It is at once the most encouraging and devastating aspect of their five-game winless situation (0-4-1).
The last time this hockey team only got one point through five games, they didn't put in an honest effort.
It was six November ago. These extremely talented 2019 Leafs were coasting; they were fine when their coach was fired.
So we wonder – on the heels of yet another blown lead and yet another regulation loss – could this stretch of L, this dip in confidence, feel like the low point of the regular season in the Leafs' can't-miss-the-playoffs era?
“Any time you do something difficult, it's all-consuming and it can feel that way. But we have a lot of faith on our team – and that's powerful,” Morgan Rielly, the Leaf's longest-tenured player, said after Saturday's 3-2 loss to the upstart team. Chicago Blackhawks.
“I definitely know the level of competition, the desire is there. And, you know, sometimes it can be too strong. So, you start squeezing the stick, you start thinking too much because you just want to do something and win the game.”
It's a real struggle in Leafland, where six major wins in 19 games allow the franchise to miss the postseason for the first time since it strategically failed to draft Auston Matthews.
Physical: Defenseman Brandon Carlo (lower body) was added Saturday to the injured list, which already includes Matthews, Chris Tanev, Scott Laughton and Anthony Stolarz.
The intensity is mental: At the United Center, the Maple Leafs built a 2-1 lead with some refreshingly lengthy offensive zone changes and earned a 19-9 edge at high-danger chances. But when the deep defender danced and the dangerous stick could not be connected, the advantage disappeared in the third round.
Hardly the calling card of what should be a better, more veteran band. The lead surprised coach Craig Berube because Toronto had been very comfortable earning two points last season.
“I would say we’re just a little unsure right now,” Berube said. “But we have to get through this because we got the lead and we have the opportunity to finish this game, win it. And we get a power play in the third and we don't do anything about it either.”
What can Berube do to bring confidence back into his room?
“That’s a good question,” he replied. “I mean, I have to motivate them as best I can. And maybe it's a kick in the butt. But maybe it's also positive reinforcement.”
He chooses Door No. 2, which speaks to the fragile state of his group.
Berube forgives rookie Easton Cowan for a panicked penalty shot over the glass at a crucial moment. He resists the urge to point out that his most dangerous weapon has missed the net in two games. Or that poor Phillip Myers, whose time has dropped to 8:47, has been an absolute disaster since signing his two-year contract extension.
The job is also emotional, and that's what the Leafs wanted for their goaltender. Joseph Wall. Number 60 returned to the NHL after nearly six months between starts.
“We're competitors, and all we care about is winning. And the frustration builds. It builds. You know, confidence fades, so every now and then you have to build it up. And you get positive results here and there,” said sage Jake McCabe.
“The positive thing for me today was seeing 60 people there. I thought he did a phenomenal job. I just told him it was really good to see him back out there working and fighting, and he was calm all night. He played great with the puck. So it gives me a lot of joy, just to see him do his thing out there. It was amazing.”
Wall stopped 29 of 32 goals thrown his way. He found that calming balance between calm and aggressiveness. He looked like a real NHL goalie, although his insides were spinning.
“A mix of probably a lot of different emotions. A little nervous, a little excited. But just being in that sheet was pretty cool,” Wall said.
“I felt pretty confident, moved well and saw the puck well.”
The Maple Leafs are shaken to the point where they have to emphasize the positives. Their early periods have been better lately. Their goalie is back and looking sharp. And their urgency remains the same, although sometimes misplaced.
“I mean, we're working hard. I don't think losing games lately defines us as a team. I mean, we're right here. It's just a little frustrating, but hopefully it will end soon,” said Nick Robertson, who has nine points in his last nine games.
“I just think we need a little bit of luck and we're going through adversity right now. But that brings teams together, right? You know, we're in the thick of it and we need to work together to get out of it.”
Together, the Maple Leafs will let off some steam Saturday night in Chicago. The injured guys also hit the road. Dinner for high rollers only. One more night away from the noise of Toronto to bond, blow off some steam and hopefully turn the tide.
“Challenges like this, if you can handle them properly,” Rielly noted, “can end up being positive.”
This is an unpredictable league, and the standings are as messy as some of the neutral zone games that unfolded Saturday in Chicago.
Perhaps the Leafs will look back on this five-game funk as the very bottom.
“Stay positive. I mean, there's nothing more we can do,” Robertson said.
“I mean, you don't sit here and feel sorry for yourself. We have to come out and compete in the next game and work hard – and that's what we do. I mean, our competitiveness is there, our will to win is there.”
The serious question about this group that is now trying is: is it enough?
• Wayne Gretzky extolled the virtues of third-year Bedard on a recent TNT broadcast, saying he should get the attention of Hockey Canada executives.
“He’s making the Canadian team,” Veliky said.
Bedard heard the approval.
“Nice of him. Probably the biggest figure in the history of hockey. So if he's talking about you, that's obviously a good thing,” a humble Bédard told reporters during morning skate. “I’m glad that he likes what he sees in me.”
• As explosive as Bedard has been this season, he has yet to prove himself against the Leafs.
The star has no goals and only one assist in five matches against Toronto.
On the night, Wall and Co. ended Bedard's nine-game hitting streak and four-game goal streak. Bédard also took penalties and won only 20 percent of his draws.
“I feel like every year they start the first 10 to 15 games (slow) and the whole city panics,” Bedard said of Toronto. “They're a good team.”
But Teuvo Teräväinen had a moment…
• Funny moment during Jeff Blashill's fight this morning. (See at the two-minute mark below.)
The Blackhawks coach was answering a question about Ilya Mikheyev when the 1982 Dexys Midnight Runners' “Come On Eileen” began blaring from the visitors' room.
Blashill lost his train of thought and caught the rhythm, shaking his head.
“I danced to this in college. I jumped up and down. It brings back surreal memories.”
• David Kempff's bidding war is over, and the fourth-line center is making $1.1 million in one year in Vancouver. (Montreal also made an offer, Elliott Friedman reports.)
This makes the player whole for this season, as he has already received a $1.33 million signing bonus from Toronto. The player is betting he'll get promoted in 2026-27 and recoup a good chunk of the extra $2.4 million he gave up in Toronto.
Meanwhile, Kempf continues his NHL career and is pursuing an Olympic bid.
• Former Leaf and yardage man Tyler Bertuzzi missed his second game of the season and is dealing with an undisclosed injury. His ability in goal (nine goals) was missed. Just like his yapping.
“It's funny when he sits on the bench. He's always in a place where he can encourage the opposing team,” Frank Nazar said. “He makes me laugh and lifts my spirits.”
Bertuzzi made sure to hang out in the hallway to laugh with Leafs best friend Max Domi after the game.
