The Toronto Maple Leafs Power Play Struggles in 2025-26

The Toronto Maple Leafs entered the 2025-26 season with championship aspirations and a revamped roster built to complement new head coach Craig Berube’s hard-nosed style. Instead, the team has stumbled through the opening quarter of the campaign, sitting on the playoff bubble with an underwhelming record. While the forward group continues to produce offensively, one glaring weakness has emerged as a major concern: their power play has collapsed from elite to nearly ineffective.

What was once a top-10 special teams unit has plummeted to the bottom of the league standings, converting at a meager rate that has forced coaching staff to experiment with personnel, strategies, and even their quarterback on the blue line. The Toronto Maple Leafs power play struggles 2025-26 season have become a microcosm of the team’s broader inconsistencies, raising questions about execution, coaching adjustments, and whether this group can rediscover the lethal efficiency that defined their man-advantage in previous years.

How the Toronto Maple Leafs power play struggles 2025-26 season unfolded

Through the first 16 games of the season, Toronto’s power play sits tied for 30th in the NHL with a conversion rate of just 12.1 percent. That represents a shocking regression from last season’s 24.8 percent efficiency, which ranked among the league’s best. The Leafs have gone from scoring on nearly one out of every four power plays to barely connecting once every eight opportunities.

The underlying numbers tell a slightly more optimistic story, with Toronto’s expected goals and possession metrics suggesting they should be performing closer to league average. However, a shooting percentage that has cratered from 17.4 percent to 11.29 percent reveals the harsh reality: the puck simply isn’t going in. With elite talent like Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies on the ice, such offensive futility seems almost inexplicable.

The struggles have become so pronounced that Berube publicly acknowledged the need for change. “It’s just a different look,” he said when explaining personnel adjustments. “We’re just trying to get something that works here—we’re trying to get some stability. We’re going to keep banging away at it to get it to work.” The coach’s frustration was palpable, reflecting a staff searching for answers amid mounting pressure.

Perhaps most concerning is that these issues aren’t entirely new. The Maple Leafs have long struggled with power play execution in crucial moments, particularly in playoff situations where their inability to capitalize on man advantages has proven costly. What makes 2025-26 different is the severity and persistence of the problem, which has bled into their regular-season performance and threatened to derail their playoff positioning entirely.

The personnel shuffle: swapping quarterbacks on the blue line

In a significant tactical adjustment, the Maple Leafs moved veteran defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson to quarterback the top power play unit, displacing Morgan Rielly who had held that role. The change came after repeated failed attempts to generate sustained pressure and quality scoring chances with the original configuration. Ekman-Larsson now directs traffic alongside Matthews, Tavares, Nylander, and Knies, while Rielly has been reassigned to the second unit.

The decision to demote Rielly carries particular significance given his status as Toronto’s longest-tenured player and a consistent offensive contributor from the blue line. Much of the early-season discourse centered on getting Rielly going offensively, making his demotion a clear signal that results matter more than reputation. Tavares offered a diplomatic assessment of the switch, praising Ekman-Larsson’s ability to “handle the puck so, so, so well” and noting his “ability to deliver pucks through lanes.”

Ekman-Larsson briefly quarterbacked Toronto’s power play last season before the team ultimately moved to a five-forward setup featuring the now-departed Mitch Marner playing up top. The veteran defenseman expressed eagerness to contribute more on special teams during training camp, and this promotion gives him that opportunity. His slap shot and ability to find shooting lanes through traffic represent different weapons than Rielly brings, potentially offering the change in dynamics the struggling unit desperately needs.

The second unit also saw adjustments, with Nicolas Roy debuting as the net-front presence alongside Matias Maccelli, Nick Robertson, Max Domi, and Rielly. Roy’s addition provides a different physical element in front of opposing goaltenders, though the second unit’s limited ice time makes it difficult to generate consistent rhythm. The constant lineup shuffling reflects a coaching staff willing to experiment but also reveals uncertainty about the optimal formula for success.

Breaking down the Toronto Maple Leafs power play struggles 2025-26 season: tactical failures

The problems plaguing Toronto’s power play extend far beyond personnel decisions. At the root of their struggles lies a series of tactical breakdowns that have rendered their man advantage predictable and ineffective. First and foremost, the Maple Leafs continue to struggle mightily with zone entries—a persistent issue that hampered them in last spring’s playoffs and has only worsened this season.

Rather than entering the offensive zone with speed and momentum, Toronto consistently opts for controlled entries that allow penalty killers to establish defensive position. The result is a static, predictable attack that forces the Leafs to reset repeatedly or settle for perimeter shots against a loaded box. According to The Athletic, the team’s 26th-ranked power play is contributing to an overall defensive malaise that has seen them plummet to 31st in goals against per game.

Once in the zone, the Maple Leafs spend too much time searching for the perfect play rather than overwhelming goaltenders with shot volume. Their 62 shots on goal with the man advantage rank 26th in the league—an unacceptable total for a team boasting multiple elite shooters. Matthews and Nylander, in particular, should be unleashing far more shots instead of passing up quality opportunities in pursuit of highlight-reel goals.

The overemphasis on east-west puck movement has made Toronto’s power play easy to defend. Opposing penalty killers can aggressively pressure passing lanes, knowing the Leafs rarely crash the net or generate second-chance opportunities. This perimeter-oriented approach becomes especially problematic when the initial shot doesn’t generate a rebound or when the puck gets tied up along the boards. Without sustained pressure in the high-danger areas, even Toronto’s most talented forwards struggle to produce.

The missing element: Mitch Marner’s departure and the ripple effects

While it’s tempting to attribute Toronto’s power play collapse solely to Mitch Marner’s offseason departure, the reality is more complex. Marner’s elite vision, playmaking ability, and chemistry with Matthews certainly provided a dynamic the current roster lacks. His ability to operate as the quarterback in a five-forward configuration offered a unique wrinkle that kept penalty killers guessing and created seams for shooters.

However, the Maple Leafs still possess ample talent to run an effective power play. Matthews remains one of the league’s premier goal scorers, equally dangerous from his office in the left circle or when crashing the net. Nylander’s release and ability to score from distance should terrify opposing goaltenders. Tavares continues to excel as a net-front presence, using his size and hockey IQ to create deflections and screens. Knies adds a physical dimension and willingness to battle for loose pucks.

The issue isn’t the absence of a single player but rather the failure to establish a cohesive system that maximizes these weapons. Marner’s departure should have prompted a philosophical reset—an opportunity to build a power play around Matthews’ shooting and Nylander’s creativity. Instead, Toronto seems caught between competing identities, unable to commit fully to any particular approach. The result is a disjointed unit that looks uncomfortable regardless of personnel.

The Hockey Writers noted that with the skill Toronto possesses, the power play being “so uninspiring and lifeless” represents a coaching challenge as much as a personnel problem. The staff must find ways to simplify the structure, create better entries, and generate more quality looks before this weakness becomes a season-defining liability.

Coaching under the microscope: Berube’s system and special teams philosophy

Craig Berube arrived in Toronto with a reputation as a no-nonsense coach who demands accountability and emphasizes defensive responsibility. His Blues teams were known for their grinding, physical style—qualities the Maple Leafs hoped to adopt after years of playoff disappointments. However, the early returns suggest a significant mismatch between Berube’s preferred approach and the roster’s strengths, particularly on special teams.

The combination of struggling power play production and a defense that has regressed dramatically from last season places considerable pressure on Berube and his staff. Assistant coach Derek Lalonde took over defensive responsibilities from Lane Lambert, who had successfully guided Toronto to a top-10 ranking in goals against during the previous campaign. The contrast has been stark, with the Leafs now sitting 31st in the league at 3.75 goals against per game.

On the power play specifically, questions persist about whether the coaching staff has adequately adapted to the personnel changes. The decision to experiment with Ekman-Larsson as the quarterback suggests a willingness to adjust, but it remains unclear whether the broader strategic approach has evolved. Simply swapping players while maintaining the same zone entry patterns and offensive structure may prove insufficient to generate meaningful improvement.

Berube’s growing frustration became evident in recent comments to media. After particularly disappointing performances, he didn’t mince words about the team’s lack of execution and consistency. The mounting pressure will only intensify if the power play continues to languish while the team fights for playoff positioning. For a coach tasked with elevating Toronto’s performance in crucial moments, fixing special teams must become a top priority.

Comparing struggles across the league: similar power play collapses in 2025-26

Toronto isn’t alone in experiencing dramatic power play regression this season. The New York Rangers have endured a similar collapse from elite to ineffective, falling from one of the league’s most dangerous units to a middling performer struggling with many of the same issues plaguing the Maple Leafs. These parallel declines raise broader questions about league-wide trends in penalty killing and whether coaching strategies have failed to keep pace.

Several factors may be contributing to the widespread power play struggles. Penalty killers have become more aggressive in pressuring puck carriers at the blue line, forcing rushed decisions on zone entries. Teams are also employing more sophisticated box structures that eliminate shooting lanes from traditional scoring areas. The emphasis on shot blocking and calculated risk-taking has made it harder for power play units to generate clean looks from high-danger areas.

For Toronto specifically, the decline feels particularly acute because of the talent on hand and the organization’s championship window. The Maple Leafs cannot afford to waste elite offensive seasons from Matthews, Nylander, and Tavares by failing to capitalize on power play opportunities. In tight games—especially playoff matchups—special teams often determine outcomes. A bottom-five power play will severely limit Toronto’s chances of advancing deep into the postseason.

The good news is that underlying metrics suggest room for positive regression. Toronto’s expected goals and possession numbers indicate they’re generating better chances than their conversion rate would suggest. Sometimes shooting percentage variance evens out over the course of a full season. However, that regression won’t happen automatically—it requires continued adjustments, better execution, and potentially more personnel experimentation to find the right combinations.

Path forward: solutions for resurrecting the Toronto Maple Leafs power play

Fixing the Toronto Maple Leafs power play struggles 2025-26 season requires both immediate tactical adjustments and a willingness to fundamentally rethink their approach. The most pressing need is improving zone entries. Toronto must commit to gaining the blue line with speed, forcing penalty killers to retreat rather than establishing position. This might mean simplifying the entry strategy—direct chip-and-chase plays that allow the team’s talented forwards to win races and establish possession.

Once in the zone, the Leafs need to prioritize shot volume over perfect execution. Matthews and Nylander should be green-lighted to fire from anywhere in the offensive zone, creating chaos and generating rebound opportunities. Tavares must become more aggressive at the net front, using his body to screen goaltenders and cash in on second chances. The team should track “offensive zone time” as a key metric, recognizing that sustained pressure eventually breaks down even the most disciplined penalty kills.

The Ekman-Larsson experiment deserves a legitimate opportunity to succeed. His different skill set—particularly his ability to deliver the puck through traffic—could unlock new possibilities if the forwards commit to getting open in shooting positions. However, if the change doesn’t yield results within the next 10-15 games, the coaching staff may need to consider more radical alternatives, including returning to a five-forward configuration or exploring entirely different personnel groupings.

Finally, Toronto must address the mental aspect of their power play woes. Confidence is fragile, and repeated failures can create a self-fulfilling prophecy where players hesitate, second-guess decisions, or force plays. Berube and his staff need to find ways to simplify the gameplan, celebrate small victories (even power plays that don’t score but generate quality chances), and restore belief in the process. Sometimes the path out of a slump requires as much psychological reset as tactical adjustment.

The Toronto Maple Leafs power play struggles 2025-26 season have become a significant obstacle to the team’s championship aspirations. With ample talent still on the roster and a coaching staff willing to experiment, the potential exists for dramatic improvement. However, that turnaround requires commitment to better habits, simplified systems, and the patience to let adjustments take root. The clock is ticking on Toronto’s season, and fixing their power play may ultimately determine whether they emerge as legitimate contenders or suffer another disappointing campaign.