Disinterested Maple Leafs Reverted to Their Worst Habits Last Night

For a couple of games, you could convince yourself the Toronto Maple Leafs had finally found that extra gear — the one where they lean into the hard areas, stay connected, and actually seem to care about what happens. Tonight? Not so much. Old habits tripped them up.

The result? After being up 2-0, the San Jose Sharks scored three and won 3-2 in overtime.

The Numbers Don’t Show the Truth of the Game

On paper, the numbers don’t scream disaster. The Sharks outshot them 32–30, which usually means both goalies were sharp and the game was close. The Sharks iced a team in that fun, chaotic phase of a rebuild where half their lineup looks barely removed from Grade 12. They’ve got a recent first-overall pick who’s already near the top of league scoring leaders. They play loose, fearless hockey. Stuff happens.

But this wasn’t a “stuff happens” loss. This was a “the Maple Leafs didn’t show up when it mattered” loss.

The Maple Leafs Looked Slow Early in the Season, and Last Night, Slow Showed Up Again

The Maple Leafs were clearly the slower team — not just physically, but mentally. They managed the game well enough through regulation, kept things mostly low-event, and got a few great stops from their goalie, Dennis Hildeby. That kept it tied.

In overtime, they didn’t look like a team trying to grab the win. They looked drained and gave the game to the Sharks.

In Overtime, Matthews and Nylander Failed to Create Danger

Even with two shifts from Auston Matthews and William Nylander — normally automatic danger in open ice — the OT was a mess of failed entries, loose touches, and bad decisions. Nylander put the puck directly on a Sharks stick more than once. Matthews tried to handle three defenders on his own, clearly exhausted. There was no structure, no reset, no urgency. Just… drifting.

Eventually, the Sharks did what engaged teams do: they took the extra point.

A loss like this doesn’t tank your season, but it does say something about where their heads are at. The Maple Leafs had shown flashes of a team taking things seriously. Tonight reminded us all that flashes of serious play don’t always turn into habits.

Now the Maple Leafs Face the Oilers on Saturday

They’ll get another chance on Saturday when Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers come to town. Although the Oilers sometimes have looked stuck in the mud this season, tonight they beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1, riding a hat trick from former Maple Leaf Zach Hyman, with Connor McDavid assisting on all four Oilers goals.

Maybe that matchup will snap the Maple Leafs back into caring again. For now, this one felt like a step backwards.

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