The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to be in free fall in the NHL, according to reports. Since the NHL resumed, Toronto has played seven games and lost all of them, as noted by analysts. In those games, Toronto has only managed to score 14 goals and conceded a total of 32 goals, based on game statistics.
The playoff spot was far away even before the Olympic break, but since then, making the playoffs has become impossible for the big club, per team standings. The Leafs are thus the second-worst team in the Eastern Conference, where only the New York Rangers are worse, according to league data. Last night, Toronto took the lead at home against the Tampa Bay Lightning, but the team collapsed immediately afterward, as reported by game coverage.
When the first period was over, Tampa Bay had surged to a 4-1 lead after scoring four goals within ten minutes, based on game reports. The final result was written as 5-2 for the Lightning, while Toronto was booed by the home crowd, according to eyewitness accounts. Star player Auston Matthews has gone goalless in eleven consecutive games, per team statistics.
Auston Matthews' future with the club is reportedly not certain, as speculation has started about Matthews' future as the Toronto Maple Leafs now appear to be heading toward a team rebuild, based on insider reports. ' Friedman added, 'What I hear is that they will sit down and discuss the matter after the season. They might not have that talk right away; they might wait a bit to see how things develop.
' The specific factors to be discussed regarding Matthews' future after the season are not known, nor is his current stance on staying with or leaving the team.