3 Maple Leafs’ Takeaways from a Tough Night in Detroit

The Toronto Maple Leafs walked into Detroit hoping to build on some early-season energy — and walked out with a 6–3 loss that exposed a few of the same old cracks. Craig Berube has emphasized structure and puck management since training camp, but against the Red Wings, those habits slipped at key moments. Detroit’s balanced attack, quick transition game, and tighter defensive play were the difference.

Here are three takeaways from the loss.

Takeaway One: Detroit’s Depth Outplayed Toronto’s Stars

The Red Wings didn’t lean on a single line — they got goals from different players, including Lucas Raymond (2), Patrick Kane, and rookie defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Toronto’s scoring, meanwhile, came from depth pieces like Max Domi, Calle Järnkrok, and Nicolas Roy, but the team’s biggest names — Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares — were held without a goal. That imbalance meant Detroit could roll its lines confidently, while Toronto’s top-end firepower never found rhythm or pressure.

Takeaway Two: The Red Wings Controlled the Puck — and the Pace

Detroit outshot Toronto 35–23, and that gap reflected more than just volume. The Red Wings’ forecheck forced turnovers and extended zone time, while Toronto struggled to generate second chances. Berube’s system relies on quick exits and strong support between the blue lines, but too often, the Maple Leafs’ breakouts broke down. When you’re chasing pucks and losing territory shifts, you’re not dictating much.

Takeaway Three: Maple Leafs’ Defensive Lapses Cost Them Early and Late

Defensively, Toronto was inconsistent. Simon Benoit and Oliver Ekman-Larsson each finished minus-two, and there were too many sequences where Detroit attackers slipped behind coverage or found space cross-ice. The Maple Leafs’ penalty kill held up reasonably well, but the even-strength goals against were preventable — especially the breakdowns late in the second period. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz wasn’t horrible statistically (.879 save percentage), but he didn’t get much help in front of him. He got overwhelmed.