The Toronto Maple Leafs have had a solid season so far. They're contending for first in the division and the NHL, and have done it all while rarely using a fully healthy lineup.
I truly think this Toronto Maple Leafs team is the best in the Matthews era, and I'm excited about the rest of the year.
That said, I don't think there is a flawless team in the National Hockey League this year. A couple of spots are holding the Leafs back from making a real playoff run for the first time in the Matthews era.
There is time for Treliving to address some of these issues, and I'm hoping he makes moves by the time the trade deadline passes.
What is holding the Leafs back?
Lack of scoring
At the time I'm writing this, the Leafs currently sit 18th in the league in expected goals for. Last year the Leafs finished sixth in the league in the same category (according to Moneypuck.com). This shows the Leafs struggle to generate high-danger scoring chances in comparison to last year.
Now there could be many reasons for this. The fact that Auston Matthews has missed so much of the season affects this but one of the biggest reasons I think is the change in style. Under Berube, the Leafs have changed from a team that gets most of their offence off the rush to more of a dump-and-chase, forechecking team.
Generally, teams with more of a rush offensive style take more risks, but those teams also tend to have puck more, which is a positive, but they also end up giving up more high-danger chances, which isn't. The Leafs have done well to limit the goals against this season. Part of that is the elite-level goaltending they have got this year, but they've also gotten better defensively, sitting 11th in the league in expected goals against. Last season they finished 26th in that category (according to Moneypuck.com).
As much as I think this style of hockey is a better fit for playoff hockey, they do need to score more if they're going to make a deep run. A lot of people focus on the defense in the playoffs for the Leafs as an issue, but the real issue when the playoffs roll around is the fact they can't score late in the playoff series.
Treliving needs to acquire at least a third-line centre who has scoring ability to bolster this roster.