The key reason Toronto still has a real shot at making the postseason

Through the first quarter of the NHL schedule, the Toronto Maple Leafs have emerged as one of the league’s most underwhelming teams.

A wave of injuries to core players has battered the lineup. Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Anthony Stolarz, Chris Tanev, Scott Laughton, Steven Lorentz, and Brandon Carlo have all missed stretches of action, while Nicolas Roy and Matthew Knies were sidelined for the latest matchup against the St. Louis Blues. Although the constant absences have undoubtedly contributed to their sluggish start, Toronto’s issues run deeper.

Defensive breakdowns, shaky goaltending, and inconsistent execution have plagued them across their opening twenty games. Their general manager even went public with concerns, calling out the group’s energy and work rate, and suggesting there was a “disconnect” within the room.

Still, despite the rocky opening months and their slip in the Eastern Conference standings, there remains a significant reason the Maple Leafs are far from out of the race.

Why Toronto can still work their way back

The Eastern Conference — and the Atlantic Division in particular — is marked by remarkable parity. The Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils currently sit atop the conference with matching 13-5-1 records, good for 27 points and a .711 points percentage. Behind them, the Pittsburgh Penguins hold the third-best points percentage at .632 — a team many analysts believed would miss the postseason altogether.