Maple Leafs just killing it when one of them heads to the penalty box
You will recall that the penalty kill was a sore point in what turned out to be Sheldon Keefe’s last season as Leafs coach, finishing 23rd in 2023-24 with a success rate of 76.9%.
On a night when the Maple Leafs finally found their rhythm with a power play, scoring three times against Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman and securing a decisive 4-0 victory at Scotiabank Arena, their penalty killers also put on a reliable performance.
Last season, the Leafs' penalty kill had been a weak point, finishing 23rd in the league with a success rate of 76.9%. This season, however, with associate coach Lane Lambert guiding the penalty kill unit, the Leafs didn’t concede a goal in six Bruins power plays, boosting their overall penalty kill success to 86% over 14 games, ranking them seventh in the NHL as of Tuesday night.
“We know the game plan out there, but it’s also about reading, reacting, and trusting each other’s positioning,” said winger Mitch Marner after the shutout win. “We’ve been clearing the puck, supporting each other in battles, and getting it out cleanly. It’s been great, and we need to keep it going.”
While coach Craig Berube aims to reduce the Leafs’ discipline issues, Toronto still faces a high number of penalties, with 57 instances of being shorthanded—second only to Boston’s 63. Despite the absence of captain Auston Matthews, who is out with an upper-body injury, David Kampf took on a key role in the penalty kill, logging over seven minutes of shorthanded play. Marner, defensemen Jake McCabe, and Chris Tanev also contributed significant minutes. Goalie Anthony Stolarz provided critical saves, earning his first shutout with Toronto and ninth of his NHL career, leaving some to wonder why he hasn’t yet secured a full-time starter role.
Regarding Kampf’s recent performance on the penalty kill, Berube noted, “He has been really good for a while now. He’s strong at the faceoff dot and understands our penalty kill triggers. He’s really embraced the role and is doing a great job.”
Defenseman Morgan Rielly also praised Kampf, saying, “His role is challenging, especially going up against top players and keeping them off the scoresheet. He’s outstanding defensively and strong in the faceoff circle. There’s a lot of value in what he brings.”
During the summer, Berube added Lambert to the coaching staff, based on a recommendation from Nashville Predators GM Barry Trotz, who had worked with Lambert at the Predators, Capitals, and Islanders. “Trotzie and I discussed it, and he thought Lambert would be a great fit,” said Berube. “I heard only good things about him, and they’re all true. He’s detailed, intelligent, and a great addition to our staff.”
As the team looks ahead to the playoffs, where a balanced mix of skill, grit, and strong special teams will be crucial, the Maple Leafs' power play is finding form, and their penalty killers are showing steady improvement.
