The unthinkable has happened for the Toronto Maple Leafs and their legion of fans. The storied franchise now occupies the basement of the Eastern Conference, a stark reality that set in on Sunday, November 23, 2025.
A New Low in the Standings
This embarrassing descent to the conference's last place was confirmed when the Buffalo Sabres defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-1. That victory propelled the Sabres, a team burdened by the longest active playoff drought in the NHL at 14 years, to one single point above the struggling Leafs. The situation highlights a profound disconnect for a Toronto team that began the season with Stanley Cup aspirations.
While players often avoid scrutinizing the standings early in the season, the Leafs' current predicament might necessitate a long, hard look. The hope is that this jolt of reality serves as a much-needed wake-up call for a roster brimming with talent but lacking results.
A Road Trip Amidst a Deep Slump
The Maple Leafs' immediate future looks challenging. The team has managed just one win in its last eight games and possesses a dismal 1-6-0 record in seven road games so far this season. Their troubles were compounded by a 5-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Following practices on Monday and Tuesday, the Leafs are set to embark on a crucial five-game road trip, starting Wednesday in Columbus against the Blue Jackets. Columbus has already proven to be a tough opponent for Toronto, having won both previous meetings this season.
There is a potential bright spot on the horizon. The team could receive a boost with the possible return of captain Auston Matthews and forward Matthew Knies from injury this week. However, as history shows, the return of two players, no matter how skilled, is unlikely to single-handedly reverse the fortunes of a team struggling as a collective unit.
The Stark Numbers and Player Reaction
Through games played on Saturday, the Leafs found themselves ahead of only four teams in the overall NHL standings: the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, and Nashville Predators. The team's record sits at 9-10-3 for 21 points. A year ago at this time, they were a much healthier 13-7-2 with 28 points and leading the Atlantic Division.
The underlying statistics reveal a team with a significant imbalance. The Leafs are fifth in the NHL in goals scored, yet they have a concerning goal differential of minus-8. This points directly to systemic issues in their defensive play.
After the loss in Montreal, captain John Tavares addressed the mounting frustration. "We're not happy with not being able to get things rolling," Tavares told reporters. "I don't want to use the word 'frustrating,' but we're continuing to work through things and find our way and stay with it. It's not an excuse to say it's a long season, but it can be heavy when you want to analyze everything up until this point."
The U.S. Thanksgiving Benchmark
The timing of the Leafs' slump is particularly concerning as the NHL calendar approaches U.S. Thanksgiving, a milestone many analysts use as a reliable predictor of playoff teams. History shows that the majority of teams in a playoff spot at the holiday go on to qualify for the postseason.
In the 2024 season, six of the eight teams in an Eastern Conference playoff spot at U.S. Thanksgiving ultimately made the playoffs. The Leafs have one game remaining before the holiday—the Wednesday matchup in Columbus—and a loss would solidify their position as a team on the outside looking in.
Despite the gloom, a sliver of hope remains due to the tight standings in the Atlantic Division. As of Saturday, a mere six points separated the last-place Leafs from the first-place Detroit Red Wings. The Montreal Canadiens also demonstrated last season that a comeback is possible, rallying from last place at U.S. Thanksgiving to secure a playoff berth.
Nevertheless, continued losses on this upcoming road trip will inevitably intensify calls for change, with head coach Craig Berube likely facing the most scrutiny. For now, the Maple Leafs' sole focus must be on ensuring their residency in the Eastern Conference basement is a short-lived one, starting with a complete, sixty-minute effort in Columbus.
