The term ‘must-win’ has been used for about four games in a row now, and each time, the Leafs have found a way to blow it. Whether it’s starting strong and letting it slip away or starting poorly and fighting back just enough to make it interesting, the Leafs cannot close out a game anymore. With four games remaining before the Olympic break, the Leafs kicked off a road trip against the Seattle Kraken and lost 5-2, taking them even further out of the playoff race on a day where the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, and Montreal Canadiens all won.
It wasn’t the lopsided affair that we’ve grown accustomed to in recent games, but at this point, the team doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt when they play well if they’re still losing games. The Leafs surrendered the first goal of the game less than two minutes in, on their first shot against, and while Nick Robertson tied it up not long afterwards, the Kraken scored two goals in 31 seconds in the second period and it was enough to take the Leafs out of commission for the rest of the game. Toronto got one back from Morgan Rielly early into the final frame, but just like we’ve seen too many times, the Leafs gave it back a little over two minutes later.
Buying at the trade deadline is so far in the rearview mirror that even standing pat seems like malpractice for this team. They need to turn their attention to selling off assets at the deadline, regardless of how their Western Canada swing goes. If the talent in the dressing room decides to go on a miracle run and give the Bruins a lower pick to use with Toronto’s, that’s about the biggest positive they can take away from what’s been an utter nightmare of a season.