Maple Leafs Find Their Spark in Pittsburgh Blowout, as Key Players Return and Ekman-Larsson Shines
The Toronto Maple Leafs wrapped up the past week with a win that felt more like a statement. Saturday night’s emphatic 7-2 victory over the Penguins in Pittsburgh wasn’t just two points in the standings - it was the kind of performance that can shift the energy of a season.
After a frustrating collapse earlier in the week against the Capitals, the Leafs bounced back with one of their most complete efforts of the year. And with reinforcements returning to the lineup, the timing couldn’t be better.
Reinforcements Arrive - and Make an Immediate Impact
Toronto finally got a welcome dose of good news on the injury front. Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies returned to action, and their presence was immediately felt.
Matthews, while not yet at peak form this season, still remains a central figure in the Leafs’ offensive engine. He chipped in three points over his last two games, including a strong showing in Pittsburgh that saw him back in the goal column.
Knies, meanwhile, continues to be the kind of player every contender needs - a relentless forechecker who brings physicality and energy night in and night out. He’s consistently among the team leaders in hits, and his absence had left a noticeable void in the Leafs’ forecheck and puck retrieval game. With him back in the mix, Toronto’s forward group looks a lot more complete.
On the back end, Jake McCabe and Nicolas Roy also returned to the lineup. McCabe, who had taken a puck to the face earlier in the week, didn’t miss any game time, but his return to full health adds some much-needed stability to a blue line that’s been tested by injuries. Roy, too, slotted back in and added depth to the bottom six - a group that came through in a big way against Pittsburgh.
Leafs Dominate in Pittsburgh - Finally, a Full 60-Minute Effort
The 7-2 win over Sidney Crosby and the Penguins wasn’t just impressive - it may have been the Leafs’ most complete game of the season. What stood out most was their ability to maintain pressure and finish strong in the third period.
That’s been a sticking point for this group, especially after they let a third-period lead slip away earlier in the week against Washington. But on Saturday night, the Leafs didn’t just hold the lead - they piled on.
The scoring was balanced and came from all over the lineup. Easton Cowan netted his third career goal, Matthews got back on the scoresheet, and the depth forwards stepped up in a big way.
Bobby McMann, Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, and Nick Robertson all chipped in, showing the kind of secondary scoring that’s been hit-or-miss for Toronto this season. When this team gets contributions from up and down the lineup, they’re a tough out.
Veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson added another goal - his fourth of the year - continuing what’s quietly been one of the more surprising storylines of the Leafs’ season. More on him in a bit.
And then there was Dennis Hildeby.
The young netminder delivered what might’ve been his best NHL start to date, stopping 33 of 35 shots and giving the Leafs the kind of goaltending performance that settles a team down. With Anthony Stolarz still sidelined, Hildeby has stepped up and given Toronto a reason to feel confident about their depth in net. If he keeps this up, he’s going to make a strong case for more starts even when the crease is crowded.
Ekman-Larsson’s Resurgence Continues - and It’s No Fluke
At 34 years old and in his 16th NHL season, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is turning back the clock. Once a 20-goal scorer and one of the league’s most dynamic offensive defensemen, OEL’s production had tailed off in recent years.
But this season? He’s looking like his old self again - at least in the offensive zone.
Ekman-Larsson came into this week with 20 points through 25 games, already putting him on pace for one of the most productive seasons of his career. For context, his best output over the past six seasons came in 2023-24 with the Panthers, when he posted 32 points. He’s already more than halfway there - and it’s only early December.
November was particularly impressive. Ekman-Larsson ended the month on a nine-game point streak, tied for the second-longest by a defenseman in franchise history. He was held off the scoresheet in just two games all month - a level of consistency that’s been rare from the Leafs’ blue line in recent years.
Unfortunately, he did leave Saturday’s game in the third period with an upper-body injury and didn’t return. The early signs, though, suggest it’s nothing serious.
William Nylander mentioned postgame that Ekman-Larsson said he was fine, and the team is hopeful he’ll be ready to go against the Panthers on Tuesday. If he plays and extends the streak, he’ll tie the franchise record for the longest point streak by a defenseman at 10 games.
Looking Ahead
The Leafs went 2-1 this past week, but it easily could’ve been a perfect 3-0 if not for that third-period lapse against Washington. Still, the way they responded in Pittsburgh shows this team has the ability to bounce back - and that matters in the grind of an 82-game season.
With key players back in the lineup and goaltending trending in the right direction, there’s reason for optimism in Toronto. The upcoming slate doesn’t get any easier, with matchups looming against the Panthers, Hurricanes, and Canadiens. But if the Leafs can build off the momentum from Saturday night - and keep getting contributions from across the roster - they’ll be in a strong position heading into the heart of the season.
And if Oliver Ekman-Larsson keeps this up? Don’t be surprised if he starts popping up in conversations about Team Sweden’s Olympic roster. He’s certainly earned it.