Arun Srinivasan

@Arunthings

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I wonder how much the adherence to north-south structure is hindering the Leafs, because they're only scoring when going east-west, when the opponent makes a grave mistake, or springing a home run outlet pass for a breakaway. Nothing else is working at 5-on-5.

12:48 AM · Mar 16, 2025

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Here are five takeaways from the Maple Leafs’ loss to the Senators

• Craig Berube created some new forward line combinations, with Auston Matthews centring Matthew Knies and Max Domi, John Tavares centring Bobby McMann and Mitch Marner, while William Nylander lined up on the left wing alongside Scott Laughton and Calle Jarnkrok. Knies was active as a playmaker, Domi is clearly superior on the wing, as opposed to centre, while Nylander feasted against inferior competition, but aside from that, the experiment returned few positive results. There was no chemistry found between the McMann-Tavares-Marner line, which looked a step behind the play and were outshot 7-2 in their shared 8:43 at 5-on-5 via Natural Stat Trick. There are 16 games to go before the playoffs and the Leafs are a sporadic offensive team that relies far too heavily on winning off the rush and capitalizing on mistakes, as opposed to being able to create plays at will. It’ll be compelling to see what adjustments Berube makes for Monday’s game against the Calgary Flames.
• Nylander was Toronto’s best player by some distance and is perhaps exempt from criticism. He scored the game’s opening goal, driving to the net, one shift after springing Laughton on a partial breakaway. He drove the net, he carried Laughton throughout the contest, and Marner in the third period. He had three shots while seeking better opportunities for his teammates and seemed to take the result personally post-game. Nylander currently ranks second in the NHL with 37 goals and he’s going to feast on inferior competition if he sticks on the third line, in an attempt to balance out the Maple Leafs’ attack. At the moment, he’s the lone constant.
• Auston Matthews and Craig Berube both pointed to a lack of details in Saturday’s loss, post-game. Matthews spoke about his opponents playing with a desperation the Maple Leafs have clearly lacked, while Berube pointed to a lack of urgency. “I’d use the word urgency, some detail stuff,” Berube said. “Their three goals were all about losing battles inside the blue line. We didn’t win enough battles there. It’s urgency for me and details in the first two periods that weren’t there. When we decide to have urgency and do things the right way, we’re a way better team.” These aren’t comments to be taken lightly, especially since Berube was tasked with overhauling the Maple Leafs from a free-wheeling offensive team that lacked discipline, to a pragmatic team that could play the style that leads to win in the playoffs. It’s clear that the Maple Leafs cannot rely on superior talent, especially against a Senators team frothing at the chance to go on an unexpected, deep playoff run.
• Scott Laughton had a nightmare game, particularly against Travis Hamonic. Hamonic dropped him in the open-ice during the first period, then Laughton fought Ridly Greig, an even tilt where he landed a few, strong right-handed jabs. Laughton failed to convert on the chances created by Nylander, and he was wincing after blocking a shot in the first period. The 30-year-old was then inadvertently struck by a stick to his eye, left the game and the third period and did not return. Berube confirmed Laughton is fine after getting a few stitches. Laughton finished with a 75 percent share of the expected goals, but that may be largely a byproduct of Nylander creating a few A-grade chances for his linemates throughout the night. It’s still early in Laughton’s Leafs tenure, but he needs to deliver a stellar performance after settling in, the honeymoon phase is over.
• Perhaps this isn’t the time, but Brandon Carlo and Morgan Rielly had their best evening as a pair. Carlo recorded a secondary assist on Nylander’s goal, while Rielly activated off the rush and largely didn’t surrender ground off the rush, where he’s been getting scorched by opponents this season. Carlo and Rielly both posted positive shot differentials when they were on the ice, with a 72 percent expected goals or greater share at 5-on-5. Rielly was unfortunate to see David Perron’s shot go off his stick and in, and this can’t be simply passed off, but the process was there. It’s more than can be said for the rest of the Maple Leafs’ defence corps, who don’t deserve a passing grade in this space on Saturday evening.

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