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Unexpected Defensive Duo Dominates
11 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Rielly and Ekman-Larsson form a surprisingly effective defensive pair.
- Their on-ice performance significantly boosts the Maple Leafs' expected goals.
- Injuries unexpectedly propelled this pairing into consistent play.
The Maple Leafs have stumbled upon a highly effective defensive pairing in Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. What began as a situational collaboration has evolved into a consistent partnership due to November injuries. This unexpected pairing has seen the Leafs win approximately 59 percent of expected goals in their five-on-five minutes, ranking them among the league's best.
The duo is generating a high volume of offensive chances while also tightening up defensively. Their success is particularly notable as they were not initially envisioned as a primary pairing. The coaching staff has maximized their offensive zone starts, further contributing to their impressive underlying numbers.
This development is occurring as both Rielly and Ekman-Larsson are having strong individual offensive seasons. The continued effectiveness of this pairing, especially in the absence of other key defensemen, presents a significant decision for the Maple Leafs' coaching staff regarding future lineup configurations.
