NHL

Maple Leafs’ Unexpected Woes Have Fan Base Baffled

Having last won the Stanley Cup in 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the longest drought in the NHL championships.
Maple Leafs’ Unexpected Woes Have Fan Base Baffled
Auston Matthews (34), William Nylander (88), and Morgan Rielly (44) of the Toronto Maple Leafs talk before a power play in the first period against the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena in Washington on Dec. 18, 2025. Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
Donald Laible
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Do the Toronto Maple Leafs have a Plan B for this NHL season?

The 2025–2026 version of Toronto hockey, coming off a second round postseason clash with the Florida Panthers last spring, offered hope to the Maple Leafs’ fan base for this season. Toronto took the Panthers, winners of the last two Stanley Cups, to a Game 7 played at the Maple Leafs’ home rink. The 6–1 defeat by Florida was a painful sendoff to an off-season, after Toronto compiled a 52–26 during the regular schedule.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.