The Toronto Maple Leafs have started the 2024-25 season bearing the weight of a struggle that’s hanged over their heads on and off for the past half-decade, but especially in the past six months or so — the power play.
For a team that possesses the talent the Maple Leafs do, complete with a 60+ goal scorer and two wingers capable of 90+ points, their numbers with the man advantage to start the season and dating back to February have re-written the definition of ugly.
The #leafs power play is 13-for-121 dating back to Feb. 27.
That’s a 10.7% conversion rate over a meaningful amount of time with a group of players that had previously been among the NHL’s best with the man advantage.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 25, 2024
Despite calls from the fanbase to break up the loaded top unit and spread the wealth on the two power play units, the Maple Leafs were running the same top unit with Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares making up the forwards. Oliver Ekman-Larsson remained with the group and has been one of the lone bright spots on it with his ability to get the puck through traffic and on net. It just hasn’t come up on the scoresheet because they haven’t done a good enough job finishing those chances, which Berube alluded to speaking to reporters after practice.
Berube on sticking with same personnel on top PP unit:
“What I’m seeing in the last four games is the chances … Now, in saying that, you gotta produce. A lot of times you just switch it up to switch up, but I see progression in the right direction”https://t.co/Ot77mIkjDE
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 25, 2024
Mitch Marner seemed to echo his coach’s sentiment about the power play, offering optimism that luck will turn their way if they keep grinding at it.
“Analytic-wise, we’re doing a lot of great things, so just be patient with it, know it’s coming … Just be a little cleaner on our entries, a little cleaner with our puck play, be a little more direct. But those 2nd opportunities, we have to be better around those.” Marner told media.
Berube’s nod of confidence directly mirrored his comments following Thursday night’s loss against the Blues.
“They had some looks again tonight but they’re still not seeing it. They’ll get it going, we’ll keep working at it.
Their power play currently sits 27th in the NHL at a measly 11.1%. While they’ve shown noticeable improvement on the defensive side of the puck (besides the last two games), they can’t seem to figure out how to capitalize when they’re at an advantage. Call it a failure to adapt or call it a struggle that will eventually figure itself out because of the talent on it, but right now, it’s holding them back from their maximum potential.
