs of life, but hope and hype need to stay in check.
There’s work to be done-on the ice and in the front office.
But for now, a win in Edmonton, especially one that looked and felt this solid, is worth savoring.