The Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling the heat as they return from the Olympic break, battling for position in the NHL's Atlantic Division. With a record of 27-23-9 and sitting at 63 points, each loss chips away at their playoff hopes.
Before the break, the Leafs struggled to gain momentum, and the trend continues with back-to-back losses. A recent defeat to the Tampa Bay Lightning followed a tough 5-1 loss to the Florida Panthers, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities and stalling their progress.
Auston Matthews, fresh off a gold medal win with Team USA, leads Toronto with 26 goals. However, his international success hasn't translated into victories for the Leafs, who are hungry for wins on home ice.
When asked about the recent setbacks, Matthews remained composed.
“Concern isn’t quite the word,” Matthews noted. “We need more desperation, more fire, especially at the start. We know where we stand, and we have to be the more desperate team every night.”
That urgency was lacking against Florida, where the Panthers took control early, netting three goals in the first period and dictating the tempo. Matthews acknowledged the struggle to explain their slow starts.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “We should have the energy and desperation from the get-go, like we showed in the later periods. It’s puzzling.”
The loss tightens an already competitive race. With Detroit, Montreal, and Buffalo ahead in the standings, and Tampa Bay leading with 80 points, the Leafs can't afford another losing streak with about 20 games remaining.
Missing the playoffs would be a significant setback, marking the first absence since Matthews’ rookie season. The Leafs haven't hoisted the Stanley Cup since 1967, a drought that weighs heavily on the franchise. Despite nine consecutive playoff appearances since drafting Matthews in 2016, they've only advanced past the first round twice.
Toronto's challenges are clear. They're allowing 3.42 goals per game, ranking near the league's bottom, and their power play is under 20 percent. Yet, their penalty kill remains a bright spot, showing resilience alongside their scoring.
To secure a playoff spot, the Leafs must rally with urgency. Talent alone won't suffice; as Matthews emphasized, desperation is essential.