Last night, the Leafs only took 15 shots on net against the LA Kings in a 4-3 overtime loss at home. 15 shots on goal is the fewest the Leafs have had in a game since January 2017 – a 4-2 win against the New Jersey Devils. The Leafs scored four in a flurry in the first period (Matthews, Kadri, Bozak, Brown) and then literally coasted to the buzzer.

John Tavares scored twice, and Bobby McMann scored as well. The Leafs had the lead twice in this game, but the record low shot total wasn't a consequence of taking their foot off the gas. Their feet were never near the gas as they took 4 shots in the first and second periods, and then a whopping 7 in the third when the game was tied.

The Leafs had one power play in this game, the Kings had two. No one took a penalty in the second half of the game. Oh, and in case you missed it, Auston Matthews didn't play and won't for about a week.

Matthews likely out 1 week, Stolarz day to day for Maple Leafs | NHL.com
Captain sustained lower-body injury against Bruins; goalie has upper-body injury
NHL logoDave McCarthy

The fourth line last year was penciled in as the second line for this game, but they played less than Nic Roy's line who played 18 minutes. Tavares' first line played over 21 minutes up front and were the only line not to get completely hammered in shots as they almost broke even. Roy's line did pleasently well in xG against the Kopitar-Kempe line while Tavares held off the Byfield-Fiala line. The Lorentz line was unplayable – they recorded zero shot attempts.

This is what the Leafs shots trend looks like this year. It's been going down and has dropped below 44% over their last 10 games. To their credit, expected goals is better. Their shooting is buoying their results and goaltending is almost respectable. But, man, they are absent in the offensive zone.

Cathy shared this in the GDT and I think it's worth repeating here. The Leafs are a black hole offensively when up by one goal. In their hay day they were upwards of +20% danger according to HockeyViz. As recently as two seasons ago they were +13%. Last year it was +5% and this year it's an astonishing -41%. Their offense when up by one is the worst in the league, the only teams close are the Dallas and San Jose. Only one of those two surprised me.

A bright side.

Kings’ Anze Kopitar will finish career without scoring in Toronto
Kopitar has three goals in 28 career games against the Leafs – all at home.
Daily FaceoffSteven Ellis

David Kämpf and the Leafs are done.

David Kämpf on waivers today to terminate his contract
This long drama is finally over.
PPP LeafsCathy Squires
The end of the David Kampf saga in Toronto, and the strange process that got us here
The David Kampf saga is finally reaching its conclusion. Following a preseason in which he did not make the team, Kampf was sent down to the AHL Marlies, where he played four games before deciding enough was enough. Rather than playing out the remaining year and a half on his deal — he was set […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAnthony Petrielli

Here is what Berube said pregame.

Craig Berube on why he believes the Leafs can snap out of their current funk: “We have a veteran group, and I have full trust in them... We have enough talent and determination to pull through”
Ahead of Thursday’s game against LA, Craig Berube discussed the injuries to Auston Matthews and Anthony Stolarz, inserting Dakota Mermis into the lineup, and his confidence level in the team’s ability to pull out of its current rut. What is the key to getting through this stretch with Auston Matthews and Anthony Stolarz out of […]
Maple Leafs HotstoveAlec Brownscombe

And then postgame. Here's what I could transcribe from his opening quote. But it's right here for you to listen to as well.

"We gotta make a play to get out of the zone and we didn't do a good job of it. We sat back a little too much. (Not) advancing that puck up the ice with speed, jumping, getting into holes. It's confidence for me a little bit, and puck play. Plays are there, we're not making them, we're not seeing it well enough right now, but we gotta pick up our pace. We gotta be more confident in those plays."

He also touched on a lack of offense leads to more time on defense, so even if he said he liked how they defended, presumably they had to defend way too much because the team is massively struggling to play with the puck. However, he still said the most important thing to work on is the defensive play right now.

I think they could use Ben Danford back there. And Jake Gardiner. and Cale Makar.

ECHL players have been working without a contract since June. The PHPA has written an update on where things stand. Their demands are mandatory rest periods and fair wages based on revenue.

An Open Letter From ECHL Players to ECHL Fans
Today, we’re writing to share an honest update about the state of our collective bargaining negotiations with the ECHL.

1000 Rats for the Rat King.

Marchand gets 1,000th NHL point, Panthers defeat Capitals | NHL.com
Forward reaches milestone with 2 assists, Reinhart scores twice for Florida
NHL logoGeorge Richards

Mon dieu. Lol.

NHL Power Rankings: Where each team stands at season’s quarter mark
Just a handful of games separate the NHL’s 32 clubs from the new campaign’s quarter mark. And the first chapter of 2025-26 has no doubt been a memorable one.
Sportsnet.caSonny Sachdeva

For the court drama fans.

Kitchener Rangers prospect Oscar Hemming changes course after ‘threats’ from IIHF
Finnish forward faces three-year ban from international play if he plays in British Columbia Hockey League
The RecordJosh Brown
From The Branches