The Toronto Maple Leafs host the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, kicking off Game 1 on Sunday (April 20). Finishing in the top spot of the Atlantic Division gives the Maple Leafs home-ice advantage through at least the second round, and the Senators struggled on the road this season (18-19-4). Still, the Maple Leafs will need a total team effort to erase the bitter taste of several early playoff exits.
If Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander aren’t at their best, the team’s hope of having a lengthy playoff run is slim to none. By that same token, the outstanding goaltending the club has benefited from all season, thanks to Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll, will need to continue, too. Team defence and strong play from netminders capable of stealing games are the hallmarks of any team’s success in the playoffs. However, a repeated problem for the Maple Leafs in the organization’s past playoff failures has been the absence of offence and the disappearance of production on the power play.
It’s an old and accurate adage that your best players have to be your best players to flip that script, but they would get a significant boost if other skaters contributed to alleviate some of the pressure. Matthew Knies’ emergence this campaign has elevated him to be an integral contributor as a first-liner, but there are other Maple Leafs capable of stepping up to help get the team over the hump.
Bobby McMann, Left Wing
Bobby McMann will make his NHL playoff debut after missing the final two regular-season games of 2023-24 and all seven playoff contests due to an MCL sprain. During the 2024-25 campaign, he was one of the team’s six 20-goal scorers while seeing playing time in the middle six. He has cooled off down the stretch, in large part due to his ice time decreasing as part of the third line, but his chemistry with Nylander and Tavares spearheaded a few victories this season, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he found himself back in the top six at some point in the playoffs.
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His physicality, straight-line speed, and ability to retrieve pucks on the forecheck make him an ideal fit for talented finishers like Nylander and Tavares. The 28-year-old McMann has also showcased his scoring touch, whether it has come off the rush or around the net. He has the most upside to contribute outside the team’s top five point generators.
Morgan Rielly, Left Defence
Morgan Rielly’s offensive production took a significant hit in 2024-25, but he still reached the 40-point plateau for a fourth straight season. He was better in April, with two multi-point efforts highlighting his point production. Toronto’s acquisition of Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins ahead of the trade deadline should be beneficial in the postseason, especially if it leads to the duo spending fewer minutes in the defensive end and more time attacking in the offensive zone.
Rielly is at his best when jumping into the rush and directing pucks toward the net from the point. He doesn’t have a cannon for a shot but gets it through traffic frequently for rebounds or tip opportunities. The 31-year-old rearguard has been active offensively in the postseason before, compiling an impressive 11 goals and 40 points across 57 appearances. He was dynamic in 2023 when he notched four goals and 12 points in 11 outings. The potential to be a difference-maker offensively from the blue line remains intact if he can step up again when it matters the most.
Max Domi, Centre/Left Wing
Max Domi has been disappointing offensively in 2024-25 while contributing in spurts during the campaign. He won’t reach the 40-point mark for the fourth time, and lengthy goalless droughts have become a common theme. He hasn’t been reliable offensively, but there was a glimmer of hope down the stretch.
After being promoted to a line with Nylander and Tavares, Domi had two primary helpers in Sunday’s (April 13) 4-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes and had chances to contribute in Tuesday’s (April 15) 4-0 victory against the Buffalo Sabres. He had one goal and three helpers in seven playoff games for the Maple Leafs in 2024, giving him four tallies and 17 points in his last 22 postseason appearances. Keeping his emotions in check will be crucial, but his intensity could be advantageous if it blends with his playmaking ability.
Nicholas Robertson, Left Wing/Right Wing
Nicholas Robertson has struggled with consistency this season while occupying a bottom-six role and coming out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. However, he generally made the most of his chances despite logging limited ice time. He had the fourth-highest 5-on-5 goals per 60 minutes on the team behind Knies, Nylander, and Tavares.
Despite receiving praise for his high-compete level and scoring, Robertson could be in the press box if Max Pacioretty and David Kampf are available for Game 1 versus the Senators. The 23-year-old Robertson didn’t hit the scoresheet in six outings during the 2024 Playoffs, and he scored one goal in four appearances in the 2020 Postseason. Still, on a team that often stumbles offensively in the spring, his ability to find the back of the net could be valuable.
Max Pacioretty, Left Wing
Pacioretty hasn’t played since Feb. 8 against the Vancouver Canucks due to an undisclosed injury. However, he will likely be an option for the beginning of the playoffs. He has been skating regularly down the stretch, but conditioning and timing could be factors if he’s activated from long-term injured reserve before Game 1.
If he jumps back into the lineup, Robertson is the likeliest candidate to lose his spot, though Calle Jarnkrok or Pontus Holmberg could be possibilities to sit. The 36-year-old Pacioretty has 25 goals and 50 points in 78 playoff outings. He isn’t the point producer he once was, but he can still chip in offensively and would provide the Maple Leafs with a physical, veteran presence in the bottom six.
Maple Leafs Need Offence to Click
Toronto has struggled to score in the playoffs under the current administration. The team’s success in 2025 will ultimately be determined by the performances of the stars and goaltenders, but several other members of the group are capable of lightening the burden. If the Maple Leafs receive contributions up and down the lineup, which has happened occasionally this campaign, it could be a memorable postseason run for the right reasons.
