The Toronto Maple Leafs learned a hard lesson on Saturday night: a full 60-minute effort is non-negotiable in the National Hockey League. Their failure to deliver one cost them a victory, as the Montreal Canadiens edged out a 2-1 shootout win at Scotiabank Arena, snapping the Leafs' three-game winning streak.
Hildeby Shines in Net Amidst Leafs' Struggles
While the team result was disappointing, the performance of goaltender Dennis Hildeby was a definitive bright spot. Elevated to the starting role after Joseph Woll was placed on injured reserve, Hildeby was outstanding throughout the contest. He made a series of critical saves, including a glove stop on a Zachary Bolduc breakaway in the second period that drew a standing ovation, and a pivotal pad save on Mike Matheson in overtime.
His efforts kept the Leafs in a game where they were largely outplayed. "He was excellent throughout the game," could summarize the night for the young netminder, who could not be faulted for the loss.
A Costly Second Period and Power Play Woes
The game's turning point was a disastrous second period for Toronto, where they were outshot 13-3 by their historic rivals. The Canadiens capitalized on this dominance with a power-play goal at 8:25. With Troy Stecher in the box for tripping, Juraj Slafkovsky found Cole Caufield at the back door for an easy tap-in and a 1-0 Montreal lead.
The Leafs' own power play continued to be a significant concern, failing to score on three opportunities. The unit is now in a deep slump, going 2-for-25 over its last 11 games, a glaring issue the team must address.
Laughton's Unusual Tally and a Shootout Defeat
The Leafs finally found an equalizer in the third period, courtesy of Scott Laughton's third goal in as many games. The marker came in unconventional fashion—a shorthanded breakaway where Laughton surprised Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes with a powerful slapshot at 10:28.
Despite the momentum shift, the Leafs could not find a winner in regulation or overtime, sending the game to a shootout. There, Alexandre Texier scored the decisive goal, slipping the puck through Hildeby's legs to secure the extra point for Montreal. The loss overshadowed a milestone night for defenceman Morgan Rielly, who skated in his 900th NHL game, becoming just the eighth player in franchise history to reach that mark.
The takeaway for the Maple Leafs is clear: sporadic effort and inconsistent periods will not yield success in the tightly contested 2025-26 NHL season. The search for a complete, 60-minute performance continues.
