The Leafs played a fun game. They had the puck a lot, and weirdly, that led to actual offensive cycles and plays that looked skilled. The real stars were the bottom six – William Nylander was still somewhat sick, so he was kind of blah.

They scored first, and they had the lead all game.

Troy Stecher almost had a goal:

NICOLAS ROY 🚨

Deflection from Stecher’s point shot pic.twitter.com/3rL4VD3svk

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2025

this third line is it

from the defensive zone to a goal pic.twitter.com/cSWsdORgLk

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2025

The only Florida goal was a defensive breakdown by four forwards. You can’t blame John Tavares, he took so long to get there he wasn’t really guilty. Er, if you know what I mean. No one seemed to be taking it into account that he wouldn’t be quick.

Sam Reinhart scores shorthanded pic.twitter.com/Cr37eI5YXW

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2025

I’m starting to believe in Auston Matthews on the PK. See at first, he was legitimately not very good, but by persisting, even in the face of some failures, the concept is finally proven. The lesson here is you can’t make decisions about a concept on one outcome.

Matthews forces the turnover at the defensive blue line creating the two-on-one with Roy pic.twitter.com/TKCj0vHird

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2025

Scott Laughton finally did it.

Robertson chased that puck down, what a forecheck

good for Laughton to finally find the back of the net pic.twitter.com/NJnl6SWmLN

— Omar (@TicTacTOmar) December 3, 2025

Robertson, though. Funny how he’s still good off the top line…

And JT got the empty netter to make it 4-1.

What mattered about this game was not beating the very depleted Panthers, it was just the chance to have the puck and remember who the hell they are. As much as the Pittsburgh blowout was fun, this was more important.

Next game is Thursday in Carolina, so carry this spirit, guys, you are gonna need it.

Other things:

– TSN

TSN’s Hockey Insiders on trade talk surrounding the Vancouver winger, the struggling Winnipeg Jets, Laurent Brossoit available by trade, what an NHL return would look like for Alex Formenton, Olympic rink issues, and Olympic roster reveal dates.

The headline seems to have vanished there, but “the winger” is Kiefer Sherwood. He is not having a great year in terms of his impacts on offence, but prior to this season he was good middle-six player, not a merely okay one as he is right now. However, he has 12 goals on a 24% shooting percentage, which makes him overpriced no matter how many other forwards are out there in trade. Last year in Vancouver, he had 19 goals in 78 games, and he’s not shooting more, he’s actually doing it less. It’s a mirage. A mirage with a $1.5 million cap hit.

Breaking down the Maple Leafs into trade categories: Who would stay, who would go?

When your tires are spinning like the Toronto Maple Leafs’ are, you’re desperate to find a path that offers grip. Ryan Dixon categorizes who would be on the trade block and who’s safe.

Nothing new here. You know the score – no picks, no prospects other than Ben Danford, and no one on the roster who will return anything much.

The Leafs needed free agency deals that did not exist. News at eleven.

Okay, that’s it, enjoy the day off before the test tomorrow night.