‘They’re Upset About Things And They’re Pissed Off’: Maple Leafs, Morgan Rielly, Searching For Answers As Sense Of Urgency Mounts
The Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves at a critical point of the season. Adversity strikes at different parts of the year for all 32 teams, and the Leafs are in the thick of it.
Losers of five of their last six games, including back-to-back defeats against division rivals Florida and Ottawa, the Leafs are still in the thick of the Atlantic Division race. But with Tampa Bay now tied with them at 81 points and Florida four points ahead, the Leafs have two games in hand, and the urgency to turn things around is rising.
“We've got to get that battle level and that urgency level up. Guys understand that. They're not very happy right now, which is a good thing,” said head coach Craig Berube after practice on Monday. “The message, too, is that we're right there. I mean, we've got two games in hand here. We've got to take care of our business and start with tonight's game only and focus on that and go from there.”
'The Details In Our Game Haven't Been There': Maple Leafs Lose To Desperate Senators In Hunt For The PlayoffsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are playing their worst hockey of the season and that was magnified on Saturday when they fell 4-2 to a surging Ottawa Senators club looking to stake their claim into the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Berube acknowledged that energy levels have been an issue, something that has contributed to the team’s struggles. While he noted that Monday’s practice was quiet ahead of the club’s evening matchup with the Calgary Flames, he believed it was for a good reason.
“I didn't love the energy levels the last couple of games, to be honest with you. But, I feel like I felt today in practice they were better. And, it was quiet, but I think that they're not very happy right now. Our group, they're upset about things and they're pissed off. So that's a good thing. But I find that the energy is better today,” said Berube.
One player feeling the weight of the team’s struggles is Morgan Rielly. Through 66 games, the former No.5 overall pick has just 33 points (7G, 26A) in 66 games – his lowest point total since the shortened 2020-21 season.
The 31-year-old has just one assist in his last six games and has posted a minus-five rating over that stretch. His recent play has mirrored the team’s struggles, something Berube pointed out.
“Well, it's dropped off like the rest of our team,” Berube said of Rielly’s play. “With the travel and that stretch we had on the road. And again, energy. He was, he was going pretty good there for a while. And I believe he'll be back. I think again, it's getting the energy back and the excitement back, being at home here now for a bit.”
'I Expect Myself To Handle Any Situation': Can Morgan Rielly's Struggling Offensive Numbers Be Attributed To Maple Leafs' Constant Defensive Partner Shuffle?Rielly has tried out several different defensive partners this season as his contributions on
offense dwindle.
For Rielly, the challenge now is not ony helping the team navigate through adversity but also himself. The Leafs’ leadership group, including Rielly, is tasked with finding solutions, and fast.
“We're in a position now where we're dealing with a little bit of adversity,” Rielly said. “And we've got to push through. We're capable of doing that. I think the test for us at this time is good, and it's an important one for us to deal with head-on, and we're going to work right through it.”
“I think when you come back from the 4 Nations break, those games mean more. If you look at our division, it's tight. The Eastern Conference is tight, and so your games are important. The points are important. You can't afford to give points away, especially within your division,” he added.
'It Weighs On Everybody': Auston Matthews Takes Maple Leafs' Morning Skate Off Amid Scoring StrugglesMatthews has scored 23 goals in 50 games this season, well below last year's total.
With just 16 games left in the regular season, it’s an important stretch coming up for the Leafs. Not only does the club need to start compiling points, it’s going to be about rediscovering their identity, tightening up their game, finding their form, and building the right habits for the playoffs.
As Rielly indicates, the time to respond is now.
“It's just about coming together and acknowledging that we need to improve and the importance of this time of year and the points that are at stake every night,” said Rielly. “And improving on the areas that we've identified. So it's a good test for us at this time of year. I think it's a really good opportunity for our group to improve and overcome it.”
Stay updated with the most interesting Maple Leafs stories, analysis, breaking news and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News to never miss a story.
Topics
-
'The Details In Our Game Haven't Been There': Maple Leafs Lose To Desperate Senators In Hunt For The Playoffs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are playing their worst hockey of the season and that was magnified on Saturday when they fell 4-2 to a surging Ottawa Senators club looking to stake their claim into the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
‘I Love It Here, I’ve Said I Want To Stay’: John Tavares Reaffirms Commitment To Maple Leafs Amid Contract Uncertainty Following Loss To Avalanche
After rumors surfaced following the NHL’s trade deadline that the Toronto Maple Leafs had considered trading Mitch Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, John Tavares was ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 9 -
Are The Maple Leafs Mistaking Mitch Marner's Decision To Decline a Trade As A Sign Of Loyalty?
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Mitch Marner appear to be on the same page...for now. As GM Brad Treliving says, the two sides are aligned following a dramatic trade deadline that included asking ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Where Could Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Sign In The Summer? Five Potential Fits
Following last week’s NHL trade deadline, a major storyline has been the future of Toronto Maple Leafs star right winger Mitch Marner.Yahoo Sports - 5d -
The Maple Leafs Did Very Maple Leaf Things At The NHL Trade Deadline
Brock Nelson was out there. Mikko Rantanen was out there. Brad Marchand was out there.Yahoo Sports - Mar. 8 -
Giroux breaks 2nd-period tie, Senators beat Maple Leafs 4-2 for 6th straight victory
Claude Giroux broke a second-period tie on a power play and the Ottawa Senators beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Saturday night for their sixth straight victoryABC News - 1d -
Bennett's power-play goals lift short-handed Panthers over Maple Leafs 3-2
Sam Bennett scored power-play goals late in each of the first two periods, Sergei Bobrovsky made 23 saves and the short-handed Florida Panthers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Thursday night ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
The Wraparound: What's Most Concerning About The Maple Leafs Right Now?
Kick off a new week with rapid-fire NHL and hockey discussions on The Hockey News Wraparound Show.Yahoo Sports - 3h -
'We'll See What Happens With That': Marlies Coach John Gruden Hasn't Spoken To Ryan Reaves Following Maple Leafs' Assignment To AHL
Reaves hasn't been in the Maple Leafs' lineup since Mar. 2 against the Penguins.Yahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Twins’ Royce Lewis will miss start of season after hurting his hamstring
Lewis is coming off a 2024 season that saw him appear in just 82 games due to quadriceps and adductor issues.Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Texans to pick up Derek Stingley's Jr.'s fifth-year option ahead of extension
The Houston Texans will have Derek Stingley Jr. under contract through 2029 after agreeing to pick up one final year on his rookie deal.Yahoo Sports - 5h -
MLB hyped up a video game-like replay view from the Tokyo Dome and fans justifiably hated it
The on-field replay did not go over how MLB expected.Yahoo Sports - 6h -
The Players Championship 2025 prize money: Full payout from the $25 million purse
Here's how the $25 million purse will be paid out this week at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.Yahoo Sports - 23h -
Auburn basketball’s first round opponent revealed ahead of 2025 NCAA Tournament
Auburn basketball will face either Alabama State or St. Francis in March Madness to open its 2025 NCAA Tournament men’s bracket.Yahoo Sports - 1d
More in Sports
-
Shohei Ohtani opens up about being in the spotlight ahead of Dodgers' Tokyo games: 'Don't let those kids down'
Ohtani sat down with CBS Evening News before the MLB opening series against the CubsCBS Sports - 19m -
WVU snub 'robbery' at highest level, gov. says
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey wants his attorney general to investigate and work closely with the NCAA to ensure the men's tournament selection process is transparent and fair.ESPN - 21m -
S. Alabama has NIT invite nixed: 'Unacceptable'
South Alabama had its invitation to the NIT rescinded after the Jaguars were informed they would be playing, a decision the coach called "unacceptable."ESPN - 21m -
Stanley on deal: Happy to give Ravens 'bargain'
Ronnie Stanley chose to re-sign with the Ravens for a team-friendly three-year, $60 million deal on March 8 instead of testing free agency. His decision came down to loyalty, he said Monday.ESPN - 21m -
Deion wants foe for CU spring game; Cuse willing
Colorado coach Deion Sanders wants to save spring football games by having teams practice against another team for a week before playing them in a scrimmage.ESPN - 21m