The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the midst of a challenging stretch, suffering three consecutive losses, the latest being a 3-1 defeat against the Minnesota Wild. Despite outshooting their opponents, Toronto struggled offensively, marking a pattern seen in their recent games. Their performance at Scotiabank Arena also raised concerns, as they recorded four home losses in their last six matches.

Auston Matthews almost tied a franchise goal record, but William Nylander managed to score, providing a glimmer of hope with his 29th goal. As the team prepares for a four-game road trip ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, they aim to regain momentum and improve their offensive output, which has been inconsistent this season.