The Toronto Maple Leafs recent run of terrible goaltending and defense does not exactly inspire confidence, but don’t forget that they are missing two of their top-four defensemen.
Additionally, people have a very strong tendency towards recency bias, which means that they think that whatever is happening now is what will happen forever. Basically, they weigh the present more heavily than it deserves when they try to predict the future.
While recency bias will usually always steer you wrong, when you’re evaluating a team that is injured, it’s going to be even worse.
Assuming the Toronto Maple Leafs get back Travis Dermott and Jake Gardiner in time for the playoffs, there are some real reasons for optimism.