Why Maple Leafs feel more authentic during this winning streak

Productive additions to the top six and a bottom half-dozen are playing right to their job description in four consecutive Toronto wins

Published Oct 25, 2026  •  4 minute read

Edmonton Oilers' Zach Hyman reaches for the puck alongside Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz and Jake McCabe during the first period on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026 in Edmonton. Photo by GREG SOUTHAM /POSTMEDIA NEWS

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After a 7-2 win over the NHL’s hottest starting team, Toronto’s fourth straight, in a road barn where loud visiting fans celebrated within earshot, Anthony Stolarz allowed himself to get a bit giddy. 

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“An exciting time to be a Maple Leaf,” the goaltender told media in Edmonton after passing what can be described as the team’s biggest test of 13 games so far. “We have a great group, the vibes are great, we have an influx of kids (Easton Cowan and Gavin McKenna) who have a lot of energy and are bringing out the best in everyone. 

“This was probably our most complete game of the year. I hope it sets the standard for us going forward.” 

Why is this Leafs streak different than others?  

Stolarz has to stay on the cautious side because looks can be deceiving, especially in October. Toronto is still just a game over .500 at 7-4-2 and nine points separated 14 teams in the Eastern Conference on Sunday afternoon. What’s different here, on a team that missed the playoffs last year, is the new blood coursing through the dressing room and off the ice. 

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Not just the kids that Stolarz mentioned, but productive additions to the top six and a bottom half-dozen playing right to their job description. 

“It feels like we’re building a team,” captain Auston Matthews told Sportsnet. “It’s not just one, two lines a night, you need everybody on board.” 

Impatient fans would wonder what took so long to grasp that concept, but as incoming coach, Jim Hiller can only delve into fresh evidence, such as the past two games where four pluggers all notched their first Leaf goals; Teddy Blueger and Brandon Duhaime against the New York Rangers at home, Zach MacEwen and Vinni Lettieri in Edmonton.  

That’s on top of light-scoring defenceman Troy Stecher supplying the game winner back-to-back after Marshall Rifai and Nick Blankenburg authored unlikely goals before both were hurt. Stecher became just the seventh Toronto blueliner in franchise history with that double GWG stat.   

“That to me says something about your team,” Hiller praised of spreading the scoring. “It says you have depth. It says it’s not just Matthews, (William) Nylander and (John) Tavares. It’s going through the lineup and that gives you a chance to win every night. 

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“As much as I’m happy for those (lesser lights), I’m happy for the team that there are other guys there to support.” 

What challenges do the Calgary Flames present? 

Complacency could be the Leafs biggest issue heading into Calgary on Monday as the four-game trip unfolds. The Flames, after dropping six of their first seven, have won three straight, allowing just four goals, including 3-2 against Stanley Cup champion Carolina. Devin Cooley has fashioned a .912 save percentage as part of that streak. Toronto had an optional practice Sunday at the Saddledome before its last game at the 43-year-old rink before the Flames move to new Scotia Place next season.  

Behind the Flames await the Seattle Kraken and on Halloween, the Vancouver Canucks. This is the long trip that general manager John Chayka eyeballed in September as critical to the season’s first quarter as success would set the Leafs up for six straight home dates in November. 

How have Cowan and McKenna found a comfort zone?

While it was teased about No. 1 pick McKenna that “half of Whitehorse” would come to watch his only games near the Yukon Territory this week, he’s not seeing quite as much ice time as his first few games as a second liner. At 5-on-5 with centre Colton Sissons and Lettieri, plus power-play duty, he’s been between 11 minutes and just under 13 of late, yet getting a point or two and no longer a front burner story when he sits for a spell. 

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That’s in part because second-year winger Cowan is getting the lion’s share of attention on Matthews’s left side with Jack Roslovic. After opening the scoring against the Rangers, Cowan should have got an assist on Roslovic’s ice breaker in Edmonton, except for a bizarre own-goal bounce, before he set Matthews up to make it 2-0. 

Though McKenna’s profile naturally received early attention around the league, Hiller rewarded Cowan for a body of work going back to his rookie season, a Calder Cup with the Marlies and willingness to take on any menial task at training camp. That eventually landed him on the Leafs’ No. 1 unit. 

“You never want to put a ceiling on it,” Hiller said when asked if he thought Cowan’s promotion would work as it has. “You want it to go well and I think we’re seeing what ‘well’ looks like. 

“He’s a talented player, we knew that, but he’s been consistent, making plays and for the most part he’s cleaned up the turnovers on the plays we don’t like.” 

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