The Toronto Maple Leafs returned to action following the 2026 Olympics break in desperate need to make up ground in the tightly-packed Atlantic Division standings if they had any realistic shot at making the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, their fortunes have been nothing but a complete disaster thus far through the first three games that they’ve played following the historic Team USA gold medal win in Milan.
Following back to back losses in the state of Florida to the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers (who eliminated them in seven games from last season’s Stanley Cup Playoffs) and the Tampa Bay Lightning, they returned home against the rival Ottawa Senators, only to be bested by a 5-2 final score at Scotiabank Arena.
The loss dropped the Maple Leafs to 27-24-9 and last place in the Atlantic Division. Needless to say, their chances at the postseason are officially on life support, and time is running out.
Team captain Auston Matthews, who captained Team USA to their first gold medal win since 1980, said that the setback against the Senators was “embarrassing”.
“I thought we started better. I don’t know, we just lost it there. [We were] just really disconnected throughout all three zones, just bad, just fairly embarrassing to be honest with you,” Matthews said afterward. “We need to have more pride in our play no matter where we’re at, no matter what the situation is. We just have to have more pride in our game and we didn’t have that tonight.”
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Maple Leafs Team Captain Auston Matthews Said The Team Lacks Confidence
It certainly didn’t help the Leafs that all three of their losses so far since returning from the Olympics have been against divisional opponents.
In the mind of Matthews, the Maple Leafs, who had won three straight before the start of the the Olympics break, simply are lacking confidence right now.
“I think when you go through tough stretches, obviously you can lack confidence,” Matthews continued. “It’s never fun to lose, it’s never fun to lose in this kind of fashion, three games in a row, so it’s hard. It definitely wears on you, but we just have to be better. There’s no hanging our heads, no feeling sorry for ourselves. Everyone’s gotta look in the mirror and be better.”
It’s going to be up to Matthews and the Maple Leafs to come back with a renewed effort in the face of their last three disappointing losses to try and make up ground in the standings and make one last desperate gasp toward a postseason spot.
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The Maple Leafs Haven’t Missed The Playoffs Since 2016
Ironically, the last time that the Maple Leafs missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs was the season prior to their selection of Matthews with the first overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft.
Since then, Matthews and the Maple Leafs have played beyond the final game of the regular season in every campaign that’s followed, though they’ve only managed a total of two postseason series victories.
While there is still time to make a run toward the postseason in 2025-26, the clock is ticking, and time is not their friend.
Auston Matthews Rips “Embarrassing” Maple Leafs Effort In Third Straight Loss