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Maple Leafs’ Admit Comeback Win Highlights Bigger Problems

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Nov 4, 2025 11:44 AM ET

The Toronto Maple Leafs walked away with two points on Monday night, but few inside their dressing room see that victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins as a solid win. Instead of feeling confident in their game, the team’s third-period pushback was overshadowed by two periods of lifeless, unacceptable play. Yes, the Leafs rallied from a 3-0 deficit, but the tone afterward suggests a bigger problem.

Auston Matthews led the charge with a goal, an assist, and his best third period of the season, but he was quick to steer the conversation away from heroics and toward hard truths.

“It was great to come back and get the two points,” Matthews said. “I think the focus should more so be on the first two periods and why we lacked all those different things that got us down in the game and in the first place. So, something that we’ll figure out.”

Head coach Craig Berube didn’t hide his confusion when asked about a 60-minute effort from the team. “I have no clue. I don’t have an answer for that right now,” he responded. He added, “They got the puck and did whatever they wanted with it. We didn’t check anybody. We didn’t knock anybody off the puck. And when we did get it, we gave him back to ’em, and they just kept coming back down our throats. It’s not good enough.”

When asked what happened in the third period, Berube said the team just got back to playing their game, and the William Nylander and Matthew Knies line got back to being able to do what they’re capable of doing.

It begs the question, why wait until the third period?

Even Nylander, normally understated, echoed the frustration, saying of the team’s performance: “Played terrible for two periods… It’s unacceptable. There’s nothing more to say.” But he did say more. “Our compete level was not there. Losing every battle. Losing every puck. So, that’s what it comes down to.”

Matthews at least tried to describe where the Leafs went wrong. “Just everything from effort to the energy, the execution just wasn’t good enough in the first two periods. And, I mean, it showed on the scoreboard, showed in the shots, showed in chances, showed in everything.”

The Maple Leafs Need to Consistently Find Their Game

For all the late-game fireworks, Toronto’s uneven effort raises familiar questions about consistency. The good news is that they’ve been getting points, even with the obvious struggles. The Maple Leafs have now won four of their last five.

If Monday proved anything, it’s that this team has a high and low problem. They can dig themselves out of trouble, but fail to limit the times when they dig that hole in the first place.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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