Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a good enough defensive core to go far in the playoffs?

After a strong defensive performance containing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in a 6-3 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the Toronto Maple Leafs couldn’t find the same magic on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. Despite 25 shots in the first period and 45 in the game, the Leafs struggled to capitalize on their chances, while the few the Devils got were egregious and easy to capitalize on.

With another questionable performance from the Leafs defense, does their defense core have what it takes to win in the postseason, especially against a team like the Boston Bruins or the Florida Panthers? Luke Gazdic joined Daily Faceoff Live to talk about the Leafs defense core, and why he thinks it’s better than some people think.

Luke Gazdic: Well I’m glad you started with the game on Saturday because that was one of the best efforts that I saw from start to finish from them, and especially their defense core. I have rarely seen teams go after Edmonton’s top guys like they did on Saturday night, and it was from the get-go. From the first shift, Morgan Rielly and Joel Edmundson went after Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid relentlessly, and I thought that was a great game plan by them.

The Edmundson pickup here in Toronto wasn’t very well received. I think Ilya Lyubushkin was a popular one, he was a popular player here just because of the simplicity that comes with his game and the physicality that they want on the back end. But I love the Edmundson pickup. There’s another great vet that’s played some good playoff hockey, and man, playing against him was not fun, I’ll tell you that much. Corners and getting boxed out in front by him is not a fun job.

I don’t mind their d-core actually. It obviously has flaws and it hasn’t been the greatest thing for them the whole year. I think it falls on the shoulders of the goaltenders with Toronto. I understand they play a different system in front of them that leans a little more offensively. I think T.J. Brodie’s gotten a lot of flack here this year, but he’s been through a lot. I know he hasn’t played his best hockey, but he’s still a good vet for them.

But they got to get a goaltender hot here. They’re giving Joseph Woll some games. He did not look great last night, let in the first shot of the game again. Good kid, works hard, but he’s got to be better. Ilya Samsonov has played well when he’s been in there. I thought he had a great game on Saturday, even letting in those couple power play goals in the third. Matt Murray’s coming back, Martin Jones stabilized the crease earlier this year. I just would love to see one of these guys, probably Ilya, run away with this in the crease. I think it’ll help make the d-core look a lot better if they can get some saves.

You can watch the full episode here…