Leafs Takeaways: One win won't change team trade mentality

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Had the Maple Leafs not won Saturday after Auston Matthews was granted a rare overtime penalty shot, it would have been crushing for the captain and more fuel for his critics.

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Published Jan 31, 2026 • 4 minute read

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Auston Matthews and his team's fans celebrate Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and his team’s fans celebrate a game-winning shootout goal against the Vancouver Canucks on January 31, 2026. Photo by Darryl Dyck /The Canadian PressArticle content

A 3-2 shootout win changes little in the standings for the Maple Leafs, but drastically improves the mood in their dressing room.

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When Auston Matthews backhanded the winner Saturday in Vancouver, it lifted a Grouse Mountain of pressure the team carried west with its five-game home losing streak that stretched to six in Seattle.

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They avoided a regulation defeat to the NHL’s worst team with a strong third period and got some offence from too-silent stars.

More takeaways from Toronto’s first win since it beat Winnipeg two weeks ago:

MARKET HEATS UP

One win won’t make general manager Brad Treliving stop painting ‘for sale’ signs as he considers the dire standings and the March 6 trade deadline. The two points, coupled with Florida’s loss to Winnipeg, only moved the Leafs to eight back of an Eastern Conference wild-card spot, in a 59-point, three-way knot with Ottawa, while Washington and Columbus are also two ahead.

The belief is Treliving began exploring options for veterans to recoup assets the Leafs could get younger with next season, or try to maximize the affordable contract of a surprise such as winger Bobby McMann.

But as for moving a core piece, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported the Leafs have been in touch with Matthews’ representatives to make sure he’s still on board for the duration of his current contract ($13.25 million US through 2027-28) and have received such assurances.

Had the Leafs not won Saturday after Matthews was granted the rare overtime penalty shot, it would have been crushing for the captain and more fuel for his critics.

With only two games until the Olympic break and roster freeze, a back-to-back Monday and Tuesday in Calgary and Edmonton, Treliving would then have a short window of six games after the tournament in Milan to declare its market intentions.

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WELCOME BACK, WILLY AND WOLLY

In the most recent seven games William Nylander missed because of a groin injury, Toronto lost six and no one passed him as the team’s leading scorer, not even Matthews, underlining his importance.

Nylander had a chance to win the game in overtime, as did Matthews, but also used his speed to prevent a Vancouver goal and did start the shootout with a goal. There were no power plays for either team in the game, so Nylander didn’t have extra room, but sill played close to 21 minutes in his return, lifting centre John Tavares’ fortunes as well.

Coach Craig Berube credited goalie Joseph Woll’s late third-period save on an odd-man rush for getting the Leafs at least a point. Woll then made two shootout saves, having not won since he had shut out Vancouver at home and beaten the league-best Avalanche.

ONE D IN, ONE D OUT

Morgan Rielly’s near-perfect attendance this year could take a hit.

The defenceman, who has missed just one game this season, didn’t come out for the third period because of an upper body injury. Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Jake McCabe picked up much of the slack, each playing in excess of 27 minutes.

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We would be inclined to think Berube looks past some first-game hiccups by Marshall Rifai, who was in his first Leafs action this season and just his third NHL start. Rifai had some communication and puck-handling issues in his 9:40 of ice time, one leading to Vancouver’s first goal.

But Berube admires Rifai taking a four-month recovery from wrist surgery last autumn when he was on the cusp of making the team. The Leafs were cursed by blueline injuries that Rifai could have filled, after he waited patiently for such an opportunity all last season.

“You could use that time (recuperating) to recalibrate and find areas where you can grow,” Rifai told media in Vancouver on Friday at practice. “I think that’s probably why I’m being rewarded here with a call-up.

“When you don’t get to do what you love every day, you have to take a step back. It leaves room for gratitude. When I came back (to the Marlies after surgery), I was fresh, which I think is a big thing in the long process.

“I’ve played a lot of pro hockey here and I try to use that to my advantage instead of thinking it was a disadvantage. I get to come in fresh, in the middle of the season. Being away from the game a little bit makes you appreciate what we get to do here every day. I try to look at things through that lens.

“Everyone has a role on the team and you have to lean into your role, whatever it is.”

Lhornby@postmedia.com

X: @sunhornby

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Leafs Takeaways: One win won’t change team trade mentality

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