Maple Leafs Brush Off Ugly Loss to Mammoth — But Questions Linger

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ four-game win streak met an icy wall Tuesday night in Utah with a 6-1 loss to the Mammoth. You don’t usually think of mammoths as quick, but that’s exactly what Utah was against the Leafs last night.

Utah brought the fire, and Toronto just couldn’t keep up. Six to one, and the Maple Leafs’ 10-game point streak was toast. Dylan Guenther was all over the ice with two goals and an assist. Jack McBain added a goal and a couple of helpers, and Calle Jarnkrok finally broke up Vejmelka’s shutout. But, to be honest, the game was over long before that.

For Maple Leafs fans, it’s frustrating—but that’s hockey. The season keeps moving, and the team has a chance to make things right in Vegas.

The good news: the team didn’t quit. It doesn’t earn points toward the postseason, but it counts for something.

Maple Leafs Head Coach Craig Berube Wants to Flush this Game

Coach Craig Berube didn’t hide what he felt about the game’s outcome. “This is a flush game, for me… We need to rest up here and get our legs under us for Vegas.” Flush is right. Sometimes a loss like this doesn’t require much conversation. The job is to put it behind and move forward.

What did Maple Leafs fans learn from last night’s loss?

Berube pointed to Utah’s quickness and early push as decisive. The first period ended 1-0, and the Maple Leafs had moments to reset. But by the second goal, the game tilted. The Mammoths’ speed forced Toronto into reaction mode, and the Leafs’ signature cycle and breakout patterns struggled to find footing. Even strong performances—like Dennis Hildeby’s 34 saves on 40 shots—couldn’t mask the team-wide inability to match the pace.

Execution Matters More Than Effort

Berube admitted: “We almost got a goal… we almost got the payoff, but we just didn’t execute well enough.” And he’s right. The Maple Leafs must improve their passing, shooting, and timing. Forty shots against, 17 giveaways, faceoff losses, and a zilch on the power play isn’t enough to win. One day of rest might help, but the NHL doesn’t give a break for sloppy nights.

Wednesday’s a breather, and Toronto will need it. Thursday, they’re off to Vegas for a showdown with Marner and the Golden Knights. One loss doesn’t ruin the season; this is their chance to bounce back.

Here’s hoping the loss in Utah lights a fire under the Maple Leafs so they’re ready for Vegas. The team needs better legs, smarter heads, and a nastier attack. The scoreboard stings, but in the end, a 6-1 loss is just like a close 2-1 loss.

Related: 3 Reasons the Maple Leafs Might Be Better Without Mitch Marner