Leafs Suffer 5-2 Defeat to Canadiens, Extend Losing Streak

The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a disappointing 5-2 defeat against the Montreal Canadiens on November 23, 2025. This loss marks the Leafs’ seventh in their last eight games, a troubling trend for a team that began the season with aspirations of competing for the Stanley Cup.

Coach Craig Berube observed his team start strong, controlling play early and registering the first six shots of the game. However, momentum shifted dramatically when the Canadiens capitalized on quick opportunities, leaving the Leafs struggling to regain their footing. “We’re down 2-0, but I just don’t understand why we can’t go out in the second period to dictate how we’re going to play,” Berube commented. He highlighted that the Canadiens dominated the second period, outshooting the Leafs and expanding their lead.

The Leafs recorded zero shots for a span of 10:59 during the second period, demonstrating a concerning trend with a current goal differential of minus-11 in second periods this season. “We go out there and we don’t play with any urgency or any confidence in the second period,” Berube said. He acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, “This is a veteran hockey team. It’s inexcusable, and it’s on me too. It’s on all of us.”

The Canadiens’ scoring was propelled by Noah Dobson and Josh Anderson, who each scored twice, helping the team break a five-game losing streak. Dobson found the net for the second time in the game with a one-timer from Ivan Demidov at 4:09 of the second period. Following Anderson’s goal, which pushed the score to 4-0, Berube made the decision to replace goaltender Joseph Woll, despite his solid performance of four goals allowed on 25 shots. “We were just giving freebies to them,” Berube said.

The Leafs faced further challenges when defenceman Jake McCabe exited the game after taking a puck to the face. This injury compounded the team’s existing issues, as they were already without goaltender Anthony Stolarz, team captain Auston Matthews, and several other regular players. Berube remarked on McCabe’s injury, indicating it was serious enough that he could not return to the ice.

In the aftermath of the game, John Tavares, the Leafs’ centre, reflected on the team’s inability to respond effectively after falling behind. “We just weren’t able to kind of get things going in the second period until really late, and put us in a big hole,” he noted.

Despite the defeat, forward William Nylander expressed a belief that the current challenges could ultimately strengthen the team. “It’s tough right now,” he acknowledged, “but in the end, I think it’ll be good for our group.”

Debut Spark from Xhekaj Brothers

The game also featured an exciting moment for the Canadiens as Florian Xhekaj made his NHL debut. The younger brother of defenceman Arber Xhekaj made an immediate impact, delivering a significant hit, contributing an assist, and engaging in a fight against Dakota Mermis in the third period. Florian’s performance energized the crowd at the Bell Centre, leading to chants of excitement from fans.

Arber, who was watching from the sidelines, shared his pride in his brother’s debut. “I see my younger bro throw hands like that; it’s awesome,” he said, celebrating Florian’s contributions to the game. The Xhekaj brothers became the 14th pair of brothers to play in the same game for the Canadiens, a notable achievement that added a personal touch to the rivalry.

Florian expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to play in front of family and friends, stating, “Not many guys can say they played their first NHL game at the Bell Centre against the Leafs, and then to have my brother here with me, it’s truly special.” Their family traveled from Hamilton to witness the historic moment, adding to the significance of the occasion.

As the Leafs continue to grapple with injuries and a challenging stretch in their season, they will need to regroup quickly. Currently sitting second-last in the Eastern Conference and four points away from a playoff position, the urgency for improvement is palpable. With a three-game Western road trip ahead for the Canadiens, both teams will seek to build on their respective performances as the season progresses.