Leafs Struggle Without Marner, Face Crucial Games

0:00NHL stories making news on March 1st. The Toronto Maple Leafs thought trading Mitch Marner before the 2025-26 season would make them tougher and more balanced. Instead, they're stuck at the bottom of the Atlantic Division with the third worst record in the Eastern Conference. Offense has gone flat without Marner's playmaking and their defense is leaking badly at 3.45 goals allowed per game. Their dead last in shots face 2, at 31.9 per contest, and goalie injuries have made it all worse. Since the Olympic break, the Leafs are 0 and 3 against division foes, outscored 14-5. Captain Austin Matthews led Team USA to gold in Milan, but hasn't scored in seven straight games, even with a six-game point streak. In their latest loss to Ottawa, old rivalries boiled over into post-game fights, equing playoff bad blood from last year. Matthews didn't hold back, calling the effort embarrassing and saying the team needs more pride across all zones. Now comes the maker-break stretch with the flyers, devils, and rangers teams

1:04they can beat. They need at least five points, maybe all six, before facing a brutal run against Tampa, Montreal, and other powerhouses. Special thanks to our sponsor for supporting this episode. If earbuds fall out when you sleep, this is for you, a pillow with built-in sound, to go to x