Editor In Leaf
Fansided

4 Ways the Toronto Maple Leafs Win the Stanley Cup This Year

By Stephen Nixon

EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 14: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Rogers Place on December 14, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)
EDMONTON, AB - DECEMBER 14: John Tavares #91 of the Toronto Maple Leafs skates against the Edmonton Oilers during the first period at Rogers Place on December 14, 2021 in Edmonton, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Toronto Maple Leafs
TORONTO, ON – MAY 31: Some of the 550 Healthcare workers allowed to attend play between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs . (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /

1. Home-Ice Advantage

The Toronto Maple Leafs have only received home-ice advantage once with the core-four intact, and it was last year when they were only allowed to have 500 people in the arena for Game 7.

The Montreal Canadiens were able to get 2,500 screaming fans into the rink for Game 6 and essentially took back home-ice advantage because of it. If Toronto was at full capacity last year, it’s probably a different series.

When it comes to playoff hockey, or in any sport, home-ice advantage is huge. It’s literally in the name: “advantage.”

Having your home crowd on your side is a huge piece to it, but it’s all about familiarity. You don’t have to travel, you can sleep in your own bed, be comfortable in your rink and do all of the same routines that you do all season.

If Toronto can maintain home-ice, they also won’t have to play Tampa Bay or Florida (more than likely) in the first round, who will be the top-three teams in the Atlantic Division. Instead, they’ll get to play a Wild Card team and it’ll ease their chances at winning a round.

Home/Analysis