The Leafs went a perfect 6-for-6 on the penalty kill against the Bruins on Tuesday.
The Toronto Maple Leafs have had ample time to hone their penalty kill through the first 14 games, and it appears they’ve found a reliable formula.
In their 4-0 win against the Boston Bruins on Tuesday, the Leafs successfully killed off all six shorthanded situations, boosting their penalty kill to an impressive 86 percent, ranking them sixth in the NHL.
Following a coaching staff overhaul, the Leafs parted ways with assistant Dean Chynoweth and appointed Lane Lambert as an associate coach. Lambert, who brings years of penalty-killing expertise, is now running the Leafs’ PK unit.
So what’s behind this newfound success?
"I think we know the plan," said Mitch Marner, "but at the same time, it’s just us reading and reacting off of it and trusting each other where we’re going to be. I think we’ve done a great job of clearing the pucks 200 feet, supporting one another in battles, getting the puck out cleanly. Yeah, it’s been great."
Toronto's penalty kill is also excelling at limiting shots on net. The Leafs are eighth in the NHL in blocked shots (228), thanks in part to the addition of Chris Tanev, who signed a six-year, $27 million contract with Toronto this past summer, who leads the NHL with 48 blocks.
"It definitely helps when guys are willing to commit and block shots. Look at Taney, Caber (Jake McCabe), the guys up top, Mitch—it’s huge when guys block shots because they obviously have one more guy and there’s a lot of traffic. I just think the commitment to each other and wanting to kill the penalty for that guy," Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz said.
Lambert’s hiring marked the first time Toronto brought in an associate coach, with head coach Craig Berube explaining how the decision was made.
“He’s been a very good coach for a long time, especially from working with Barry Trotz,” Berube shared. “Trotzie and I discussed it, and he thought Lane would be a great fit. Everything I’ve heard about him as a coach and a person has been true.”
Lambert previously served as an assistant under Trotz with the Nashville Predators and Washington Capitals, where he won a Stanley Cup in 2018, and most recently with the New York Islanders. His penalty-killing expertise is widely respected, with his teams consistently finishing in the league’s top third in penalty-kill efficiency—a strength he carried through his time as head coach with the Islanders.
With a revitalized PK under Lambert's direction, the Leafs have found steady footing this season, balancing a now-improved power play with a defensive structure that stifles opponents and generates confidence across the lineup.
