"During the previous couple of seasons, the Leafs penalty kill had actually been one of their Achilles heel. In 2023-24, Toronto ranked 23rd in the league with just a 76.9% success rate. While in 2024-25, they were just slightly better in 17th with a 77.9% success rate. Considering that the Maple Leafs were led by the electric Mitch Marner in the department, one would have expected numbers to be above 80% on a regular basis."
"However, for this current season, their strong special teams play with a man short has been at another level. Halfway through the 2025-26 NHL campaign, the Maple Leafs sit comfortably in third place in the entire league with an 84.1% success rate. That is their best mark in over a decade since posting an unbelievable 87.9% rate back during the 2012-13 season."
The Toronto Maple Leafs struggled across offense, defense, goaltending, and a poor power play during the first half of 2025-26. The penalty kill, however, improved dramatically from 76.9% in 2023-24 and 77.9% in 2024-25 to an 84.1% success rate midseason, ranking third in the NHL and the best since 2012-13. Forwards, defensemen, and netminders limited quality chances, cleared pucks effectively, and executed tight coverage. Key contributors included Nicolas Roy, Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, Matthew Knies, Jake McCabe, Simon Benoit, Troy Stecher, Brandon Carlo, Auston Matthews, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby. The elite penalty kill helped offset a weak power play and kept the team in the playoff hunt.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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