Maple Leafs Lose on Brutal Offside Challenge; Play the Sabres Today

The Maple Leafs lost to the Red Wings.

Dec 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA;  Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Dec 14, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (35) makes a save on Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images | Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs were the better team overall, but ultimately lost 3-2 to the Detroit Red Wings last night in Detroit.

The Maple Leafs should have won this game as they were the better team overall, and because they got a bad break on a stupid offside call.

Mitch Marner scored a goal that did not count because the Leafs were ruled to have gone slightly offside about 45 minutes before the goal went in, when they entered the zone.

The league needs to fix this rule because it is needless and unnecessary and does nothing to make the game better. The amount of goals that get called off that should count far exceeds the amount of goals that would otherwise be scored that shouldn't. It is a pointless rule that no one involved in hockey even likes.

Maple Leafs on Brutal Offside Challenge; Play the Sabres Today

A funny thing about last night's game was that the Jeff Petry scored twice and they were his first goals of the season, while Detroit's goalie picked up his first win of the season, and the first win in a full calendar year.

The Leafs can't be too mad about this game, as they were the better team. Matthew Knies tip in was worth mentioning as he bounced the back off the ice and it looked super-cool.

Also worth mentioning: the fourth line was much better without Ryan Reaves and the third line was absolutely terrible. Fraser Minten probably shouldn't be in the NHL, which is fair because he's a rookie. But Domi makes $4 million dollars and is signed for three years after this, so the fact that he doesn't look like he belongs in the NHL is a huge problem.

It is insane that the Leafs would bother to sign him and then never play him in the only spot he's had success - with Auston Matthews.

The Leafs will play the Sabres this afternoon, which is their third game in four nights. Anthony Stolarz was injured in the game on Thursday, but is not expected to be out long. That said, Denis Hildeby will likely get today's start, though nothing has been announced as of yet.

The Sabres have just one more point than the Canadiens and I honestly feel bad for their fans. They drafted Jack Eichel and Sam Reinhart a decade ago and both have Stanley Cups with different teams, while the Sabres are looking at their NHL record 14th straight season without a playoff appearance.

Schedule