The Toronto Maple Leafs begin their third back-to-back of the month of October at home against the struggling Calgary Flames, the current bottom-dwellers in the Western Conference. As we know, a team struggling does not mean much when they are visiting Toronto, because there are always players from Southern Ontario looking to put on a show.
In the case of the Flames, former Leaf Nazem Kadri will be in the lineup, and because of the slow start, the rumors about the 35-year-old being shopped to teams looking for a second-line center have begun to percolate. Thankfully, the stupidity of the Leafs being interested in bringing Kadri back has dissipated, since Toronto does not need another grizzled veteran on the downslope of a career, especially one who cost them victories in the playoffs on two separate occasions with his lack of discipline.
The chatter also made no sense whatsoever after Toronto re-signed John Tavares to a four-year contract extension in late June. The former Leafs captain’s deal with a $4.38 million cap hit could be the best signing or re-signing of the summer. The deal is not only economical, but the second time that the Mississauga native has taken less to stay in Toronto, but the former #1 overall pick continues to be a picture of consistency.
Tavares has 12 points in nine games; second in points to William Nylander’s 14, is tied with Auston Matthews with five goals, and scored the overtime game-winner against Buffalo for career goal #499. On a recent podcast, it was asked whether Tavares has a good chance for the Hall of Fame, and my response was that he is a lock, as a two-time World Junior and Olympic gold medalist, as well as his 1126 career points and 500 or more points with two teams.
The Leafs will need more out of others going forward, as a 4-4-1 start has them out of the top three spots in what is beginning to look like a flawed and average Atlantic Division.
As with Saturday’s game, Nylander is going to be a game-time decision. Calle Jarnkrok is out, and if Nylander cannot go, veteran Sammy Blais will get his first start in a Leaf uniform. Anthony Stolarz will go for Toronto, which means that Cayden Primeau will start in Columbus on Wednesday.
OCTOBER 28, 2025 ▪ 6:00 PM EST ▪ SCOTIABANK ARENA (TORONTO, ON)
TV: TSN ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (4-4-1 – 9 POINTS)
CALGARY FLAMES (2-7-1 – 5 POINTS)
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY vs. CALGARY FLAMES
| All-Time Record: | 74-63-12-6 (155 Games) |
| All-Time Home Record: | 42-21-7-4 (74 Games) |
| 2024-25: | 2-0-0 |
| Last Five: | 5-0-0 |
| Last 10: | 8-1-1 |
| First Matchup Between Clubs: | November 5, 1972 (Toronto 2 at Atlanta 2) |
| All-Time Record: | 74-63-12-6 (155 Games) |
| All-Time Home Record: | 42-21-7-4 (74 Games) |
| All-Time Road Record: | 32-42-5-2 (81 Games) |
| Last Home Win vs. Opponent: | March 17, 2025 (Toronto 6 vs. Calgary 2) |
MAPLE LEAFS / FLAMES – 2025-26 TEAM STATS
| TORONTO | CALGARY | |
| Goals For Per Game: | 3.44 (9th-T) | 2.00 (32nd) |
| Goals Against Per Game: | 3.67 (27th) | 3.50 (25th) |
| Power Play %: | 13.0 (28th) | 12.2 (29th) |
| Penalty Kill %: | 80.0 (14th-T) | 75.0 (18th-T) |
| Shots For Per Game: | 28.2 (17th) | 27.8 (18th-T) |
| Shots Against Per Game: | 28.8 (16th-T) | 29.7 (20th) |
| Faceoff %: | 56.1 (2nd) | 46.7 (26th-T) |
| (NHL rank in parenthesis) | ||
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