The Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their second straight game against an Atlantic opponent, squandering a big chance to climb closer to the leading place in the division. After the 4-2 defeat against the Ottawa Senators, head coach Craig Berube received a strong piece of advice from a Stanley Cup champion on the team.
Though equalled in points, the Maple Leafs have lost the second place in the division to the Lightning. However, finishing in second or third place in the Atlantic doesn’t have much bearing, but for the home-ice advantage in a potential Game 7. Regardless, as it stands, Toronto and Tampa Bay would meet in the first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs.
However, the Leafs are after something bigger. While the top seed in the Eastern Conference feels out of reach with the Washington Capitals dominating all season, first place in the division is still within grasp—and Toronto has set its sights on it.
Easier said than done, of course. And the climb only gets steeper with every loss to divisional opponents—like the Senators and Panthers—who seem to have Berube’s Leafs figured out. Still, for those searching for a silver lining, a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender on the roster may have found it after their loss to Ottawa.
Anthony Stolarz, who hoisted Lord Stanley during the 2023-24 NHL campaign with the Panthers, delivered a bold message after the loss to the Senators, urging Berube to take notes from Ottawa’s game plan.
“They’re just throwing pucks at the net, turning chicken s–t into chicken soup, and just getting bounces,” Stolarz firmly admitted after the loss, via TSN’s Mark Masters. “Maybe that’s something we can take from them and incorporate into our game, because it seems to be working for them.”
Rise to the occasion
The Senators have swept the regular season series against the Maple Leafs, signaling a change of times. Ottawa is proving to be a contender in the East after years of rebuilding. The Sens have developed a knack for beating the Leafs, with their eagerness to topple their Ontario rivals fueling their recent dominance.
“I don’t know [why we’ve had success against the [Maple Leafs],” Senators’ Jake Sanderson admitted. “I think we just get fired up for these games, fired up playing in front of these fans. Just the rivalry between us, it’s pretty cool to play here.”
Stop the bleeding
The Maple Leafs have lost five of their last six games in the 2024-25 NHL season, painting a worrisome picture in The Six, as the postseason looms closer and the team is far from hitting its peak form.
Berube and the Leafs will look to change the recent tide of their season, as frustration begins to mount in the locker room. Next, Toronto will host the Calgary Flames on March 17. Two nights later, the Colorado Avalanche will walk into Scotiabank Arena, in what’s set to be a marquee matchup.