Aside from cap-related maneuvers, I think the main change has to be tactical. Getting stymied three series in a row by a team counter punching for a lead and then packing the house for minimal slot chances can’t stop us next season.
The play style is fine for regular season (dominant, even) but in a series with drilled in focus and basically open book scouting, you gotta do something that’s not as stoppable. Nick Paul’s goals and Carolina’s play style ought to be the template for something to layer onto what the Leafs already do:
1) supported rushes with better routes for rebounds.
The Leafs style is hold for better lanes and looks in the slot. Those get taken away first in the playoffs. Look to force rebounds instead and have the off puck players attack in staggered waves at the expected rebound angles. Giving the depth roles to our seasoned prospects should help with this, as footspeed and gumption are key.
2) in PP/OZ setups, forwards should just shoot. Similar to the above, our skill is a standout feature and a tool we should be leveraging to turn chaos into opportunity. More weird shots and surprise angles make goalies work harder, tire sooner. We don’t need highlight reel tic-tac-snipe plays. Goals are goals. Matthews patented catch-n-release wrist bomb weighs the same as a tip off Kämpf’s ass.
3) get more practice being ‘dirty’. Our approach to playoff interference and whatnot is like nerds trying to stand up for themselves for the first time. Holl had the right idea picking for Tavares, but he did it so obviously even I wanted to blow the whistle.
