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Morgan Rielly now has pair of Toronto Maple Leafs records

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
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Apr 23 2025, 5:03 pm
Morgan Rielly now has pair of Toronto Maple Leafs records
John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images

Morgan Rielly is peaking at just the right time for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Throughout much of the 2024-25 season, questions have circled around the team’s longest-tenured player, who’s now been in nine consecutive postseasons in the blue and white.

While Rielly, at 31, isn’t exactly considered “old” by NHL standards, he’d be the first to tell you that he’s looked a step slower than his usual self for a lot of the past year.

The usually offensive-minded Rielly put up 41 points this past season, his lowest point total in a season where he played at least 65 games since 2016-17.

But through two playoff games for the Leafs this year against the Ottawa Senators, Rielly has scored in both contests, after failing to score in seven postseason matches against the Boston Bruins a year ago.

“I think the expectation is that we’re all going to up our level, across the board,” Rielly said of his performance. “I don’t think anyone’s trying to reinvent the wheel — I think we’re all out here just competing our hardest, trying to play a team game, trying to get to our game as quick as we can.”

Rielly’s second goal tied him with Ian Turnbull for most playoff goals by a defenceman in franchise history at 13. The Sportsnet broadcast also shared that he became the first Leafs defender ever to score in back-to-back games to open the playoffs.

“I don’t think anyone is doing anything different, other than just more commitment, more competitiveness. And I think we need more of that moving forward.”

Leafs coach Craig Berube credited a midseason trade for Brendan Carlo as a key cog of Rielly’s hot postseason play.

“I don’t think it’s different in the playoffs — the last 20 games, I would say, where he’s up in the play more,” Berube said of Rielly. “Playing with [Brandon] Carlo, I think he feels very comfortable with his partner. They’ve got good chemistry together. And I think he’s freed up a little bit to do his thing offensively.”

Looking to take a 3-0 series lead Thursday night in Ottawa, Toronto can only hope that Rielly’s strong play continues.

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