Have the Maple Leafs become an OFFENSIVE JUGGERNAUT?

The Toronto Maple Leafs are riding a three-game win streak, with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander pouring on the offense. The OverDrive guys discuss if this Leafs team has become an offensive juggernaut, and how it affects the playoff forecast.

[@saltpeter500]

Three games ago the sky was falling and now this? This is why everyone hates the Toronto sports media.

[@disinformationworld9378]

Fans are part of the problem. It’s a 82 game season not a 3 game season.

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Exactly, these guys will be golfing by May 1st!

[@bradenmcginnis1551]

@@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101 You're part of the problem too

[@kylemeridith9611]

While you won't even get a series to watch with ur dumpster if a team​@@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101

[@mediumdoubledouble9012]

This! It’s so annoying, scrap the team even tho we’re in first but we lost 3 OMG

[@Qreverend]

Toronto Sports Media strikes again

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Leafs are regular season dynamos, playoffs prima donnas

[@photophilsteingard8374]

Nylander is a great one way hockey player. In Oct he was a +7 in Nov when Matthews was out. He got his extra 2 1/2 more minutes per game which he asked for!! . He scored less goals and was a -7 for the month. He has loads of talent why can't he use his stick and speed to come back and defend. Before the 3 winning games he was -7 2nd worst on the team. He's like a light switch either on or off. Yes he has 4 goals in 3 games Add the rest of the month and he has 5 goals in 14 games. The reason why he is an iron man and never misses games. It's his style of play Never blocks shots, or goes into the corner to dig out the puck and he's not physical. Which means he doesn't get hit much and will not likely get hurt!!! He has a tough time with physical teams like Florida. Last year and this season he's played them 5 times. 0 goals 1 assist and -7 He passes the puck a lot more when they come after him, It's too bad having so much talent and he's amazing only when he wants to be. So many defend him and say..... It's just Willy he'll be fine. If anyone else they would get benched and their butts kicked!!!

[@markabendroth1774]

Absolutely ! Yep , right up up until April.

[@peacebringer8]

Look, we feel good now, but don't forget that we were Shutout by the Canucks last week or so. We have to tamper our expectations haha

[@TranTek]

This is why i love listening to Jonas the details, JT works well with Pachie Willy has a skating style that protecting the puck when Willy is off, something tells me he might not feeling right with his vision, might be reflect to his migrant

[@jaykhan511]

Again, one week ago we were questioning the whole team, get rid of this defenseman, trade this forward. Now we're all in lol just let the boys play

[@CanadianBongRipper]

In January: Are the Leafs the Favorites for the cup?? Mitch Marner is unbelievable! In May: Gotta blow up the core 4, trade Marner rince repeat.

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Exactly!

[@c_telking4433]

I never changes my tune on Marner. They should cut him loose if they get bounced in the first again

[@markhewgill6481]

The smoky quarter papi is better than the big McDavid

[@stug5041]

Even with a healthy JT, Willie should be on a line with holmberg or domi as his Center. It will allow one of Willie or JT to FEAST on low end opponents

[@tjp1451]

Offence has never really been a problem. Except in the playoffs. Defense is improved over years past. Goaltending is improved over years past (if healthy!) We'll have to wait and see how the forwards measure up in the playoffs this year.

[@yamez75]

Leafs need better bottom-six players, without a doubt. One hundred percent.

[@owenritzie1779]

@@yamez75this bottom six when reaves isn’t in actually clicks if they get a legit 3rd line center like gourd so domi doesn’t have to be center they will be better or if minten takes that next step before the end of the season

[@photophilsteingard8374]

Career Stats Marner 624 games +118 ........... Matthews 595 + 142 .......... Willy 651 + 22 (all his minutes each night 5 on 5 and PP)

[@graysongriese]

lol pasta still with 5 more points this year. And has put up back to back 100 point seasons. Willy is close. Imagine pasta on the leafs powerplay

[@photophilsteingard8374]

Willy got 98 pointes last year and on pace for 84 points this year.

[@davidwhidden9337]

The ol repeat. "Toronto is a wagon." "Toronto is an offensive juggernaut." Alllllllll this and the same responses apply. How's the goalie, and will they perform in the playoffs.

[@CanadianBongRipper]

Every time the Leafs have an early playoffs exit, Leafs media are talking about blowing up the core and that they will never win without a major change. Then Toronto has a great regular season and Matthews, Marner and Nylander are playing great and they will say ''Leafs look different this year, this could be the year the break through!''. It's been like that since 2019 yet they keep getting fooled.

[@davidwhidden9337]

@CanadianBongRipper Just the media being the media.

[@JCheesie]

@@CanadianBongRipper all I’m saying is that of all of the “different” years, the leafs are the most different this year in the sense of their defence is better, and they have goaltending. So I’m just seeing if there were to be a year that is the year I guess it might be this one?

[@owenritzie1779]

@@CanadianBongRipperfirst time in 4 years they have a goalie who won’t let in a blue line floaty wrister every other game and they made it out of the first round 2 yrs ago the curse is already broken they just need to push and play the way they have been and not fall to old habits

[@davidwhidden9337]

@@JCheesie My guy. The team can "feel" different all you want. The stats can be better all you want. It's the regular season. The game changes massively during the playoffs. The Leafs still aren't built for them.

[@ozzydo2314]

Well Kessel did put 2 mvp caliber stanley cup performances together.

[@yamez75]

I thought Kessel played very well against Boston in 2013, perhaps the Leafs best forward? Phil stepped up when it mattered, and ate hot dogs out of the Cup ss a result.

[@owenritzie1779]

@@yamez75that is not the point it’s about if he did more than just the bare minimum he could still be playing elite hockey like Crosby, malking and ovi or how pavelski was playing before he retired but when Phil lost his speed he never adjusted

[@c_telking4433]

Marner shrinks like a frightened turtle when hitting season starts. Juggernaut? Then struggle to get ANYTHING going 5 on 5 in the playoffs.

[@007---abc-p8b]

Top three in scoring Nylander, Mathews n Marner ?

[@007---abc-p8b]

Y not totally focus on these three on n off the ice ?

[@007---abc-p8b]

If ever together that would be Huge !!!

[@hockeyguy533]

Matthews should be leading the league in points year in and year out for whats his contract is worth. Ps Phill the thrill has more cups then the leafs franchise

[@jesse5495]

Jeff goes right to Willy and not Marner… Come on. No love lol

[@NyctNyct]

Calling these guys bipolar would be way too kind...

[@TheNimlith]

Pastrnak has more points on worse team what are they talking about? He has carried Bruins alone last season.

[@F40-c4i]

Carried them out of the playoffs. 😅

[@kevinjacksonj1135]

Dumb take incoming- 5:01 Man has his name on the cup 3 times and alkarya looked like he has a good time. He is simply enjoy himself in his return for sure.

[@ozzydo2314]

And in Pittsburgh it was 2 connsmyth caliber playoff runs. Some argued he deserved it more than sid the one year.

[@owenritzie1779]

Is it dumb when Phil actually could still be playing if he didn’t do the bare minimum if he worked on himself like guys like Willy and Crosby do he couldn’t adjusted his game when he lost his foot speed which was his greatest weapon in his prime

[@ozzydo2314]

@owenritzie1779 he's 37. Even in top top shape, he wouldn't put up 10 goals on a playoff team. Scoring at a good rate ate that age is extremely rare. Ovechkin is the exception.

[@carterhein3092]

Bobby doesn’t get enough credit for

[@Jimmyfly215]

its January. this kind of play needs to happen late in May and June. thats the only way these contracts work. other than that you are just wasting away contracts and money

[@roryzettler1094]

It was only Montreal, Florida is the team to beat.

[@photophilsteingard8374]

Toronto has a tough time playing physical which Florida does so well. Even Willy the last 5 games played with them he has 0 goals 1 assist and is -7 and like mentioned above playoffs is a total different game. The first 82 games is exhibition hockey until the playoffs,

[@PlaysBad.38]

Would you consider maybe thinking before saying things boys

[@murraymcfadyen5462]

Translate to playoffs but the rest of the team now has finally caught up secondary scoring is working now

[@DorMeles]

Its upside down...Marner makes EVERYONE BETTER. Check the Leafs record without Matthews in the lineup

[@c_telking4433]

Okay? Check their record with him IN the lineup lol Marner ceases to exist in a tight checking playoff game

[@DorMeles]

@@c_telking4433that’s the point genius. Their record without Matthews is better

[@shawn335]

Fix your sound

[@rippermalone]

Don’t care. Do something in the playoffs

[@jonah.donohue]

Pasta>

[@Isaias-v3x]

Catching up to pasta😂 hahahahahahahhahaa that is absolutely hilarious. He’s been better for 40 games pasta will put up more points like he always does despite playing with third liners like geekie zacha coyle. Willy gets to play with jt

[@alexyu1236]

Play in doesn’t count as missing the playoffs. It was a covid year and if that season doesn’t cancel leafs makes the playoffs. Leafs is the best team in the world they would of went on to win the Stanley cup 100 % go leafs ho go leaf go go leafs go go leafs go!!!!! Auston matthews gonna get 70 goals this year and win the Richard trophy and the Stanley cup!!!!! No I way leafs ever missing a playoffs in the matthews era no fucking way.

[@epicphailure88]

Leafs are only +15 in goal differential which is not amazing for a division leader and a team that is supposed to be dominant in the regular season.

[@disinformationworld9378]

This is due to Matthews being injured and the PP stinking. Entire team had unprecedented injuries to many forwards.

[@yamez75]

If goal differential meant so much, the how come the Lightning aren't in first place in the Atlantic?

[@owenritzie1779]

They have been winning tight one goal games which is good practice they haven’t lost this year while holding a lead going into the third which is also good

[@JasondenHollander-qj5hp]

R u serious???

[@sadbucket]

this comment section seems toxic af...

[@causeforeffects4442]

Like milk

[@orens95]

Buddy talking about Kessel the way ODog did is clearly a reflection of how he feels about himself. Kessel is completely fine with how his career played out because he did it his own way. That’s such a lazy argument..

[@NyctNyct]

Absolutely. Kessel catching strays at no fault of his own. Dude, won two cups, likely will make HoF and left this madness. Kessel had a great career yet people will randomly drag him down and speak on his behalf... just silly.

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Eat some more McNuggets ODOG

[@jerilane4420]

And the juggernaut had a goal against Columbus. Listening to these tools talk about the great Leafs is laughable. Against the tough teams are they that good. Don't forget these heros make more than Crosby!

[@RawDogginYou]

No. They haven’t.

[@josephspagnolo3376]

1 week ago it was the sky is falling, now this. I hate our media sometimes

[@williamcavanagh8982]

In reference to your caption, NO... they aren't even the highest scoring team in the league.... prepare your selves for yet another huge let down... I do believe they stand about 10th in GF... You're supposed to be a pro sports network .... do your homework or join MAGA.

[@quincee3376]

Huh.

[@DavidStevenson-b6z]

Still not making out the first round just watch

[@maxhfx]

I am so sick of people heaping this praise on Nylander. Yes obviously he is an elite offensive player, tremendously talented, but get real - he is a gross liability on the other side of the puck and his crap effort level can clearly been seen by anyone who watches the games away from the puck. If there isn't an offensive opportunity he lazily glides around and rarely backchecks effectively. Nobody is asking why he is getting breakaways every game? Spoiler alert, he's out there cherry picking and not playing defense when the puck is in their end. The Leafs have obviously made the calculous that his offense is worth the defensive liability and that's fine, but lets stop pretending he is even close to Matthews or Marner as all around players - he's not.

[@denisrodrigue829]

Yes I agree he's 100 feet elite player with no defense,stop putting Tavares with him because JT isn't good in defense also, but not for the same reason, because Willie is lazy on defense and JT isn't enough fast

[@ryanverville9567]

You guys obviously no nothing about hockey

[@TreaperFN]

@@ryanverville9567 never asked

[@disinformationworld9378]

@@ryanverville9567 you don’t know how to spell know. Everything he said was correct. Nylander is infuriating in defensive end, elite on offence.

[@davidwhidden9337]

​@@ryanverville9567 When he's not a point getter, what's he do?

[@HardwoodFloorRefinishing101]

Wake up Hayes..Toronto's 16, 34, 88 soft, cute players will disappear when confronted with Florida's 9, 16, 19... Matthews doesn't give a shit if the Leafs win in the playoffs and isn't going to sacrifice his health or risk injury for any hockey team. He feels the season is way too long, and looks forward to yacht time from May 1st to September 1st. Three more years of this garbage then he's off to La La land to end his career.

[@markiv2942]

Clearly. LOL