Having put itself in such playoff hole, Toronto has to make the most of recovery and practice time to battle back in contention.<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 18, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n In this Lunar New Year of the Horse,\u00a0the Maple\u00a0Leafs\u00a0intend\u00a0to be the dark\u00a0runner\u00a0in the\u00a0NHL\u00a0playoff\u00a0field.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n That will require moving up an average of at least two points on the entire Eastern Conference wild-card grid<\/a> in what\u2019s left of February, all of March and mid-April for a team not used to regular-season adversity.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n But\u00a0no better\u00a0time to find out what\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0made of and three\u00a0straight\u00a0wins before the Olympic break\u00a0gave them some life as practice resumed this week.<\/p>\n They\u2019ll have 25 games remaining when teammates Auston Matthews<\/a>, William Nylander and Oliver Ekman-Larsson return from Milan.<\/p>\n WHAT\u2019S THE VIBE IN THE ROOM<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a rough idea of how many wins it looks like it\u2019ll take to get in, but we can\u2019t be looking at the big picture,\u201d winger Steven Lorentz said. \u201cThis reset has been great. It\u2019s tough when you have to get all the way up for a game, try and recover and get right back to work.<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt seems the\u00a0whole\u00a0month of January (playing an average of almost every second night) we were up and down, up and down.\u201d<\/p>\n Lorentz and fourth-line pal Scott Laughton don\u2019t get the 5-on-5 ice time of the stars, but needed the time off just as much in their unique roles.<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to be on top of your game every single night when you\u2019re out there trying to check and buzz around,\u201d Lorentz said. \u201cSo\u00a0that rest is really important.\u201d<\/p>\n Dakota Joshua<\/a>, coming\u00a0back from a lacerated kidney<\/a>, was\u00a0playing with\u00a0Lorentz and\u00a0Laughton\u00a0a second day, an important\u00a0option\u00a0if\u00a0he\u2019s\u00a0available when games resume late next week.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have to keep our focus narrow and understand what we\u2019ve got coming up,\u201d\u00a0defenceman\u00a0Morgan Rielly said. \u201cThis is an important couple of days to get our feet and our minds going again.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re\u00a0prepared to hit the ground running.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a great opportunity\u00a0for our group to rise to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n MORE PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT<\/p>\n It was a spirited second day at the Ford Centre, concentrating on rushes, coverage and the unpopular bag skate at the conclusion. Head coach Craig Berube had near zero prep time last month to fix problem areas with the glut of games.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Morgan Rielly ‘in a lot better place’ says Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube<\/p>\n![\"domi](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/CP175642141-e1768708141940.jpg\")
Toronto Maple Leafs’ Max Domi (left) is congratulated by teammate Scott Laughton after scoring the overtime game-winning goal against the Jets during NHL action in Winnipeg on Saturday, January 17, 2026. Article content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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