This may sound insane, but the Toronto Maple Leafs must stop winning immediately.
On Wednesday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Dallas Stars 5-4 at home. The game delivered everything you hoped for, and Toronto’s core four were outstanding. However, it is the issue.
For the previous six years, we’ve known that Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares are incredible. All four of these players have helped this team reach the playoffs for a league-best seven years in a row, and they continue to deliver on a nightly basis. Ninety percent of the jerseys worn at Scotiabank Arena include one of those four names on the back, and we fans should be grateful that they have been a part of this organization for so long.
So why am I upset about their success? During the Leafs’ 5-4 victory, all four players scored a goal, with Nylander adding two of his own. Toronto tallied a total of 11 points, nine of which came from the core four, with Matthew Knies and Tyler Bertuzzi each assisting.
Toronto Maple Leafs Should Stop Winning
Having said that, the top six was the reason for victory, but it was insufficient to complete the task. Despite their best efforts, the Leafs conceded four goals, as their defense and goaltending remained a concern. Furthermore, their bottom six did not earn a single point, which is concerning given the five goals scored.
I know Simon Benoit has been a quality player for the Leafs recently, but he had the second-most ice time on the team on Wednesday night, which should never happen. Essentially, the team’s best players rescued the rest of the group and were the sole reason they won.
This is a terrific recipe for the regular season, but it cannot be used in the playoffs. During a seven-game playoff series, coaches have a much easier time shutting down the opposition’s best players, so they will find a way to stop Matthews, Marner, Tavares, and Nylander, as they always do.
As bizarre as it seems, I believe that wins like this are harming the team’s longterm future. I can’t say it enough: this team isn’t going anywhere unless they trade for a franchise goalie or find two more top-four defensemen. The Leafs’ top four forwards are great, but they cannot be the sole source of offensive production in the playoffs.
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• The Toronto Maple Leafs should trade four players as soon as possible.
I want huge changes, but they will not happen if they continue to win. Hopefully, Brad Treliving and the rest of the team can recognize that these types of triumphs do not work in the playoffs, and they can make a statement before the NHL Trade Deadline.
