HOCKEYPATROL | NHL TEAM | TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS

Insider Reveals why the Toronto Maple Leafs Always win Without Morgan Rielly

PUBLICATION

Dawson Mckenzie
February 22, 2024 (12:12)

SHARE THIS STORY

Morgan Rielly skating past the bench after a Toronto Maple Leafs' goal during a game.

Photo credit: Sportskeeda

The Leafs are on an incredible hot streak, winning their past 5 games without defensive leader Morgan Rielly, and this NHL insider has just suggested why they win without him.

Nick Kypreos Says Leafs Defense is More Disciplined Without Morgan Rielly

The Leafs have responded resoundingly to the suspension of their defensive leader Morgan Rielly, winning all 5 of the games that he was suspended for after his crosscheck in the disappointing loss to the Ottawa Senators. Now, Nick Kypreos has taken to a podcast to suggest that the Toronto Maple Leafs defensive unit plays more disciplined when Rielly is not in the lineup.

Here is what he had to say.

Must read on HockeyPatrol

Mitch Marner accused of hiring security to harass Leafs media

Leafs may have missed out on Stanley Cup Champion Craig Berube

"It's not exactly a small sample size here, it's significant... I think they are more disciplined without Rielly," said Kypreos of the Leafs' blueline without Rielly. "I think it's just the fact that they know who they are back there and they aren't trying to do anything out of the ordinary. No one is trying to be a Morgan Rielly and skate coast-to-coast. You'd think you could convince these guys to be as disciplined (when Rielly is in the lineup).

There is only one green light here and it belongs to Morgan Rielly. I don't know if it's contagious that once one defenseman sees Morgan have a bit a freedom to go behind the net or jump up in the play or pinch that everyone goes along for the ride as well."

The takeaway here could be true, the Leafs' defence knew they had to step up in Rielly's absence, and they did the best way they knew how, as stay-at-home defensemen.

Leafs On the Hunt to Find First Pairing Defenseman for Rielly

What is also clear about the last few games is that the Leafs have the defensive chops to win games, if the pairings can stay the way they have been over the last 5 game stretch. This means that Brad Treliving should go out and acquire a true first-pairing defenseman to play with Rielly, and the Leafs will have a solid foundation on the blueline to help them succeed.

We will see what Brad Treliving can do at the deadline, and how the Leafs will perform tonight against the Golden Knights.

As seen on Maple Leafs Daily - "Insider reveals why the Leafs are so good without Morgan Rielly in the lineup"

Previously on HockeyPatrol

Elliotte Friedman speaks about Erik Karlsson joining Canadian team

Max Domi and Tyler Bertuzzi Step Up to Protect William Nylander After Coyotes Player Shoves Him

Evander Kane caught with embarrassing online side hustle to make extra money

POLL
22 FEVRIER \| 657 ANSWERS Insider Reveals why the Toronto Maple Leafs Always win Without Morgan Rielly Do you think the Leafs will trade for a defenseman?
Yes	515	78.4 %
No	142	21.6 %
List of polls