Now In: Why the Toronto Maple Leafs Are Poised for a Deep Playoff Run This Year…..
The Toronto Maple Leafs are entering the 2025 NHL playoffs with a strong case for a deep run. Led by superstars Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, the team boasts one of the league’s most potent offenses. Matthews had another elite season, and with secondary scoring from players like William Nylander and John Tavares, the Leafs can roll multiple lines capable of producing.
This year, however, it’s the improvements on the blue line and in net that give the Leafs a real shot. Defenseman Morgan Rielly has anchored a more disciplined, structured defensive corps, while goaltender Ilya Samsonov has found consistency at just the right time. The team’s defensive depth, including newcomers who’ve added grit and stability, has made them tougher to play against.
Toronto also enters the postseason healthier than in previous years and with more playoff experience. Last year’s breakthrough past the first round has lifted a mental burden, and the team looks mentally tougher and more mature.
Coached by Sheldon Keefe and backed by a fan base desperate for a Stanley Cup, the Leafs are more balanced and battle-tested than ever. If they stay healthy and focused, they’re poised to finally make the deep playoff run fans have been waiting for.
