It’s been a few years since the Toronto Maple Leafs truly needed to fear the Pittsburgh Penguins.

But as the Leafs sit second last in the Atlantic Division with a 6-5-1 record, Sidney Crosby and Co. are chasing top spot in the Metro thanks to an 8-3-2 start. Kyle Dubas‘ Penguins team means business for the first time in his tenure.

Pittsburgh’s lack of depth has been an issue since the 2017 Stanley Cup Final, but it’s their strength now. You always expect big things out of Sidney Crosby, who is tracking for more than 100 points at the grand age of 38. He hasn’t hit that total since 2018-19, but you should never, ever ignore the timeless wonder.

And then there’s Evgeni Malkin — one of the most underrated superstars of our time. Injuries limited his overall career output, but he put up 83 points back in 2022-23. At 39, Malkin’s NHL days are numbered, but if this is really it for the pending UFA, he’s making a statement. With three goals and 18 points in 13 games, Malkin has been one of the NHL’s early season MVP candidates, dialling back the clock in a way we haven’t seen in years.

But just as important might be how Pittsburgh’s depth has stepped up. He might be hurt right now, but Justin Brazeau has been lights out with six goals and 12 points in 12 games. The 27-year-old finally became a full-time NHLer last year, but he had just 22 points between Boston and Minnesota. He’s the absolute perfect definition of a late-bloomer — the Toronto organization knows all about that. They never signed him to an NHL contract, but he did play parts of two seasons with the Toronto Marlies. Overall, he had just five points in 22 games, while primarily spending time with the ECHL’s Newfoundland Growlers.

Anthony Mantha, meanwhile, is thriving. Injuries limited him to just seven points in 13 games last year in Calgary, but he’s up to 11 in 13 games this year. It’s the best start to his career ever, with a full-season pace of 38 goals and 70 points. Once a top-line forward in Detroit, he never had more than 48 in a season. At $2.5 million, Mantha’s deal is looking like an absolute steal.

The career years don’t stop coming. Defenseman Ryan Shea has never had more than five points in his short NHL career, but has seven points through 13 games while playing over 20 minutes a night. Parker Wotherspoon has five points and 20 penalty minutes through 13 games – he had just five points in 55 games in Boston a year ago. Rookie Ben Kindel (three goals) and former Leaf Connor Dewar (three goals and five points) have had their fair share of hot moments, too.

Perhaps most importantly, though, is Pittsburgh’s goaltending. Both Arturs Silovs (7.69) and Tristan Jarry (6.8) are in the top 10 in goals saved above expected. Given that Jarry was at the bottom all of last year, that improvement alone has been crucial in Pittsburgh’s revival. Add in solid production from the normal suspects – Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson – and its clear Pittsburgh is firing on all cylinders.

Toronto has won the season series in each of the past three years, while the Pens have missed the playoffs each time. Right now, though, Pittsburgh enters Monday as the favorite, while Toronto has had its ups and downs to deal with. William Nylander will be back in the lineup, which should give Toronto a nice boost. And, on paper, Toronto looks deeper. Nick Robertson has excelled recently, and Easton Cowan is coming off of scoring his first goal But Pittsburgh’s depth has been absolutely crucial early on, and Toronto is going to need to overcome it to win its second consecutive game.

It’s always good to beat a team with one of the greatest to ever live. In Toronto, it’s extra special, given the connection to Dubas and Jason Spezza. The fact of the matter is, Pittsburgh’s depth has simply been better than Toronto’s – but if the Maple Leafs can shut that down, it might not matter.