The Toronto Maple Leafs may have needed a shootout and a heroic performance from Joseph Woll to overcome Utah on March 10, but all that matters is that they emerged 4-3 victors and halted a three-game losing streak. The Maple Leafs’ 39th win of the 2024-25 NHL regular season puts them on 81 points, only two behind the Florida Panthers, the Atlantic Division’s leaders.
After losing a 3-2 S/O at home to the San Jose Sharks, 2-5 at the Vegas Golden Knights, and 4-7 on the road at the Colorado Avalanche, the Maple Leafs traveled to struggling Utah in dire need of a win. Craig Berube‘s men got off to a flying start, surging in a 3-0 lead by 4:48 of the second period, thanks to goals from William Nylander, Calle Jarnkrok, and Simon Benoit. The Leafs’ attacking prowess was too much for Utah, and it was easy to see why many of the best online NHL bets have been on the Leafs reaching the Stanley Cup for the first time in 58 years.
Leafs Concede Three Goals in Less than Four Minutes
However, the Maple Leafs’ defensive frailties, which have seen them concede 18 goals in their previous four games, raised their heads again. Three goals in the space of 3:57 from Michael Carcone, Nick Schmaltz, and Barrett Hayton brought the teams level, much to the frustration of the traveling Maple Leafs fans. Matters could have become worse had it not been for Joseph Woll, who made 29 saves for the Leafs.
Leafs’ Head Coach Praises His Team’s Battling Qualities
Speaking to the reporters shortly after the game, Leafs’ head coach Berube praised his players for fighting until the end.
“We got off to a great start. Our first period was really good. We made a couple of mistakes in the second and some penalty trouble a little bit; I didn’t like the calls at all, to be honest with you. Right now, we’re fighting through some adversity, and the guys came through in the third, did a good job, and ended up winning the shootout.”
“We did what we had to do. This has been a long stretch for us on the road. We’re 9-3-1 in this stretch, which is very good, so credit to our guys. They’re battling, and they had a battle tonight. That’s a good team over there [Utah]. They come at you, have a lot of speed, and I thought our battle level was really good tonight.”
Four Consecutive Home Fixtures
The Maple Leafs have three days’ rest before their next game; they welcome the high-flying Florida Panthers to the Scotiabank Arena on March 13. The Panthers, who have won six straight games and recorded a trio of shutouts during that period, will provide a stern test for Berube’s Maple Leafs, who are 20-11-1 at home.
After hosting the Panthers, the Leafs welcome the Ottawa Senators (March 15), the Calgary Flames (March 17), and the Colorado Avalanche (March 19) before six of March’s last seven games see the team on the road yet again.
Are The Maple Leafs Genuine Stanley Cup Contenders?
Every hockey fan knows all about the Maple Leafs’ storied history. Only the Montreal Canadiens (35) and Detroit Red Wings (24) have appeared in more Stanley Cups than the Leafs (21), and only the Canadiens (24) have more Stanley Cup victories than the Maple Leafs (13). However, the Leafs’ loyal fans have endured an extended period without seeing their beloved team compete in hockey’s most prestigious game.
Most bookmakers consider the Leafs the fifth-favorite to lift the coveted Stanley Cup this season; their odds make them half as likely as the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars. It seems the Leafs’ historical playoff hoodoo is deterring hockey fans from backing them to go all the way.
This Leafs team has much going for it. Mitch Marner has been racking up assists (59) like nobody’s business, while the likes of Auston Matthews (33), Willian Nylander (30), and John Tavares (29) are also frequently chipping in.
One must also consider that the Leafs have Calle Jarnkrok back on the team. The Swedish center missed the first 60 games after undergoing hernia surgery. If Jarnkork remains fit and healthy for the rest of the campaign, he’ll be like a new signing for the Leafs, adding more depth to the roster.
The Leafs are on course to better their 46-26-10 record from 2023-24, and that will likely be Berube’s primary focus: improving this season and seeing what the playoffs bring. The Leafs have some challenging fixtures ahead of them. Still, the fighting spirit shown in this latest victory should give them the confidence and belief that they can be considered legitimate Stanley Cup contenders.
