Could the NHL be in for a surprise this season? It’s been nearly half a century since the Toronto Maple Leafs last won the Stanley Cup.
Back in 1967, they upset favorites the Montreal Canadiens, with Jim Pappin scoring the series winner in game 6.
Going way back to 1942, the Leafs bounced back from 3 games down to win the Cup. Last season, the Maple Leafs lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Boston Bruins.
But this year the team has an outstanding record in the Atlantic Division.
The Maple Leafs are on 42 points as of 19 December, with 20 wins from 32 games. Mitch Marner has posted 42 points with 32 assists, and William Nylander leads the goals tally with 20.
Who are favorites for the Stanley Cup?
The odds suggest the favorites are Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers, with Dallas Stars, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche not too far behind.
The Maple Leafs are seventh favorites according to one sportsbook.
The Florida Panthers have an almost identical record to the Leafs, having played a game extra (drawing 11). Sam Reinhart leads their scoring and assist charts with 20 goals and 22 assists.
The Caroline Hurricanes are only third in the Metropolitan division as it stands, having played 31 and winning 20.
Their goals have been quite evenly spread, with Martin Necas (14), Jack Roslovic (13), and Andrei Svechnikov (12) leading the way.
Last season, the Hurricanes lost in the second round of the playoffs, falling 2-4 to the Ne w York Rangers (who also beat them at the same stage in 2022).
When are the playoffs?
The regular season ends Thursday April 17, 2025. The playoffs are likely to start Saturday April 19.
Will the Maple Leafs definitely make the playoffs?
They are certainly well positioned, sitting top of the Atlantic division. The top three teams from both divisions, plus two wildcard teams, make the playoffs.
In November, the Leafs announced the signing of forward Alex Nylander on a one-year contract. Nylander had posted 12 points in 14 games with the Toronto Marlies.
What are some of the Leafs’ greatest moments?
The Maple Leafs had a few moments ranking among Yardbarker’s greatest NHL moments in history. The ’42 Stanley Cup win was up there.
Another moment was Game 6 of the 1964 Stanley Cup Final, when defenseman Bob Baun broke his leg – but continued playing. He even scored a goal.
From 1983 to 2003, Doug Gilmour enjoyed an amazing run of 1,414 points in 1,474 games. He played for seven teams in the NHL, and was with the Leafs from January 1992 to 1997. Gilmour was one of the team’s most popular players.
In 1994, Mike Gartner scored an overtime goal for the Leafs in Game 6 in the Cup Final.
In 2017, on the 100th anniversary of the NHL, Maple Leafs great Dave Keon made the list of 100 greatest players in NHL history. Keon won four Stanley Cups with the club.
In 2025, the Leafs will be hoping there’s a few more names to join Keon on their list of legends.
