The Toronto Maple Leafs got the result they needed Monday night, beating the San Jose Sharks 3-1, and the win came with a few signs that can actually travel with them. It was not a spotless night - the defensive problems are still there - but Toronto leaned on special teams, got the saves it needed, and finished the job.
That matters now, with four games in six nights coming up. The Maple Leafs are still sorting out what they are under Jim Hiller, and the early returns have left some questions hanging.
Can they win by outscoring teams, or do they have enough structure to hold a lead? Against San Jose, there were at least a few encouraging answers.
One of the biggest positives was the penalty kill. Toronto was active, willing to block shots, and disciplined with its sticks, making life difficult for the Sharks whenever San Jose had the extra man.
That kind of work does not always show up in flashy ways, but it can tilt a game. On one late power play for the Sharks, Toronto kept the pressure contained and looked organized enough to steer the threat away.
In spots, the Maple Leafs even looked more dangerous shorthanded than San Jose did on the power play. That is a useful edge to have, especially when you are trying to protect a lead. Early in the season, Toronto’s penalty kill has been one of the clearest bright spots, and if that level of commitment holds, it can help mask some of the issues at five-on-five.
The power play had its own promising moment, too, with Kirill Marchenko and Austin Matthews showing some real chemistry. With little time left in the period, Toronto needed to move quickly, and the sequence looked clean off the faceoff. Marchenko was positioned just behind the net and seemed to be looking for Matthews in the slot, while Matthews worked to create enough space to present himself as an option.
Those are the kinds of plays that require instant recognition. There is no time to hesitate or overthink it. On that shift, both players appeared to see the same opening at the same time.
San Jose’s too-many-men penalty also handed Toronto another chance to make something happen. Marchenko was brought in to help offensively, and getting him linked up with Matthews could help him settle into that role. It is only one sequence, but small connections like that often help a power play find a rhythm.
There was also some value in Toronto’s work in the faceoff circle. Colton Sissons came into the game winning about 61 percent of his draws, and he finished 15 of 21, which works out to roughly 71 percent. The Maple Leafs were especially sharp in their own end, winning 10 of 13 defensive-zone faceoffs.
That stuff does not always get the spotlight, but it changes possessions. Win a draw in your own zone and you can kill pressure before it turns into something bigger. Win one in the offensive zone and you might create a chance before the other team gets set.
Sissons’ night also underscored the value of having a faceoff specialist around. It is not the kind of contribution that drives the highlight packages, but over time it adds up. For a team still trying to define itself, controlling the puck off the draw is one straightforward way to help steer games.
So Monday gave Toronto a useful win and a few things to hold onto. The penalty kill delivered, the power play showed a little chemistry, and the faceoff results were strong. None of that guarantees smooth sailing from here, and the defensive game still needs work, but the Maple Leafs at least have some building blocks as the schedule tightens.
In Other News...
Auston Matthews Is Giving Maple Leafs Fans A New Captaincy Debate
Auston Matthews has looked at his captaincy differently this season, and it has given Maple Leafs fans something else to debate beyond the usual questions about his production and the teams ceiling. There is a sense that his leadership has become more deliberate, both in how he carries himself with the media and in the way he handles his role on the ice, which has made the early read on this season feel a little different than in years past.
One thread worth watching is whether that change is happening in a vacuum or with some help from around the organization. Mats Sundins presence has been floated as a possible influence on Matthews approach, though nothing about that is confirmed, and the broader point is simpler: Matthews may just be settling into the job on his own terms. For a captain under constant scrutiny in Toronto, even a subtle shift in demeanor can turn into a meaningful storyline fast. [Read more 🡒]
Maple Leafs Suddenly Have A Jake McCabe Concern They Cant Ignore
Jake McCabes night ended early against the Columbus Blue Jackets after a stick incident forced the Maple Leafs defenseman out of the game in the first period. Toronto confirmed he did not return, leaving the team to wait for more information on what exactly happened and how serious the injury might be.
The concern for the Leafs is obvious because McCabe is such a steady part of their blue line, and any facial injury brings an immediate layer of uncertainty. Head coach Jim Hiller is expected to provide an update, but for now Toronto is left hoping the situation is not as damaging as it looked in the moment. [Read more 🡒]
Leafs Blue Line Trouble Just Made This Erik Karlsson Rumor Real
Torontos injury pileup on the blue line has pushed the Maple Leafs into a familiar place this time of year, searching for help and trying to figure out whether a move can steady the back end before the situation gets worse. That search has now sharpened around Erik Karlsson, with reports linking Toronto to the Penguins defenseman as the club weighs how a high-end puck mover would fit into a lineup that has been stretched thin.
Karlsson is still producing offense in Pittsburgh, which is part of why the rumor has real legs, and the fit is easy enough to imagine for a Leafs team looking for immediate impact. The harder part is the price, and nothing has been settled yet, but this is the kind of conversation that tends to get louder once injuries force a contender to explore every possible option. [Read more 🡒]