The Toronto Maple Leafs have been a frustrating to watch in the postseason, but there’s no question they’re better than they were when they lost to Columbus in 2020.

After staving off elimination by erasing a 3-0 deficit in the final four minutes of the third period in Game 4 against the Blue Jackets back in August of 2020, the Leafs threw up a goose egg in Game 5 of their play-in series against Columbus in the 2020 playoffs.

It was another year of playoff disappointment for the Leafs and their fans, which has continued even though they made it to the second round in 2023. Ultimately, the playoff failures led to the departures of Kyle Dubas and Sheldon Keefe and a new era under Craig Berube and Brad Treliving will begin this season with a feeling of renewed hope that the Leafs are better prepared for playoff hockey.

Berube and Treliving prefer their teams playing playoff-style hockey all season long, and while there will be an adjustment period for many players at the start of the season, the hope is that their stars like Mitch Marner are better adapted to the rigors of playoff hockey.

A lot has happened in 4 years, and while the Leafs still don’t have much playoff success to speak of, if you compare the roster that they iced back in Game 5 against Columbus 4 years ago today to the one that exists now, it becomes very clear very quickly that this new regime is Toronto means business.

The Leafs essentially have a 4-year window to win before Auston Matthews sees his deal expire. One might imagine that another 4 years of mediocrity in the playoffs will weigh in Matthews, which could eventually lead to his departure. The time to win is now and the Leafs know it. Look for a much more effective group and more playoff success this season, because, well, the team doesn’t have much of a choice now. It’s likely a win or rebuild scenario in 4 years time.