Maple Leafs’ Boring, Risk-Adverse Hockey Cost Them Playoff Series – The Hockey Writers – Toronto Maple Leafs

In a recent article for The Athletic, analytics expert Dom Luszczyszyn delivers a critical analysis of the Toronto Maple Leafs‘ playoff performance, highlighting a concerning trend that has plagued the team for several seasons. That is the shift towards a conservative, risk-averse style of play that has undermined the team’s success on the ice.

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Luszczyszyn’s thesis – based on analytical evidence – is that because the Maple Leafs worked hard to establish themselves as contenders, they tried to mimic what they believed was ideal playoff hockey – tight-checking, defensive-minded, and risk-averse. They cared too much about not making mistakes and too little about assertively creating offence and scoring. By doing so, they played into the other team’s hands. In this postseason’s case, they allowed the Boston Bruins to set the style of the game and were reluctant to embrace their offensive strengths and assert their unique talents and abilities as a team.

Luszczyszyn’s analysis highlights the Maple Leafs’ adoption of a “play it safe” mentality, prioritizing defensive stability over offensive aggression. However, this approach backfired because the team sacrificed its strength—a dynamic offence—for a conservative style of play. The result? Focusing on perfect defensive games resulted in playoff disappointment yet again. Even after the team pulled off two almost-perfect defensive wins, they came one third-period goal short of winning (from “The Maple Leafs changed how they play in the playoffs and lost because of it,” Dom Luszczyszyn, The Athletic, 5/8/24).

Three Reasons the Maple Leafs Lost Their First-Round Series to the Bruins

Luszczyszyn presents three key reasons the Maple Leafs lost to the Bruins in the playoffs.

Reason One: The Maple Leafs Abandoned Their Identity

The Maple Leafs’ failure to establish and adhere to their offensive identity was detrimental to their success. Rather than playing to their strengths as a fast-paced, high-scoring team, they chose a risk-averse approach that stifled their creativity and limited their ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

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Reason Two: The Maple Leafs Underutilized Their Offensive Talent

Despite…