Maple Leafs Drop Fifth Straight: Defensive Breakdowns, Confidence Issues Fuel Slide
The snowstorm outside Scotiabank Arena on Sunday might’ve been the toughest opponent Leafs fans faced that day-because once they got inside, Toronto didn’t put up much of a fight. A 4-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche was followed by a 7-goal collapse against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday, and just like that, the Maple Leafs are staring down a five-game losing streak that’s raising serious questions about their identity, their defense, and their direction.
“You can tell we aren’t playing with a ton of confidence right now,” defenseman Jake McCabe said after Sunday’s loss. That much was clear.
The Leafs didn’t just get outplayed-they looked uncertain, disconnected, and at times, overwhelmed. And against a Sabres team they should, on paper, be competitive with, the effort wasn’t just lacking-it was nonexistent.
Defensive Depth Wearing Thin
The Leafs’ blue line has been a revolving door this season, and it’s starting to show. Chris Tanev has only managed 11 games, and with his status uncertain moving forward, the pressure has shifted to a group that hasn’t exactly inspired confidence.
Brandon Carlo, acquired in a trade that’s still being debated as Fraser Minten continues to shine in Boston, missed 23 games before returning in early January. That absence left Toronto leaning heavily on veterans like Oliver Ekman-Larsson, who’s been one of the few bright spots on the back end. Statistically, he’s kept pace with Morgan Rielly, but where OEL has made his presence felt-racking up hits and staying active in transition-Rielly’s impact has been harder to find.
Ekman-Larsson’s plus-minus sits at +2, Benoit’s at -5, and McCabe-despite his turnover that led to Colorado’s opening goal-is a surprising +14. Meanwhile, Rielly is sitting at -14, the worst on the team and among the lowest in the league. That’s not what you want to see from your longest-tenured defenseman.
Rielly, Domi Struggling to Make an Impact
Morgan Rielly’s name is coming up more and more in fan frustration, and not without reason. He’s been with the Leafs for 13 seasons, and while his loyalty and leadership have never been in question, his on-ice production and defensive reliability are under the microscope. His contract runs through 2030 with a no-movement clause, but the question now is whether he’s still the cornerstone player the Leafs need on the blue line-or just a familiar face in decline.
It’s not just Rielly. Max Domi, despite getting on the board Sunday with a power play goal, is carrying a brutal -16 plus-minus rating-the worst on the team.
He’s been slotted into top-line minutes in the absence of Mitch Marner, but the results haven’t followed. Domi’s energy and grit are there, but the execution hasn’t matched the expectations.
Goaltenders Left Out to Dry
Joseph Woll has been thrown into the fire with little support in front of him. He gave up four goals to Colorado and six more to Buffalo, but it’s hard to pin the blame squarely on his shoulders when the defensive structure in front of him is collapsing.
Too often, the Leafs are allowing clean zone entries, failing to clear the crease, and losing puck battles in their own end. That’s a recipe for disaster for any goaltender, let alone one still finding his footing in the league.
Where Did the Momentum Go?
It wasn’t long ago that the Leafs were riding a wave of New Year optimism. But whatever spark they had earlier this month has fizzled. The energy is flat, the execution is sloppy, and the confidence is clearly shaken.
The most memorable moment from the last two weeks? William Nylander flipping the bird to the camera from the press box-not exactly the kind of highlight you want defining your season.
What’s Next?
This isn’t just a rough patch-it’s a full-blown crisis of identity. The Leafs have talent.
They’ve got veterans. But right now, they don’t have answers.
The defensive lapses, the lack of urgency, and the failure to respond when punched in the mouth are all signs of a team that’s lost its edge.
There’s still time to right the ship, but the margin for error is shrinking fast. If the Leafs want to be more than just a playoff team-and actually contend-they’ll need to find their fight, and find it fast. Because right now, they’re not just losing games-they’re losing belief.