The Toronto Maple Leafs may be banged up, but they’re playing some of their best hockey of the season. Unfortunately, on Wednesday night (and throughout the entire season) it wasn’t enough against the Detroit Red Wings, losing 2-1 in overtime.
Yes, the extra point could come into play down the road, but the Maple Leafs should be satisfied with their performance against a strong Red Wings hockey club. While most of the team had a strong game, nothing compares to the type of performance goaltender Joseph Woll put on, especially in the first period when he made several ten-bell saves and kept the Maple Leafs in the game.
Woll stopped 14 of 15 shots he faced in the first, letting in a late goal to tie the game 1-1, which was a deflating way to end the period based on how well Woll played. You can tell the Maple Leafs’ netminder is finding his game of late, and it’s this kind of athleticism that allows for him to make saves he has no business making:
Joseph WOW
🎥: Sportsnet | NHL pic.twitter.com/nZbpwwmLW1
— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) January 22, 2026
Woll wasn’t the only Maple Leaf who came to play against Detroit as Scott Laughton was absolutely everywhere. Laughton opened the scoring just under five minutes into the game, on a shift where he was in the right place at the right time, and it paid off in a big way. Laughton scored his seventh of the season and continues to evolve as the heartbeat of this team. His chemistry with Steven Lorentz was on full display against the Red Wings. The dynamic duo not only created chances five-on-five, they played a huge role on the penalty kill, and were a big reason why Detroit went 0-for-2 with the man advantage
It’s worth noting Leafs’ defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson only played 1:50 and left during the first period with a lower-body injury, after what was a very awkward fall in the corner. That’s all this team needs right now, another defenceman unavailable, and it’s especially worse because of the fact OEL has been the Leafs most consistent blueliner all season long. Let’s hope it’s not long term as not only do the Maple Leafs Ekman-Larsson in their lineup, the Olympics are on the horizon and he deserves a chance to represent Team Sweden based on how well he’s played this season.
The rest of the blueline stepped up in a major way, with Jake McCabe leading the way almost playing 30 minutes. Simon Benoit was as physical as he’s been all season long, which is exactly the type of game he’ll need to play if he doesn’t want to be included in a pre-Olympic break trade.
The Maple Leafs move on as the only thing that matters now is the fact Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights come to town Friday night. Boo birds incoming, it’s going to be a wild start to the weekend at Scotiabank Arena.
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