The Leafs went 0-for-2 on the power play while surrendering two goals on the penalty kill to the Jets.
The Toronto Maple Leafs handed the Winnipeg Jets their first loss of the 2024-25 season with a 6-4 victory on Monday but once again, special teams remained a glaring issue. Despite the win, Toronto’s power play failed to convert, and the penalty kill surrendered two goals on four opportunities.
New Power Play Shows Potential, But No Goals to Show For It
Heading into Monday’s matchup against the Jets, head coach Craig Berube and the Leafs’ personnel decided to shake up their power play units. On the first unit, the Leafs had Morgan Rielly, Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, and Matthew Knies. On the second unit, the Leafs combined Oliver Ekman-Larsson, William Nylander, Max Domi, Bobby McMann, and John Tavares.
The Leafs’ power play finished the night 0-for-2, adding to their early-season struggles with the man advantage. After Monday’s game, the Maple Leafs are now 3-for-32 through 10 games. However, Berube found positives despite the lack of scoring.
“I thought it was really good. I really liked what I saw by both units. Went downhill, they shot, recovered, attacked right away. It didn't go in, but, I thought that they looked good to me.”
When looking at their previous four games, the Leafs were a combined 0-for-12 with little to no connection on the man advantage leading up to the game against the Jets. Max Pacioretty and John Tavares agreed that there was more of a willingness to get pucks on the net and a collective drive offensively against the Jets.
“We were shooting the puck… I think it was a good start. But, you know, we'll see how it plays out," said Pacioretty before Tavares added, “Overall, I think both groups did some good things. And, you know, obviously, I think like the rest of our game, we just had more jump. The pace was a lot better in just the way we were moving and moving the puck.”
Despite going scoreless when on the man advantage, the Leafs seem to have optimism about the power play’s progress, suggesting it’s only a matter of time. “I think we're definitely getting opportunities. We're getting pucks on net. I think it's just bound to fall, and I'm sure it will here shortly,” said Matthew Knies post-game.
Lack of Discipline Leads to Penalty Kill Woes
On the other side of special teams, the penalty kill had a difficult night, surrendering two goals to Winnipeg’s dangerous first-ranked power-play unit, which had operated at 43.5% through eight games prior to their meeting with Toronto. Over their last five games, the Leafs have taken 21 penalties, allowing five goals and four in their previous three contests.
Berube emphasized the need for more discipline moving forward.
“Penalties got us in trouble. We've got to do a better job there of not taking them, but also getting the kills.”
Pacioretty echoed Berube’s concerns, pointing to Winnipeg’s effectiveness with the man advantage. The Leafs had the Jets on the ropes, leading the game 4-0 in the second period before conceding two power-play goals to Kyle Connor – essentially keeping the game closer than it should have been.
“Well, every goal (for Winnipeg) was set in some sort of man-on-advantage, like 6-on-5, or with a delayed penalty. So, you know, we knew we got to stay out of the box. And I think they're the top in the league there with a man-on-advantage for a reason.”
Looking forward, the Leafs will resume action at Scotiabank Arena on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Between now and then, the club will continue to work through lingering issues on special teams. As Knies suggested, they believe their luck will turn sooner rather than later – but it’s clear these weaknesses could prove costly against stronger opponents down the line as it did against the Jets on Monday.