Through their first eight games of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs have achieved a 6-2 record. They have successfully increased their goals-per-game average from 3.26 to 3.5, are allowing five fewer shots against per game, and are generally finding effective ways to secure victories.
It remains to be seen if the Panthers can ultimately solve them and win the series in six or seven games. The factors currently favoring the Leafs might also shift. Predicting outcomes is uncertain. However, what follows is not a prediction, but an observation: for those who have closely followed the team throughout the year, the Leafs in the playoffs appear distinct not only from their performance in previous seasons (a topic of discussion all year) but also significantly different from their own regular-season approach in ways that are particularly effective for playoff hockey.
Let`s delve deeper into how the Leafs have shown differences through their first eight playoff games compared to the regular season.
Improved Passing in Tight Spaces, Especially During Breakouts
A criticism often leveled against the Leafs, including by my cohost on Real Kyper and Bourne, has been their inconsistent passing quality. While they possess players who prefer shooting over passing, which can be beneficial offensively, it was frequently frustrating during breakouts when they would often opt for long stretch passes or simply banking the puck off the glass into the neutral zone.
However, when facing the aggressive forechecking from both Ottawa and Florida in the playoffs so far, the Leafs have demonstrated relative success with quick, short passes in congested areas. This strategy provides their teammates with the necessary time and space to move the puck out of their defensive zone effectively. According to passing data from Stathletes, the Leafs are averaging over three additional passes per 60 minutes in their defensive zone during the playoffs. Importantly, this increased passing is happening against playoff opponents known for their strong forechecks.
Effective teammate utilization, even outside the defensive zone, can lead to sequences like Max Domi`s goal, where four Leafs players made quick touches on the puck, with no individual skating with it for more than a couple of strides.Stronger Defensive Commitment
Since the trade deadline, which saw the Leafs acquire Brandon Carlo and Scott Laughton, the team has become a much tougher opponent for offensive players. From March 7th until the end of the regular season, the Leafs ranked fourth in goals allowed at 5-on-5, conceding just one more goal than Winnipeg and St. Louis, who were tied for second place.
In the regular season, the Leafs were ranked 11th in blocked shots, averaging 16.41 per game. In the playoffs, their average has significantly increased to 21.15, placing them just 0.02 behind the top team (Washington). In terms of total blocked shots, they have blocked 41 more than Dallas, the team closest behind them.
Simply put, it is currently very difficult for opposing teams to get pucks through the defensive structure the Maple Leafs are deploying.
