Toronto Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs Can’t Beat Anyone in Their Own Division: Now What?

The Maple Leafs are struggling against divisional rivals, and Morgan Rielly’s injury adds another issue after a frustrating loss to Montreal.

by
Old Prof
November 8, 2026

The Toronto Maple Leafs have a problem that’s getting hard to ignore. Saturday’s 4-2 loss to Montreal dropped the team to 0-3-1 against their own division, and they played all four games at home. It was also their second straight loss and their fourth regulation defeat in five games.

Toronto made it interesting late. William Nylander got them on the board at 6:19 of the third with a one-timer on the power play, and just 55 seconds later Gavin McKenna found a loose puck and scored to make it a one-goal game. But Bolduc answered with a power-play goal for Montreal to make it 4-2 with 7:45 left, and a couple of costly turnovers made the comeback tough. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 24 of 28 shots, and the Maple Leafs had 28 of their own.

Rielly’s Injury Is the Bigger Worry

Morgan Rielly didn’t finish the game, and Jim Hiller had nothing concrete afterward. “It’s never a good sign,” he said. “We’ll see. We’ll know a little bit more tomorrow.” Hiller also said losing him would hurt, and that Rielly’s confidence had come back and he’d been playing as well as Hiller had seen in a long time. For a team already searching for consistency, losing a key defenceman is the last thing it needs.

There was one bright spot. John Tavares returned, and Hiller thought it helped Nylander have his best game in a while. He pointed to the chemistry between the two, especially Tavares winning puck battles and creating chances for his linemates. Nylander, Tavares and McKenna each led the team with four shots on goal.

Hiller wasn’t unhappy with the overall effort, either. He felt Toronto created chances and competed for most of the night, and his real complaint was the turnovers that let Montreal take advantage.

Morgan Rielly Maple Leafs trade — Morgan Rielly Maple Leafs

The Maple Leafs Are Becoming a Frustrating Team to Watch

That’s the frustrating part. The Maple Leafs are having better stretches, but they aren’t turning them into wins. Going winless in four home games against divisional opponents isn’t something they can let continue, especially with Rielly’s status up in the air and the standings starting to matter.

Toronto needs a better response next time out. Fortunately, there’s little time to sit on these frustrations. They meet the New Jersey Devils tonight. Fans will see who shows up and who doesn’t.