Why this year's playoff run will be different than the rest for the Leafs

Well, something tells me we're going to have a very different outcome this year. Yes, the core of the team is still the same, with the team being built around Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, William Nylander and Morgan Rielly, but the way the team has augmented this core with an excellent goaltending tandem, responsible two-way forwards like Calle Jarnkrok, David Kampf and the rookie Pontus Holmberg and an abundance of defensemen who are capable of stepping in and helping the team win games against tough opponents like Boston, New Jersey, Tampa, Dallas and Pittsburgh, the water doesn't look nearly as murky as we approach the midway point of this season.

There's a quiet calm and confidence to this year's team that simply hasn't been there in the past. They're holding leads, they're shutting really good teams down and they're surging when they need to surge when down early to complete comebacks and rack up points. Above all else, they're playing well and with real consistency.

One of the biggest areas of improvement this year is the blueline depth. The Buds have utilized 12 defensemen so far this season and have looked good regardless of who has been in the lineup. And it's not as though all 12 of these names are even recognizable to 3/4 of the league either. So far, the Leafs have used all of Morgan Rielly, Jake Muzzin, T.J. Brodie, Justin Holl, Mark Giordano, Rasmus Sandin, Timothy Liljegren, Jordie Benn, Victor Mete, Mac Hollowell, Conor Timmins and Filip Kral in real game action. The team is currently sitting at 20-7-6 with 46 points, good for a 3-way tie for 3rd place in the league and 2nd in the Atlantic Division.

This incredible defensive depth is something that Sheldon Keefe has not had at his disposal during his time in Toronto yet. This collection of blueliners have all shown that they can win together and while, yes, Keefe will probably shorten his bench, so to speak, when it comes to who he rides in the playoffs, there are still no less than 10 names on that list who can be trusted to play on any given night and help give the team a chance to win (9 if you exclude the injured Muzzin, whose career may be in jeopardy after his latest injury). The only two names who likely won't be in consideration for postseason play (barring a high number of injuries) are rookies Hollowell and Kral.

These guys are all playing well within the system that the Leafs have drawn up. They're all hungry to win and there is a good amount of LD/RD versatility there as well, so Keefe will be able to seamlessly "plug and play" guys where he needs them. There are a few reasons why this year's team really is different, but the defensive depth ranks pretty high up there for me.