The Toronto Maple Leafs have found themselves in the throes of a multi-game losing streak that has resulted in them falling to the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings for the first time in several years at this point of an NHL season.
Following their 5-1 setback at the hands of the Dallas Stars on Sunday at American Airlines Center, the Leafs fell to 15-15-5 and have slipped into the final spot of their division. The Buffalo Sabres, who previously occupied that spot, are on a hot streak with six straight victories and have leapfrogged the Leafs.
Maple Leafs forward William Nylander isn’t used to this kind of prolonged losing, which he admitted afterward while speaking with media members.
“I don’t know if I’ve felt like, like this before,” Nylander said. “Or had a stretch like this. I’m not sure. I don’t feel like I’ve had that in the NHL, at least.”
Not only are the Maple Leafs not winning games, but Nylander is currently mired in a perplexing 11-game goal drought.
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Toronto Maple Leafs Coach Craig Berube Had a Positive Review Despite the Loss
While the Maple Leafs suffered yet another disappointing loss, head coach Craig Berube looked at the positives from the game that saw Toronto hold Dallas to less than 10 shots on goal through the first 40 minutes of play.
“Through two periods I really liked our game,” Berube said in his postgame media availability session. “Lots of chances and opportunities. It’s not going in right now. Eventually it wears on you throughout the game. Third period they got that third goal and it set us back pretty good.
“I thought we defended extremely well tonight. That’s a good team over there, we all know that. We didn’t give up much.”
Berube is in his second season behind the bench of the Maple Leafs, who hired him to replace the terminated Sheldon Keefe prior to the beginning of the 20224-25 campaign.
Leafs Forward William Nylander Has Not Scored in 11 Games
The good news for the Nylander is that he’s producing at above a point-per-game pace with 36 points in 31 games played, but the bad news is that he hasn’t put the puck into the net in his last 11 games.
Berube explained of Nylander’s drought that he could potentially get back onto the scoresheet by attempting for more dirty, greasy goals rather than the skilled, finesse-style goals that he’s been known for throughout his career.
“For a scorer, when it is not going in, and you are getting opportunities, sometimes, you have to get around the net more and score some greasy, dirty goals,” Berube said. “That message has been said forever. That is one thing he can probably do.
“He is getting his looks, and they are not going in, but sometimes you have to get around the net, get greasy, and score some dirty goals.”
Nylander is one of the highest-compensated players on the Maple Leafs, having agreed to an eight-year contract extension in November 2023 and carrying an $11.5 million salary cap hit.
They count on him to score goals, and his drought isn’t helping matters amidst Toronto’s recent skid.
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