Toronto Maple Leafs: 3 players that need to improve post all-star break

Josh Archibald #15 of the Edmonton Oilers side steps a hit from Tyson Barrie #94 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena. (Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty Images)

The Toronto Maple Leafs will need some help to get back into the playoffs and these players can provide a necessary boost.

If there are two words Sheldon Keefe should have posted in a prominent place in the Toronto Maple Leafs locker, it should be ‘discipline’ and ‘consistency.’

For years, this young team has been given the benefit of the doubt because of their lack of experience but with moves to bring in proven veterans like John Tavares and Jake Muzzin, expectations have changed. Unfortunately, this team still hasn’t been able to play with the consistency and discipline most teams have shown en route to winning the Stanley Cup.

When Keefe was brought in it provided an adrenaline boost but with his comments following their loss against the Chicago Blackhawks, he made it clear that the honeymoon period was over. The question is what the Leafs are going to do to try and get back on track?

All the focus will be on the Leafs’ defensive play with Jake Muzzin making his return after missing a month with a fractured foot. One player, unfortunately, won’t make that much of a difference unless the rest of the team buys in.

With that being said there are certainly a group of players who the team will need to take a big step forward when the team gets back on the ice if they want a chance to get back into the playoffs.