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Toronto Maple Leafs: Round 1 Western Conference NHL Playoff Predictions

By Luke Ryan

Mar 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) tries to skate past Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) in overtime at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 29, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (97) tries to skate past Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) in overtime at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 24, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi (50) is congratulated by right wing Viktor Arvidsson (33) and right wing Adrian Kempe (9) after scoring his first NHL goal in the third period of the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Sean Durzi (50)   Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Edmonton Oilers vs Los Angeles Kings

It’s very easy to look at the Edmonton Oilers and say that with the talents of Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, they are practically in the second round already.

However, as any Toronto Maple Leafs fan knows, talent alone can’t win a playoff round. The fact that Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and company haven’t been past round one speaks to that.

This is where the Los Angeles Kings must absolutely key in on the weakness.

With Dustin Brown announcing his retirement after this postseason concludes, the Kings now have someone to rally around and do their utmost to give him a fitting send-off.

Of course, riding on the emotional tug of getting it done for your former captain will likely only get you so far against such big talents though.

It’s also worth noting that the immense offensive talent on the Oilers will be lining up against a defense that is lacking a fair bit of depth.

Indeed, former Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Sean Durzi is their ice-time leading defenseman on the power play this season. That from a player still in his rookie NHL campaign.

It certainly speaks to some depth challenges within the Kings line-up. Having Drew Doughty on injured reserve isn’t helping their situation either.

As a Toronto Maple Leafs fan, there’s plenty of recognizable names beyond Durzi; the likes of Trevor Moore and Carl Grundstrom also feature, while Phillip Danualt is a name we know a little too well.

Realistically though, this iteration of the Kings team feels almost like the Toronto Maple Leafs back in 2016-17, when they managed to make the playoffs in Matthews’ rookie year.

Next. Eastern Conference Predictions. dark

They have done a good job making the playoffs but simply put the Edmonton Oilers will prove too strong for them. Edmonton in 5.

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