We’re at the halfway point of the regular season, and the Toronto Maple Leafs face the prospect of missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade. Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube was granted another vote of confidence from general manager Brad Treliving, assistant coach Marc Savard was fired, while Auston Matthews appears to be turning the corner, with five goals in his past two games.

It’s time to issue second-quarter grades. Here’s a reminder that the grades are relative to preseason expectations, and take injuries and other factors into account. Here are our first-quarter grades, as a point of reference.

Artur Akhtyamov: Akhtyamov played his first NHL game, making five saves against the Edmonton Oilers on December 13 in a 6-3 loss, coming into the contest when Dennis Hildeby was pulled. It’s the only time we’ve seen him play and therefore, he gets an incomplete grade. Incomplete 

Matt Benning: Benning made his season debut against the New York Islanders on January 3. He was solid and unnoticeable, so we need a larger sample before offering a true grade. Incomplete 

Simon Benoit: Benoit was benched for three games during the latter half of December for poor play. He’s made fewer mistakes since returning to the lineup, and with the Leafs’ defence facing a number of injuries, Benoit will need to be more consistent, while featuring in a third-pair role. C-

Brandon Carlo: Carlo underwent foot surgery on December 3, and has not played since November 13. Incomplete.  

Easton Cowan: Cowan continues to be one of the Maple Leafs’ best forwards, and has formed real chemistry on a third line with Nicolas Roy and Nick Robertson. Craig Berube inexplicably took Cowan out of the lineup for three games in December. Cowan hasn’t been perfect, and there have been a few games when he’s been bumped off the puck too easily. The rookie’s tenacity, hockey intelligence and playmaking are plus-assets, the good outweighs the bad, on a team that always needs an extra spark. B

Max Domi: Domi’s defensive woes will always be a glaring issue, but the Leafs have figured out how to optimize the veteran forward: he simply cannot play centre any longer! In the interim, Domi has been played some of his best hockey of the year when paired with Auston Matthews, given a larger avenue for his playmaking to shine. B-

Oliver Ekman-Larsson: Ekman-Larsson was named to Sweden’s Olympic team, a well-deserved accomplishment for the 34-year-old. He’s been Toronto’s best overall defenceman, with due apologies to Jake McCabe, proving secondary scoring, toughness, and a willingness to take on tough assignments. Where would this team be without Ekman-Larsson? You may not like the answer! B+

Dennis Hildeby: Hildeby has proven that he’s an NHL-ready goaltender this year, which may be one of the few positive surprises. The 24-year-old has posted a .914 save percentage in 15 appearances, while showing significant improvement with his rebound control. Hildeby was expected to play the majority of the year with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. He exceeded expectations, and could be in line to split starts for the duration of the year. A-

Calle Jarnkrok: Jarnkrok scored once in 12 games during this quarter. Although he’s been used as a utility player at this point, Jarnkrok hasn’t been able to create any real value in a fourth-line role. If another NHL team sees Jarnkrok as a useful piece, the Maple Leafs would be wise to include him any potential deadline deals. D

Dakota Joshua: Joshua suffered a lacerated kidney during a December 28 game against the Detroit Red Wings. He was rendered a healthy scratch in late November, and upon returning to the lineup, will need to show greater consistency. There have been few games where Joshua has displayed the totality of skill set. C-

Matthew Knies: Knies hasn’t always been at his best, but he’s found new life after being separated from the top line. Toronto’s power forward is taking on a new role in the bumper spot on the power play, and like Matthews, may be turning the corner after a slow start to the year. B-

Scott Laughton: Laughton does all the small things well for the Maple Leafs, and has been lauded for his leadership. The advanced numbers aren’t nearly as kind, as the Maple Leafs posted sub-38 percent Corsi and expected goals shares this quarter, when Laughton’s been on the ice at 5-on-5. Toronto needs more players with Laughton’s heart and drive, but there’s a reason why he’s best suited in a fourth-line role. C+

Steven Lorentz: Lorentz in a similar scenario as Laughton, where his speed and tenacity are good qualities, but the underlying numbers suggest that he’s a replacement-level player. Toronto will need its fourth line to win its minutes more frequently during the second half of the year. C-

Matias Maccelli: Maccelli was benched for nearly a month, before being reinserted into the lineup on December 20. There’s no way he’s being replaced now. The prolonged scratch evidently made a difference, as Maccelli is more confident with the puck, and is now trusted with the entries on the new-look power play. It’s been an uneven quarter for Maccelli, who is trending upward. B-

Auston Matthews: There may be some recency bias factored into this grade. Matthews played his best game of the year on December 27 against the Ottawa Senators, registered a hat-trick on New Year’s Day against the Winnipeg Jets, and broke the Leafs’ franchise record for goals on January 3 against the New York Islanders. Toronto’s captain led the team in scoring with 19 points in 18 games during the second quarter. While Matthews’ form was routinely criticized during this period, he’s beginning to resemble the face-of-the-league superstar that he’s expected to play like. A-

Jake McCabe: McCabe has been in strong form for the Maple Leafs and now operates as the team’s true shutdown defender, with Chris Tanev and Brandon Carlo out. During the second quarter, McCabe posted a team-best plus-16 goal differential (25-9) at 5-on-5, while leading the NHL in blocked shots. We need to be louder about McCabe’s strong season to date. A- 

Bobby McMann: McMann led the Maple Leafs in goals during December, and he’s been more engaged, especially when placed in a top-six role. After a dormant start to the year, McMann is using his speed and size more effectively, and he ranks second tied for 2nd in 5-on-5 points during the second quarter, trailing only Auston Matthews. B

Dakota Mermis: Mermis offered some solid, if underwhelming third-pair impact for the Maple Leafs, before being placed on injured reserve. He’s always going to be part of the background, and played to his role well. B-

Philippe Myers: It’s no fun to be cruel, so we’ll keep it to the facts: Myers was disastrous during the second quarter, with many fans calling for his replacement. Berube eventually gave into the demands, with the Maple Leafs controlling just a third of the shots when he was on the ice. Myers will need to improve his gap control significantly, before re-entering the lineup. F

William Nylander: Nylander’s confidence began to wane following a December 21 loss against the Dallas Stars. Toronto’s star winger regained his form during the final week of December, before suffering a lower-body injury on December 27. Nylander is now on injured reserve, although the Maple Leafs told reporters it’s strictly for roster management purposes. When he returns to the lineup, the Maple Leafs need him to resemble the player that took the ice during the first quarter. B-

Jacob Quillan: Quillan’s drive and competitiveness were highlighted by Berube, before he made his season debut on November 10. He played in one game during the second quarter, making a minimal impact in a 4-0 win against the New Jersey Devils on December 30. Incomplete 

Morgan Rielly: Rielly is undergoing one of the worst stretches of his career, with a -10 rating at 5-on-5 during the second quarter. He is coming off his worst game of the season, where he was on the ice for all four goals in a 4-3 loss against the New York Islanders, committing a costly blunder on Matthew Schaefer’s game-winner. Rielly holds himself accountable off the ice, but the mistakes are compounding at a rate that makes it nearly impossible to highlight his good qualities. It’s been a tough season for the Maple Leafs’ longest-tenured players. D 

Nick Robertson: Robertson is a staple in the lineup, and he’s been rewarded for his tenacity and all-out aggression. Robertson is playing well in a third-line role and with six points in his past five games, he could be an attractive trade candidate if the Maple Leafs elect to re-tool at the deadline. B

Nicolas Roy: Roy has been prone to bouts of inconsistency, but he’s finding his game on the third line with Robertson and Cowan. Toronto will need more than four goals from Roy during the second half of the year. That’s simply the story of his season. C-

Troy Stecher: Stecher has been a God-send for the Maple Leafs, since being claimed off waivers in mid-November. He’s relentlessly competitive, facilitates easy exits and is playing the best hockey of his career. Stecher may have found a permanent home with the Leafs, with his mobility and tenacity breathing new life into the defence corps. A 

Anthony Stolarz: Stolarz hasn’t played since suffering an upper-body injury on November 11. Incomplete

Chris Tanev: Tanev may undergo season-ending surgery for a groin injury sustained on December 28. The 36-year-old played in three games after returning to the lineup on December 23. Tanev provided some solid defensive impact, but the injuries have been the story of his season. C 

John Tavares: Tavares was the Maple Leafs’ first-quarter MVP, but his form has fallen off significantly during the second quarter. The veteran forward has registered just five points at 5-on-5 in the Leafs’ past 20 games, tied for 12th on the team during this span. Tavares is still an essential part of the team, but it’s possible we may be witnessing some age-related decline for the first time. C+

Henry Thrun: Thrun has played four games for the Maple Leafs in a bottom-pairing role. We’ll need to see more from Thrun, as his poor defensive metrics through four games may overshadow his ability to skate and get into gaps. C-

Joseph Woll: Woll saved 3.53 goals above expected during this quarter, the 19th-best total in the NHL. He’s been operating as the Maple Leafs’ true No. 1 goaltender, with Anthony Stolarz out since November 11. Woll provides the Maple Leafs with chances to steal games, especially when the team is routinely out-chanced and out-possessed. No wonder why people are blaring out ‘Wonderwall’ in his proximity. B+