Nov 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube watches the play against the Utah Mammoth during the third period at Scotiabank Arena.

Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs are changing up their power play after a very disappointing start to the 2025-26 Season for their group.

Currently, the Toronto Maple Leafs rank third last in the NHL on the power play, with a disappointing 12.1% success on the season, and with the Leafs showcasing their ability to generate offense in even strength, more is hoped that can come from the Leafs on the man advantage.

Toronto has been succeeding in their even strength game, but can’t get things going when having the PP advantage, something that is coming at a confusion to the Leafs.

Last season, Toronto was 8th on the power play with a 24.8% success rate. With the Leafs struggling to get offense on the advantage, Toronto is changing up their structure with a new look.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are putting faith in Oliver Ekman-Larsson on the team’s power play, with John Tavares being a big believer in the defenseman on the top unit.

Tavares said that Ekman-Larsson is a strong fit on top of the Leafs power play as their leader, citing his puckhandling skill and his awareness of the play that brings value to Toronto’s offense.Morgan Rielly has been the quarterback of the power play from defense, but has been swapped with Ekman-Larsson, debuting last night against the Utah Mammoth on the top power play unit, Rielly is now on the second pair.

The decision to swap Ekman-Larsson and Rielly isn’t just a move to spark the offense, it’s also a way for Toronto to kickstart their power play and have someone who can build the Leafs chances in transition.

Toronto’s Power Play Numbers Paint a Different Picture

The Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to find their power play offense, with only five players have scored this season while on the man advantage, Ekman-Larsson, Tavares, Nylander, & Knies with two points, and Matthews with one.

It’s not just defense that has been tinkered with. Easton Cowan and Max Domi were tried on the first unit to add balance for special teams, but ultimately what has worked best is the top players all on one unit together.Mitch Marner led the Leafs in power play points with 33, with the rest of the team needing to make up that number with Marner gone. Matthew Knies has taken over on the top unit, but like the rest of the team hasn’t found his scoring touch there.

It’s hard to say Marner was the reason for their success last season, and lack thereof this season, Toronto still has a very capable group of players, but haven’t been able to find the back of the net, but it may not be a lack of scoring chances causing the problem.

Toronto has struggled to get shots on the power play, 24th in shot attempts on 5-on-4 according to MoneyPuck, and last in goals scored with four. Away from the stat sheet, the Leafs have struggled moving the puck in transition. Almost inexcusable for a top team offensively like Toronto.

For the Toronto Maple Leafs to get better on the power play, they’ll need to be better at moving the puck and getting into scoring situations, otherwise whatever changes they make will keep being for nothing.

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