Maple Leafs Quick Hits: Finding a Pulse After a Wild Week

The Toronto Maple Leafs might have rediscovered something they’ve been missing—a heartbeat. The team’s comeback win against the Pittsburgh Penguins was more than two points in the standings; it was a gut-check moment. Before the third wild period, the Maple Leafs had played two of their worst periods of the season. Somehow, they flipped the script completely.

Quick Hit One: Nylander and Matthews Take Over

It’s one thing to say your stars carried you—it’s another to watch them do it. Auston Matthews lit the spark, but William Nylander stole the show. Nylander potted two goals to tie the game, and he had a hand in the other. He now sits just three points shy of the league scoring lead. Matthews, meanwhile, seems to be heating up again. He’s now scored goals in back-to-back games, and that quiet confidence is returning.

Quick Hit Two: The Stolarz Factor

Lost in the comeback story was Anthony Stolarz. He was as sharp as he could be when the Penguins were rolling. Although his team was losing 3-0, he was making tough saves that kept the game from getting out of hand. He hasn’t been perfect this season, but this might be the start of his steadying stretch. When his team began its pushback in the third period, the huge goalie shut the door completely. Nothing got past him.

Quick Hit Three: Standing Room Only in the East

Here’s the wild part for the Maple Leafs. For as iffy as this season has been, after the Montreal Canadiens’ overtime loss last night, Toronto is only four points out of first place. But they are also just two out of last place. That’s how tight the Eastern Conference is right now. Every win matters, every mistake hurts, and every comeback like this one could shape the playoff picture.

Quick Hit Four: Marlies and the Kampf Question

Down the road, the AHL’s Toronto Marlies are still trying to find themselves. They’re older, thinner up front, and not scoring much. The bright side? The defense looks NHL-ready with guys like William Villeneuve and Dakota Mermis. As for David Kampf, he’s in a tough spot—earning $2.4 million in the minors. Unless he embraces a mentor’s role within the organization, it’s hard to see where he fits.

The Bottom Line for the Maple Leafs

It’s been a rollercoaster of a week for the Maple Leafs, but there’s a pulse again. If Nylander and Matthews keep setting the tone and Stolarz holds steady in the net, this could be the stretch that steadies the season.