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Top 10 Toronto Maple Leafs Moments of the 2021 Season (So Far)

By Carter Loewen

TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - FEBRUARY 17: William Nylander #88 of the Toronto Maple Leafs looks to make a check against the Ottawa Senators during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 17, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Senators 2-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JANUARY 18: Justin Holl #3 of the Toronto Maple Leafs   (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

6. The Emergence of Justin Holl on Toronto Maple Leafs Blueline

Justin Holl has been a great surprise for the Leafs this year. Holl has come out strong on a pairing with Jake Muzzin and solidified the Leafs Top-4.

Holl battled for 8 years after being drafted before making the NHL and it seems that that journey and its grizzled experience it gave him has helped him.  Over 18 games this season, Justin Holl is playing an average of 21:34 a night, and as apart of the shutdown pairing with Jake Muzzin, Justin Holl sits second in team shot blocks with 32 and third in hits with 30 (courtesy: hockey-reference.com).

Defensively, Holl is smart. He takes away passing lanes and uses his big 6’4″ 204 lbs frame to force players off the puck and drive the play into less dangerous areas. Offensively, Holl is having a coming-out party. He sits with 7 points in 19 games and over the last week, he’s had not one, but two highlight-reel plays.

The first came in a victory over the Canadiens. Holl loaded up from the point for an absolute bomb to send past Carey Price.

The second came just last Wednesday in a win against Ottawa. Here, Holl takes the puck at the point and does just one small thing so, so right. Once he walks in, he waits for just another half-second to sell the shot so well before sending a  pass to set up Auston Matthews for a perfect one-timer goal.

Justin Holls play this year has impressed fans, the media, his teammates, and his coaches – now he’s finally being rewarded for it. Let’s just hope he can keep Holl-ing the blue line well.

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