The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-3 on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, snapping a three-game losing streak. The victory came after a troubling losing streak and the firing of an assistant coach. Here’s a look at three positives and three negatives from the Maple Leafs' performance:
Three Positives
- Offensive Outburst: The Maple Leafs found their scoring touch, netting six goals against a struggling Penguins team. William Nylander led the charge with two goals and two assists, breaking an 11-game goalless drought. Matias Maccelli and Steven Lorentz also contributed goals, providing crucial offensive support. Bobby McMann sealed the win with an empty-netter.
- Max Domi's Breakthrough: Max Domi scored the game-winning goal, ending a 23-game goalless streak. Beyond the goal, Domi also contributed an assist and his overall energy was a catalyst for the team. His performance provided a much-needed boost to the Maple Leafs' morale.
- Chris Tanev's Return: Veteran defenseman Chris Tanev returned to the lineup after a 23-game absence due to an upper-body injury. While he had a tough start, getting beat on Bryan Rust’s breakaway goal, Tanev settled into the game and provided stability on the blue line, logging 17:23 of ice time. His presence is a significant upgrade to the Leafs' defensive core.
Three Negatives
- Power Play Struggles Continue: Despite the firing of assistant coach Marc Savard, the Maple Leafs' power play remained ineffective, going 0-for-2 against the Penguins. The team's inability to capitalize on power play opportunities continues to be a concern.
- Defensive Lapses: While the team ultimately secured the win, defensive breakdowns still plagued their performance. Joseph Woll allowed three goals on 32 shots, and the team gave up multiple breakaways. Bryan Rust's first-period goal came off a breakaway where he got behind Nicolas Roy and Chris Tanev. Anthony Mantha's third-period goal also exposed some vulnerability, squeezing past Woll.
- Inconsistent Goaltending: Although Joseph Woll recorded the win, his performance was not stellar. Allowing three goals, including a questionable one to Mantha, raises concerns about the team's consistency in net. Woll has six wins in 11 starts.
