The Toronto Maple Leafs have picked the worst time of the season to struggle. Following Saturday night’s awful performance against the Ottawa Senators, the Leafs are now locked in a second-place tie with the Tampa Bay Lightning in the Atlantic Division.
Technically, the Leafs are third as they have more regulation losses than the Bolts. Either way, the Leafs are now stuck in a situation where they are unlikely to win the division, and most likely headed to a first-round showdown with the Lightning yet again.
Regardless of who the Toronto Maple Leafs meet in the playoffs, the club has picked the worst time to struggle. Mitch Marner has one point in his last three games, while Auston Matthews hasn’t been fully healthy all season long.
Earlier this week, reports surfaced suggesting that Matthews has just been grinding through whatever injuries he’s been dealing with all season. Other key Leafs players like John Tavares have been fading in the rearview.
Morgan Rielly hasn’t quite stepped up as the number-one blue liner he’s supposed to be, and now, the Leafs penalty kill, which had been a source of strength, has been awful. Overall, the Leafs PK is 77.9% on the year. But since the calendar flipped from 2024 to 2025, the Leafs PK is at a 72% clip, according to StatMuse.
So, the question begs, why are the Toronto Maple Leafs all of a sudden struggling so much at this point in the season? My instincts tell me something potentially serious could be brewing beneath the surface.
Toronto Maple Leafs running out of gas down the stretch
The Toronto Maple Leafs are simply running out of gas as the season winds down. The Leafs have been playing under a grueling, taxing system espoused by Craig Berube. That grinding style isn’t easy on a team, potentially opening up the door to nagging injuries and overall wear and tear.
Berube’s system has sapped the Leafs of offense and creativity while the Leafs’ blue liners seemed gassed more often than not. Despite the 4 Nations Face-Off break, the Leafs were faced with playing a packed schedule at the end of February and the beginning of March.
The Leafs play four times next week, including back-to-back contests against the Colorado Avalanche and the New York Rangers. As such, next week could define whether the Leafs win the Atlantic Division or fall into a wildcard spot.
The Toronto Maple Leafs must win the lion’s share of games remaining on the schedule, in particular games against the Nashville Predators, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Anaheim Ducks. It is absolutely crucial the Leafs pick up as many points as possible during March, as April brings two games against the Florida Panthers and one against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Keep an eye on the April 9 matchup in Tampa as that game could be a first-round preview.