Dakota Joshua Finally Delivers the Breakout the Leafs Needed
So, let me walk you through what just happened with Dakota Joshua, because this might be the moment Leafs fans point to and say, that’s when he truly arrived . For most of the season, Joshua had been more or less invisible. He was brought in through a trade with Vancouver, expected to bolster Toronto’s depth with size, grit, and some scoring touch. But up until now, that impact hadn’t really been felt.
Then came this game.
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Right from the opening period against the Pittsburgh Penguins, something felt different. Joshua threw a massive, arena-shaking hit on Matt Dumba that immediately woke up the crowd and seemed to flip a switch in his own game. That hit wasn’t just physical—it sent a message. You could sense the momentum shifting, and it was clear Joshua was making sure people noticed he was out there.
And he didn’t stop with the hit. Not long after, he buried Toronto’s fourth goal of the night, the one that ended goaltender Arturs Silovs’ night early. Scoring on a former teammate always adds a little extra spark, and this one came at exactly the right moment for both Joshua and the Leafs. On top of that, he drew a penalty by crashing hard toward the net, showing the kind of aggressive, north-south game the Leafs had been hoping he’d bring on a consistent basis.
What makes this performance stand out even more is the context. Joshua had actually been scratched recently—benched because his game wasn’t where it needed to be. That kind of move can either deflate a player or light a fire under them. In Joshua’s case, it clearly did the latter. Even head coach Craig Berube mentioned that he’d already seen improvement in the previous game, but this one was the full package. A big hit, a tight-area goal, heavy forechecking, and constant pressure. Exactly the kind of depth contribution Toronto desperately needed.
He wasn’t alone, either. That entire line—Joshua with fellow newcomer Nic Roy and Bobby McMann—finally broke out of their collective slump. All three managed to get on the scoresheet, giving the Leafs some badly needed secondary scoring in a 7–2 win. It was one of those nights where the supporting cast stepped up instead of relying on the usual stars.
This was Joshua’s first goal since late October, and while scoring isn’t the only measure of his game, his physical presence is the foundation of what he brings. And tonight, it was all on display. Now the big question is whether he can build on this and bring that same intensity consistently.
For the Leafs, though, this game was a reminder of why they traded for Dakota Joshua in the first place—and why, when he plays like this, he can change the entire feel of the lineup.
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