With the Toronto Maple Leafs making the playoffs for the seventh-consecutive season, let’s take a look at players who could have great performances this postseason.
It’s spring time, which means NHL playoff’s are near and hockey fans can’t wait. The Toronto Maple Leafs have made big additions to their lineup, with the likes of Ryan O’Reilly, Noel Acciari, Jake McCabe and Sam Lafferty all being acquired this season in hopes to finally make it past the first round for the first time since 2004.
However, there is a name that was not added this year that could have a breakout playoff performance, Alexander Kerfoot.
The 28-year-old’s 2022-23 campaign was not one he would have liked, putting up 32 points in all 82 games this season, but Kerfoot could very much enter this years postseason with something to prove.
Possible Big Playoff Performers For the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kerfoot’s contract expires at the end of this season and in the playoffs, the former fifth-round pick in the 2012 NHL Draft, went pointless in the final five games of the regular season.
The reason why Kerfoot could be a potential candidate to have a good showing is his past efforts in the playoffs.
In the 2019-20 play-in series against Columbus, the Vancouver native had three points in five games. The following year against the Habs, he was one of the best players in that series, putting up six points in seven games.
The 2021-22 playoffs against the Lightning weren’t ideal for Alex, only getting two points through seven games.
For Toronto Maple Leafs fans, this would be huge as if he is able to put up big numbers in the postseason, it would relieve some stress off the “big four.”
Another name that could excel in the playoffs is one of Dubas’ acquisitions, Sam Lafferty.
Lafferty is one of the players that suites the playoff atmosphere. He hits, he can score goals, and he can put up points.
Just take a look at his game against the Bruins on April 6th. It was easily his best game as a member of the Leafs. Lafferty got a goal, made some big hits, and was involved in his first fight as a member of the team.
When Dubas traded for Lafferty, it was a move that a lot of the fans liked to solidify the bottom six. Lafferty is also able to move between the third and fourth line, and has shown he can develop chemistry with players like David Kampf , Zach Aston-Reese and Ryan O’Reilly.
Overall, this is a big season for every member of the Toronto Maple Leafs organization. A deep defensive core, offensive threats from all four lines, but it will be interesting to see what will happen in the playoffs for the blue and white.