Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Stolarz, Tavares & Nylander

The Toronto Maple Leafs returned to their winning ways with a 7-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday. This win marked an important game in the Maple Leafs’ season, and the team kept pace for the Atlantic Division title. They also swept the season series against the Flyers, which (if nothing else) helps bolster their confidence as they move through the final stretch of the regular season.

While the game wasn’t exactly a “barn burner” — a term usually reserved for back-and-forth action by both teams — there were still plenty of exciting moments for the Blue & White. But after an initial goal, the Flyers couldn’t keep up with the Maple Leafs. Toronto controlled the pace throughout. When the third period came, the Maple Leafs just ran away and hid by extending their lead and keeping the Flyers from making a late comeback. The Maple Leafs never seemed in danger of losing control of the game.

Item One: Goaltending Solid, But Room for Improvement Ahead of Playoffs

Their goaltending looks solid as the Maple Leafs gear up for the postseason. Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll have performed well in the crease this season, but both have allowed goals they could have stopped. While the Flyers’ two goals in the Maple Leafs’ 7-2 win weren’t Stolarz’s fault, with the playoffs on the horizon, the team’s goalies have moved from stellar early in the season to above average more recently.

There’s still room for improvement in the net. The coaching staff now faces a crucial decision on whether to ride the “hot hand” in the postseason or continue rotating their goaltenders during the final stretch of the regular season. The truth is that both goalies seem neck-and-neck in that competition for the number one spot. Maybe that’s a good thing.

In the Maple Leafs’ win last night, Stolarz made 17 saves but didn’t need to be spectacular. He was untested for much of the game as the Flyers struggled to generate offence. However, Stolarz allowed the game’s first goal on a turnover in front of him and a quick one-timer over his glove in the first period. The second goal came on a second-period deflection. Stolarz has won his last two starts, allowing five goals in total over that span. His numbers remain solid, with a 2.42 goals-against average (GAA) and a .918 save percentage (SV%), ranking him among the NHL’s top-five netminders.

Item Two: Tavares Leads the Maple Leafs’ Second Line

John Tavares once again was a standout for the Maple Leafs last night. He’s showing that age is no barrier to his elite level of play. Tavares scored two goals and added two assists in the Maple Leafs’ win over the Flyers. That extended his recent hot streak to five goals in his last three games and nine points in his past four.

With 32 goals and 33 assists in 64 games, he’s a point-a-game player for the team. However, he also provides physicality. He has registered 80 hits this season. His season’s shooting percentage of 18.1% is notably higher than his usual 13.1%, but don’t knock it. The results speak for themselves, and he continues to score far better than expected.

Tavares has stepped up as a leader on the Maple Leafs’ second line. Partnered with William Nylander and Bobby McMann, the trio has become an effective secondary scoring unit, generating chances off the rush and cycling the puck well. The line outshot the Flyers 7-2 at 5-on-5 and dominated virtually every shift it played together. As the Maple Leafs head into the postseason, Tavares’ consistent play and leadership will be essential to the team’s success. He remains one of the NHL’s most effective centers despite being in the later stages of his career.

Item Three: Nylander Also Part of a Dynamic Maple Leafs Trio

William Nylander has grown into a key player for the Maple Leafs. Last night, he reached the 40-goal mark for the third straight season. He now also has 37 assists for 77 points in 71 games. With his third straight 40-goal season, he’s one of only four players in Maple Leafs history to achieve this feat. Nylander has been impressive this season. However, even with Leon Draisaitl (49 goals) injured and missing games for the Edmonton Oilers, there seems little chance he’ll be able to become a player in this season’s Rocket Richard race. Still, he could hit the 90-point mark before the postseason begins.

Nylander’s chemistry with his linemates Tavares and McMann (who scored his 20th goal last night) has been visible. The threesome has created one of the most dynamic second lines in the league. They can score off the rush, by maintaining possession, or by out-muscling opponents in front of the crease. They’ve become a consistent offensive threat.

Nylander’s vision, combined with Tavares’ leadership and McMann’s speed and scoring, has made this trio critical to the team’s success heading toward the postseason. The Maple Leafs will rely on this line to generate key offensive chances in high-pressure games as they look to make a deep playoff run. The two young big guys – Matthew Knies and McMann – give the top two lines something they didn’t have a couple of seasons ago. Size, speed, and strength could matter during the postseason.

What’s Next for the Maple Leafs?

The Maple Leafs are entering a critical stretch of their season. Several key games remain. Toronto now hits the road for California, where they play the San Jose Sharks tomorrow night, then the Los Angeles Kings (Saturday) and Anaheim Ducks (Sunday) before returning home for a key game against the Florida Panthers. These games could become the tipping points for the Maple Leafs’ playoff positioning. It would be good to grab home-ice advantage for as long as the team can during the postseason. That makes every game crucial as the regular season winds down.

As the postseason approaches, Toronto’s top two lines are playing well. The Maple Leafs’ goaltending and improved defence give them a solid foundation. The fourth line is trustworthy as well. Except for the Nashville fiasco, if the Maple Leafs continue playing with the confidence they’ve shown recently, they’ll be well-positioned for a successful postseason.