"After struggling to maintain a consistent strong showing in the early going of the season, the Leafs entered a six-game road trip at a critical juncture of the year. Not only did they emerge from it with a winning record, but the majority of their wins were convincing ones against some playoff hopefuls and the reigning Stanley Cup winners. Part of what has led to their turnaround of late"
"One of the biggest gripes that Leafs fans had during the Core Four era was the fact that a by-product of their cap structure meant their depth would not be as strong, and they therefore had to rely on the top guys to carry the load. While it was enough to get them through the regular season, it proved costly in the playoffs when the games got tighter and there weren't enough quality options to carry the load when the Big Four went cold."
The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled early but went on a six-game road trip that produced a winning record and decisive victories against playoff hopefuls and the reigning Stanley Cup winners. Part of the turnaround stems from a healthier roster, with most players available aside from a few long-term absences. Improved depth and more balanced ice time have reduced reliance on the top stars. A fast-paced game, frequent injuries, and a condensed schedule make roster depth especially important. Prior cap-driven roster construction limited depth and contributed to playoff failures when the top players cooled.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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