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Ryan O’Reilly Could Be The Missing Piece For the Toronto Maple Leafs

By Mitchell Hartman

TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Ryan O'Reilly #90 skates in his 1st game as a Toronto Maple Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - FEBRUARY 18: Ryan O'Reilly #90 skates in his 1st game as a Toronto Maple Leaf against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on February 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Maple Leafs defeated the Canadiens 5-1. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images) /
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It’s common knowledge at this point that the Toronto Maple Leafs haven’t won a playoff series since 2004.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had successful regular seasons every year since 2017, but have gone 0-for-6 in playoff rounds.

In the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, the Leafs were their closest to winning a playoff round in the “Auston Matthews era,” leading 3-2 in the series before losing game 6 in overtime and losing a hard-fought game 7 by a 2-1 score to the eventual cup finalists Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Leafs also outscored the Lightning in the series, which no team had done against Tampa Bay since 2019.

Toronto Maple Leafs and Ryan O’Reilly

I believe this year is different, however. I’m sure fans and players of the Leafs are tired of saying those words, but something about this team is different. That being one player, Ryan O’Reilly.

In the many years since 2004, the Leafs have not had a player like O’Reilly. Every year, fans and analysts alike always say how the Leafs need “more grit”, or need “more depth”, or “better defense”, or “more experience”.  O’Reilly brings all of that.

In last year’s playoffs, the Leafs star players all produced well, however, secondary scoring was lacking. Outside the “core four” of Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and John Tavares, no Leafs forward scored more than twice. Ryan O’Reilly looks to change that. He gives the Leafs more options up front that they did not have last year.

The Leafs at times in the playoffs last year, had a tough time keeping the puck out of their own net, allowing 3 goals or more in 5 out of 7 games, including 7 against in game 4. Good news for the Leafs, O’Reilly is pretty darn good at defense. Ryan O’Reilly won the 2019 Selke Trophy for the best defensive forward in the NHL.

Perhaps O’Reilly’s best asset is his experience and Stanley Cup pedigree. The Toronto Maple Leafs in past years have added veteran players in hopes of adding experience to the lineup.

And while players such as Joe Thornton and Jason Spezza brought great veteran leadership, neither brought the hardware O’Reilly has, that being a Stanley Cup. Not only did O’Reilly win the 2019 Stanley Cup as a member of the St.Louis Blues, he also won the Conn Smythe trophy as playoff MVP. He is exactly the player the Leafs have needed for the past 7 years.

dark. Next. Leafs Not Playing Well

The Leafs will again have a tough matchup in round 1 of the playoffs this year, as they are likely playing the Lightning for the second year in a row. But Toronto is a different team this year, and if they manage to overcome their playoff demons, expect O’Reilly to be a big reason why.

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