The Minnesota Wild arrive in Toronto on Monday night with a bit more swagger than they had just a few days ago. After a frustrating 0-2-1 homestand, they kicked off their road trip with a gritty overtime win in Buffalo, clawing back late and sealing it with a power-play goal. It wasn’t pretty, but it was the kind of win that can reset a team’s mindset - especially when you’re trying to find your footing midseason.
The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, are coming off a dramatic comeback of their own. Down 3-1 in the third period against the Jets on Saturday, they stayed patient, didn’t panic, and clawed their way back into it - eventually winning in overtime on a Max Domi finish, set up by Auston Matthews. That capped a 2-1-1 road trip and sets the stage for a five-game homestand that could be a real swing point in their season.
Both teams are leaning heavily on belief right now. Minnesota is trying to hold things together with a banged-up roster and a patchwork lineup.
Toronto? They’re winning games they don’t always control.
That’s a tightrope act - and something has to give.
Joseph Woll Gets the Start as Leafs Look to Build Home Momentum
Joseph Woll will be between the pipes tonight, and while his last outing - a wild 6-5 overtime loss to Vegas - doesn’t look great on paper, the eye test tells a different story. He stopped 27 shots and gave the Maple Leafs a chance to win a game that turned into a defensive mess in front of him. That kind of performance, even in a loss, doesn’t go unnoticed.
Zoom out, and Woll’s recent form has been quietly impressive. Over his last four starts, he’s gone 3-0-1 and turned aside 118 of 128 shots.
That’s the kind of stability Toronto needs right now. His season numbers - 11-4-3 with a couple of shutouts - reflect a goalie who’s not just holding the fort, but giving his team a chance to win most nights.
Minnesota, even with some key offensive pieces missing, still presents a challenge. They’re a middle-of-the-pack scoring team, but if the Leafs play a structured game in front of Woll, he should be able to manage the load.
For Toronto, this is about rhythm. They’re home for a while, and starting this stretch on the right foot means playing clean in front of their goalie - something they haven’t always done this year.
Philippe Myers Trying to Stick in the Lineup Amid Blue Line Injuries
Philippe Myers is in the lineup, but still very much on the bubble. His current eight-game point drought tells part of the story, but the real indicator is how often he’s been scratched - four times in that span. When the Leafs are healthy, Myers is fighting just to stay on the roster sheet.
But with Chris Tanev and Simon Benoit both sidelined, Myers has a window. He’s getting third-pair minutes, and the leash is still short, but the opportunity is there if he can keep things simple and stay out of trouble. That’s what the Leafs need from him - not flash, not offense, just reliable, quiet minutes.
This is the kind of stretch that can define a player’s place in the league. If Myers can prove he’s trustworthy in a limited role, he might stick around even when the blue line gets crowded again. If not, he could find himself back in the press box - or worse, on the outside looking in.
Jacob Quillan Gets Another Look as Leafs Tinker with Bottom Six
Jacob Quillan is back with the big club as the Maple Leafs continue to shuffle the deck in their bottom six. He’s played three NHL games this season without registering a point, but he didn’t look out of place. He finished his checks, kept things simple, and didn’t try to do too much - exactly what you want from a depth call-up.
What’s earned him another shot, though, is what he’s done with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies. Through 28 games, he’s posted eight goals and 19 assists - nearly a point-per-game pace for a player whose game isn’t built around offense. He plays fast, applies pressure, and brings a physical edge that’s hard to ignore.
This recall doesn’t guarantee him ice time, but it does send a message: the Leafs want more energy and accountability from their bottom six. If Quillan can bring the same edge he’s shown in the minors, he could force the coaching staff to keep him around longer than expected.
And for players like Quillan, there’s a broader lesson in how careers unfold. Two of his former Marlies teammates - Alex Steeves and Fraser Minten - are now part of the Boston Bruins’ success story.
Sometimes, it’s not about where you start, but where you find your game. For Quillan, that journey might still be in Toronto, but he knows better than anyone that the NHL path isn’t always linear.
What’s Next: A Critical Homestand for a Team on the Rise
The timing couldn’t be better for the Leafs. After a road trip that tested them physically and mentally, they’re back home for five straight - a stretch that could be a turning point in their season.
Toronto has quietly been one of the league’s hotter teams over the last ten games, and the upcoming schedule lines up against opponents who are dealing with injuries and roster instability of their own. That doesn’t mean automatic wins - nothing in this league ever does - but it does raise the bar.
If the Maple Leafs are serious about climbing the Atlantic Division standings and locking in a playoff spot, this homestand is the launchpad. It starts tonight.