Under-the-Radar Players That Can Help the Toronto Maple Leafs Achieve Glory
The performance of the Leafs stars will ultimately determine their success in the Stanley Cup playoffs, but players from further down the roster must also do their part.
The stars must lead the way if the Toronto Maple Leafs are to defeat the Boston Bruins in their first-round matchup of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The idea of important players playing a meaningful role in determining a team's postseason success is not a bold proclamation. While it's true the marquee players drive the bus, the last team standing always has significant contributions from unexpected sources.
The Leafs most recent trip to a Conference Final was in 2001-2002 against the Carolina Hurricanes. Missing their captain and best player, Mats Sundin, due to injury, a big part of that team's success was the unexpected spike in performance from Alyn McCauley.
John Druce, Fernando Pisani, Bryan Bickell, and Dave Lowry are other league-wide (likely forgotten) names that helped their teams to a Cup final or championship with their surprise performances.
So, who will be the Leafs next iteration of Nikolai Borschevsky, Lonny Bohonos, or Garry Valk? Here are some under-the-radar players that can help them get past the Boston Bruins, and perhaps, go on a long playoff run.
Under-the-Radar Players That Must Help the Toronto Maple Leafs to Postseason Success
Morgan Rielly is the Leafs most important defenceman. He logs the most minutes and has anchored their blue line for years. Repeating his play from last year's playoffs is critical, considering the team's lack of depth on defense.
Coming a close second to Rielly as the most crucial defenseman is Jake McCabe. Someone else needs to play a lot of important minutes while Rielly is not on the ice.
McCabe plays with an edge and a physical nature. He's the closest thing the Leafs have to replace Jake Muzzin and what he brought before injuries sidelined him long-term.
His thunderous, open-ice hits are capable of shifting momentum. They bring life to the Maple Leafs bench while also getting the attention of the opposition.
He also does not turn down a good post-whistle scrum, facewash, or a well-placed slash or cross-check to an opponent. These types of encounters are common to postseason play, especially with Brad Marchand as part of the opposition.
Calle Jarnkrok Gives the Leafs Options
The return of Calle Jarnkrok for the playoffs is a welcome sight for the Leafs, especially if William Nylander is absent from the lineup.
With Bobby McMann's questionable status nursing a lower-body injury, an injection of Jarnkrok into the lineup becomes more important.
Jarnkrok has been out for over a month with a hand injury, so he will require some time to get back into a groove. Intense, playoff hockey is not the optimal time to return from a long absence, but his flexibility can provide a boost for the team.
He is probably best suited to a third-line role, but he can capably fill a void within the top six forwards if needed on a short-term basis.
Should Nylander be able to play (this article was submitted before we knew whether he'd play in game three or not) Jarnkrok could provide some surprise offense and leadership. That helps the two-way play of the third line since Nick Robertson is still prone to critical mistakes that come from a young player.
The other added benefit of having Jarnkrok in the lineup is his ability to kill penalties.
He can be added to a rotation of David Kampf, Mitch Marner, Pontus Holmberg, and Connor Dewar in hopes of finding two reliable, shorthanded duos that can revive the Leafs floundering penalty-killing.
Holmberg's Role is More Prevalent
It wasn't that long ago that Holmberg was not in consideration for a full-time role with the Leafs. It took well into last season for him to make an appearance with the team.
He started this season with the Toronto Marlies.
He and McMann both earned their way to significant roles in the lineup.
Holmberg is now entrenched as the Leafs third-line center. Depth in the playoffs is always necessary for success, especially when the opposition's tight-checking is focused on Matthews, Marner, and Nylander.
Rare is the team that goes deep in the playoffs without a third line that wins their time on the ice. Holmberg handles his defensive responsibilities with aplomb and has shown flashes offensively.
If head coach Sheldon Keefe continues to scatter his star players among three forward lines, Holmberg becomes more relevant.
He will need to be a defensive stalwart but help Nylander and the third member of the line show up on the scoresheet.
Matthew Knies Will Be Key No Matter Where He Plays
Another Leafs player with lineup flexibility is Matthew Knies.
He has played within the top nine forwards for most of the year and played a role on the fourth line near the end of the regular season.
With basically no NHL experience before last season's playoffs, Knies provided a boost of energy and skill to the Leafs lineup before a questionable hit from Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers sidelined him.
Knies has skill, plus size. No matter where he plays in the lineup those attributes are effective.
His size and power will help him navigate the grind of the Stanley Cup playoffs. He can get to the dirty areas to score goals and be effective on the forecheck.
Unheralded Players Will Help Decide the Leafs Postseason Fate
Of course, many of the usual factors will determine the Maple Leafs playoff success. The play of Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Rielly will be vital.
Team defense, excelling on special teams, and goaltending will also play prominent roles, but contributions from lesser lights further down the lineup are needed.
The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to have a long, glorious run in the Stanley Cup playoffs.
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Their star players are most likely to lead the way. Should they succeed, you can bet that they were helped by a few unsung heroes along the way.