"The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2025-26 season with high expectations, boasting one of the most complete defensive cores in the Matthews era. Yet, after 19 games, the team finds itself struggling mightily in its own end. Injuries to key players, inconsistent goaltending, and a coaching transition behind the bench have combined to leave the Leafs near the bottom of the league defensively."
"When looking back at last season, many wonder how the Toronto Maple Leafs suddenly became one of the NHL's most effective defensive teams, something rarely said during the Auston Matthews and William Nylander era. In 2024-25, the Leafs allowed 29.33 shots against per game. Offensively, they averaged 28 shots per game, meaning they were often outshot despite being a 52-win team that captured the Atlantic Division for the first time since 1999."
"Even with territorial play not consistently in their favour, the Maple Leafs found a way to manage games. Their structure tightened, and when breakdowns occurred, Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll routinely stepped up. The duo was instrumental in closing out tight, low-event matchups, an area where Toronto had historically struggled. Their ability to "shut the door" allowed the Leafs to thrive in one-goal games and masked the team's ongoing challenges in dictating pace and controlling the flow of play."
Toronto entered 2025-26 with high defensive expectations but has struggled after 19 games, showing poor defensive-zone coverage. Injuries to key players, inconsistent goaltending, and a coaching transition have contributed to the decline. In 2024-25 the team ranked inside the NHL top 10 in goals against (2.79 per game) yet often surrendered more shots than it generated, allowing 29.33 shots against while averaging 28 for. A tightened structure and strong performances from Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll previously masked territorial shortcomings, enabling success in one-goal games and postseason resilience that has now eroded.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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