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Leafs Cap 0-6-0 Homestand With 1-0 Loss to Oilers
Toronto's worst home skid since 1985-86 ends without a win, as Evan Bouchard's goal and Devon Levi's shutout sink the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.
Toronto's brutal homestand is over. It did not end well.
The Maple Leafs fell 1-0 to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night at Scotiabank Arena, capping a 0-6-0 stretch at home - the most consecutive home losses for the franchise since the 1985-86 season. Evan Bouchard's blast was the only goal of the game. Devon Levi stopped all 22 shots he faced to earn the shutout.
One Shot, Same Result
It was a grinding, tight-checking game that looked nothing like Toronto's recent outings. Anthony Stolarz was sharp in net, making several big saves against Connor McDavid and the Oilers' top unit. The Leafs generated chances and stuck with an Edmonton team now sitting at 15-3-3 - arguably the best record in the league.
John Tavares had a goal wiped off the board in the third period for a high stick, the kind of break that felt emblematic of the entire homestand.
"That's a hell of a hockey team right there," Stolarz said after the loss. "They're up there in the standings and we stuck with them every minute of this game. This is something that we have to build on. We have to play like this every night."
Hiller Says the Effort Was There
Head coach Jim Hiller wasn't ready to throw his group under the bus. The homestand also included losses to the Utah Mammoth, Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, Minnesota Wild, and Colorado Avalanche - a rough draw, but no excuses.
"Guys played their tail off," Hiller said. "I don't think anybody's going to question that. I'd like to see them get rewarded. I'm here to tell you we deserved better than that over that six-game homestand."
Defenceman Chris Tanev was more direct. "At the end of the day, you need to get results," he said. "That's what this league is about."
A Long Road Ahead
Toronto sits last in the Atlantic Division and is already eight points out of a playoff spot with a record of 8-12-2. The math is not friendly, but it is early enough that a run could still change things.
Tavares, a steadying voice in the dressing room, acknowledged the weight of the moment without letting it spiral. "I'd be lying if you didn't say you feel it and it's disappointing and frustrating, but you're trying to channel all that in the right way," he said. "The way the group is continuing to stay positive and stick together is what we have to do."
The Leafs hit the road next, facing the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. For a team desperate to stop the bleeding, getting out of Toronto might be exactly what they need.