The Toronto Maple Leafs may not be where they hoped to be in the standings - currently sitting sixth in the Atlantic Division - but they’re heading into the Olympic break with some much-needed momentum. Winners of three straight, including a gritty win over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night, the Leafs are showing signs of life just as the NHL pauses for the 2026 Winter Games in Italy.
Three Leafs - Auston Matthews (Team USA), William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson (Team Sweden) - will be suiting up on the Olympic stage. But for the rest of the roster, this three-week break is a rare chance to hit reset, both physically and mentally. And for a few key players in particular, this pause couldn’t have come at a better time.
Let’s dive into the players who stand to benefit most from this break - and why the timing might be just what the Leafs need to stay in the playoff hunt.
John Tavares: The Ironman Who Needs a Breather
At 35 years old, John Tavares continues to defy expectations. He’s third on the team in scoring with 20 goals and 47 points, and alongside Ekman-Larsson, he’s one of only two Leafs to suit up for all 57 games this season. That kind of durability is impressive at any age - but especially for a veteran playing heavy minutes down the middle.
Still, the grind is starting to show. Over the last 15 games, Tavares has looked a step slower, and his production has dipped. It’s not for lack of effort - it’s just the reality of a long NHL season wearing on a player in the twilight of his career.
The Olympic break offers Tavares a chance to recharge. Sure, he likely would’ve loved one last shot at wearing the maple leaf for Team Canada - he was part of the gold medal-winning squad in Sochi back in 2014 - but this time off might be the better long-term play for both him and the Leafs. With the team sitting five points out of a wildcard spot, a rested and re-energized Tavares could be a major difference-maker down the stretch.
Morgan Rielly: Time to Heal and Reset
Morgan Rielly’s season has mirrored the Leafs’ in many ways: moments of brilliance, but far too many lapses. Statistically, he’s roughly on pace with last year’s numbers, but his minus-17 rating through 54 games ties the worst of his career. That stat doesn’t tell the whole story, but it does point to inconsistency - something the Leafs can’t afford from their top defenseman.
More pressing, though, is Rielly’s current injury status. He’s missed the last two games with an upper-body issue, and while it’s not expected to be long-term, the timing of the Olympic break is a gift. Instead of missing extended action, Rielly can now take the time he needs to fully recover without the team losing him in the lineup.
For a player who logs big minutes in all situations, getting back to full health could be crucial. If Rielly returns sharper and more confident, the Leafs’ blue line - which has struggled at times this year - gets a major boost heading into the final third of the season.
Matthew Knies: A Young Star in Need of a Reset
Matthew Knies hasn’t looked quite like himself this season, and the numbers back that up - at least partially. His minus-11 rating isn’t ideal, but his 46 points in 54 games suggest he’s still finding ways to contribute offensively. In fact, he’s on pace to eclipse last year’s 58-point campaign.
But Knies has been battling a nagging lower-body injury for much of the season, and it’s clearly taken a toll. The 23-year-old admitted as much earlier this week, telling The Athletic’s Joshua Kloke, “It sucks when you don’t feel like yourself.”
That kind of honesty is refreshing - and it also underscores how important this break could be for him. If Knies can use the time to fully heal, he has the potential to be a real X-factor in the Leafs’ playoff push.
He’s already shown he can be a difference-maker when healthy. Now, it’s about getting back to that level - and staying there.
Joseph Woll & Anthony Stolarz: Goaltending Tandem in Need of a Tune-Up
Toronto’s goaltending situation has been a bit of a rollercoaster this season. Joseph Woll has been solid, posting a .910 save percentage and a 2.92 goals-against average, but he’s also dealt with injuries.
Anthony Stolarz - last year’s playoff starter - has had a tougher go. He’s played just 16 games and carries a .882 save percentage with a 3.55 GAA.
Those numbers are well below expectations, and they’ve opened the door for third-stringer Dennis Hildeby, who has quietly outperformed both with a .912 sv% and 2.90 GAA.
Neither Woll nor Stolarz is currently sidelined, but the wear and tear of the season is real - especially for two goalies who’ve missed time already. The Olympic break offers a unique opportunity for both to rest, reset, and refocus.
For Woll, it’s about staying healthy and maintaining consistency. For Stolarz, it’s a chance to regroup and find his game again. If he can get back to the level he showed in last year’s postseason, the Leafs could have a formidable tandem heading into the stretch run.
The Bottom Line
The Leafs are still very much in the playoff conversation, but there’s work to be done. The Olympic break arrives at a critical juncture - not just for the standings, but for the health and mindset of this roster.
For veterans like Tavares and Rielly, it’s a chance to rest weary bodies. For young guns like Knies, it’s a window to heal and rediscover form. And for the goalies, it’s a much-needed pause to get right - physically and mentally.
When the puck drops again in late February, the Leafs will need to hit the ground running. But if they use this break wisely, they’ll be better positioned to make that push. The road to the playoffs is never easy, but with a healthier, fresher lineup, Toronto just might have the pieces to make it interesting.