Toronto Maple Leafs on verge of setting ugly franchise record

The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost seven of their last eight games and are now just one point away from rock bottom in the Atlantic Division.

Thursday's 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild marked the Leafs' fifth consecutive loss at Scotiabank Arena and the fourth straight game in which they've given up four or more goals.

The current six-game homestand is the longest of the season for Toronto, and despite having one more home game against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday, the Leafs have already tied a franchise record for the fewest points earned during a homestand of five or more games, matching a mark set during the 1984-85 season.

If the Leafs lose to the Oilers on Saturday, they'll set another unwanted franchise record for the most losses during a single homestand (6).

The Toronto Maple Leafs have tied a franchise record for the fewest points earned during a homestand of five or more games. (Dan Hamilton/Imagn Images)

Despite things not being great in Leafland, Toronto is still just five points out of a playoff spot in their division, and their schedule gets a little easier after Saturday's game against the Oilers.

Three of their next four opponents have a losing record, and the four teams have a combined record of 25-39-7 so far this season, so it could be a crucial opportunity for Toronto to get the train back on the tracks.

Following Thursday's loss, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was asked by reporters what head coach Jim Hiller has been telling the room after the team's recent string of defeats. His answer was somewhat surprising.

"He usually doesn't speak after games, so I'm sure we'll continue to try to clean some stuff up, go over video and make adjustments," Matthews told reporters.

"At the end of the day, it's just minimizing those big mistakes or turnovers, especially against other teams' top lines."

Auston Matthews says head coach Jim Hiller hasn’t been speaking to the team after games: “He usually doesn’t speak after games, so I’m sure we’ll continue to try to clean some stuff up, go over video and make adjustments. At the end of the day, it’s just minimizing those big mistakes or turnovers, especially against other teams’ top lines.” 🎥: @MapleLeafs #Leafs

— Leafslatest (@Leafslatest) November 13, 2026

A coach not speaking to the room after a win or loss seems a little unorthodox, but it hasn't been Toronto's biggest problem.

The Maple Leafs have had a tough time keeping the puck out of their own net, surrendering 74 goals in 21 games, which is the third-most in the NHL, behind only the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks, who are both sitting at the bottom of their respective divisions.

Hiller acknowledged after Thursday's game that it's an issue the team needs to address, although he insists there are still plenty of reasons for optimism.

"We need to solve some of the issues during the play so we aren't giving up four or five goals a night," he said.

"I see lots of hope. I see lots of hope. I see it all over the place. I really do."

The Leafs will welcome Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to Scotiabank Arena on Saturday night to conclude their six-game homestand.