Toronto traffic forces NHL team to walk to game against Maple Leafs

Maple Leafs players know all too well how brutal Toronto traffic can be, especially on game nights.

Star forward William Nylander even made headlines for taking the subway to games last year to avoid getting stuck in Toronto's notorious downtown gridlock.

But visiting teams from smaller, less congested cities often aren't as prepared — and on Sunday, the Utah Hockey Club learned that the hard way.

With their team bus coming to a standstill near the CN Tower, players were instructed to walk to Scotiabank Arena as they got set to play the Leafs.

Defenceman Maveric L'Amoureux narrated the unexpected stroll in a TikTok video posted by the NHL's newest franchise.

@utahhockeyclub Walk to work type of night 🚶‍♂️ #NHL #Toronto #Hockey ♬ original sound - Utah Hockey Club

"Walking pregame to get to the rink because there's way too much traffic," the giggling rookie blueliner told the camera operator. "The bus is not moving at all. So it's pretty much the whole team walking the streets."

L'Amoureux also noted that it was likely the first time he and his teammates had ever walked to an NHL game.

"I think it's a first for everyone. Never saw that before," he added.

While traffic is a common problem in Toronto, the city's 120th annual Santa Claus Parade certainly added to the chaos, with multiple street closures enacted throughout the 6km route.

Thankfully, Utah's players made it to the game in time to hit the ice for the 7 pm puck drop.

But perhaps the trek wore out their legs a little as the Leafs ultimately claimed a 3-2 victory over the visitors.

While nobody in Toronto enjoys the city's traffic problem, it might secretly be working in the Leafs' favour. Visiting teams stuck navigating the chaos could be arriving at the rink a little less fresh, which might play a hand in explaining the Leafs' impressive 9-3-0 record at home this season.

Riding a four-game winning streak, Toronto, who sits atop the NHL's Atlantic Division, will try to stay hot as they take on the Florida Panthers on the road this Wednesday.