The Olympic success at Milan-Cortina has clearly faded into oblivion for Auston Matthews after a disappointing turn of events on the NHL ice lately. The Toronto Maple Leafs have played three games since the Olympic break, and each one of them has ended in a cruel defeat.
The losses have weighed heavily on the captain, who couldn’t help but admit the massive crisis the team faces as it navigates the season.
Auston Matthews Weighs in on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Disastrous Post-Olympic Run
No two ways about it: the Maple Leafs’ 2025-26 season has officially reached a point of no return. Over the last three games, the Leafs have been reduced to dust by the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Florida Panthers, and the Ottawa Senators, and in each case, by significant margins. The Maple Leafs’ playoff odds look more bleak than ever, and Matthews is cognizant of that.
The captain, who successfully led Team USA to a dominant victory at Milano-Cortina, is desperate for NHL glory now. Unfortunately, this season has only gotten worse for the Leafs of late, but despite all odds, Matthews believes the team must keep a positive attitude. He wants his teammates to feel proud to play for such a historic team, even though its position in the standings is far from encouraging.
“Just bad, just fairly embarrassing, to be honest with you. We need to have more pride in our play, no matter where we’re at, no matter what the situation is,” Matthews told the media.
Matthews: “Just bad, just fairly embarrassing, to be honest with you. We need to have more pride in our play, no matter where we’re at, no matter what the situation is.” #Leafs
— Terry Koshan 🇺🇦 (@koshtorontosun) March 1, 2026
Defenseman Morgan Rielly, whose future with the Maple Leafs has been the subject of extensive debate on social media, also believes that, at this critical juncture of the season, the Leafs ought to play better.
Indeed, the team needs to put up stronger performances to have a serious shot at the playoffs. Rielly called Toronto’s 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Senators at Scotiabank Arena “confusing” and “unacceptable.”
The Leafs’ season has been tumultuous to say the least, and while they made a sort of comeback just before the NHL halted for the Olympics, on current form, Toronto’s stars are thoroughly unrecognizable.
Questions have also been raised on the future of head coach Craig Berube, with speculation mounting that he could be close to walking out the door.
