The Toronto Maple Leafs will have to rediscover their defensive mojo as they take on the Boston Bruins for the second time in four days, this time at TD Garden on Tuesday. The Leafs and goalie Anthony Stolarz were spotty in a 5-3 loss in Toronto on Saturday, as they gave up a pair of goals in rapid succession in the opening period and middle frame, chasing the veteran netminder after giving up four goals on 19 shots.
Ironically, the Leafs are not having any scoring issues in the post #16 era, but have been pathetic defensively, turning over the puck frequently and allowing close-in opportunities on their netminders. At the other end, Auston Matthews has begun to find the mark, as he is tied for the club lead with John Tavares after scoring his ninth of the season on Sunday. Toronto has three players in the top 20 of NHL scoring (Tavares, William Nylander, and Matthew Knies), but since being elevated to higher in the lineup, one of the club’s most dependable performers has been winger Nick Robertson.
The 24-year-old winger had been relegated to a bottom-six role to start the season, but over the last six games, Robertson is tied for second on the club with seven points (3 goals, 4 assists), averaging just over 15 minutes per game. His +4 rating is second on the club behind Matthews.
The key for Robertson playing in a top six role is in his own end. His shot and offensive chops have never been in question, it has been his inability to not lose puck battles and gave away the puck. If he can maintain this level of performance, the Leafs may have found part of the solution as a fit with either Matthews or Tavares.
At the morning skate on Tuesday, head coach Craig Berube put together an all-USA line of Knies, Matthews, and Robertson, moving on from the overloaded top line of Knies, Matthews, and Nylander. Nylander has been reunited with Bobby McMann and Tavares on the second line. Dakota Joshua, Nicolas Roy, Matias Maccelli make up the third line, while the fourth unit has Max Domi moving to the middle between Steven Lorentz and Sammy Blais.
The Bruins have played more games than Toronto, and hold a three-point advantage in the Atlantic Division, and just as important as being tighter in their own end, the Leafs will have to avoid losing the physical battle to the Beantowners. Scott Laughton will miss his second game after taking a high hit from blueliner Nikita Zadorov, and Toronto will need to be proactive island show some pushback in the game.
| TORONTO | BOSTON | |
| Goals For Per Game: | 3.71 (2nd) | 3.19 (15th) |
| Goals Against Per Game: | 3.57 (29th) | 3.31 (24th) |
| Power Play %: | 11.8 (31st) | 20.8 (12th-T) |
| Penalty Kill %: | 83.3 (10th-T) | 83.3 (10th-T) |
| Shots For Per Game: | 28.1 (17th-T) | 26.3 (26th) |
| Shots Against Per Game: | 29.0 (20th) | 29.7 (22nd) |
| Faceoff %: | 54.9 (3rd) | 54.1 (5th) |
| (NHL rank in parenthesis) | ||
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS (8-7-1 – 17 POINTS)
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BOSTON BRUINS (10-7-0 – 20 POINTS)
NOVEMBER 11, 2025 ▪ 7:00 PM EST ▪ TD GARDEN (BOSTON, MA)
TV: TSN ▪ RADIO: SPORTSNET 590
MAPLE LEAFS HISTORY vs. BOSTON BRUINS
| All-Time Record: | 285-296-98-14 (693 Games) |
| All-Time Road Record: | 106-182-47-10 (345 Games) |
| 2024-25: | 3-0-1 |
| Last Five: | 3-1-1 |
| Last 10: | 3-3-4 |
| First Matchup Between Clubs: | December 3, 1924 (Toronto 5 vs. Boston 3) |
| All-Time Record: | 285-296-98-14 (693 Games) |
| All-Time Home Record: | 179-114-51-4 (348 Games) |
| All-Time Road Record: | 106-182-47-10 (345 Games) |
| Last Road Win vs. Opponent: | February 25, 2025 (Toronto 5 at Boston 4 – OTW) |
MAPLE LEAFS / BRUINS – 2025-26 TEAM STATS
| TORONTO | BOSTON | |
| Goals For Per Game: | 3.69 (5th) | 3.29 (12th) |
| Goals Against Per Game: | 3.75 (31st) | 3.29 (23rd) |
| Power Play %: | 17.1 (26th) | 22.2 (12th) |
| Penalty Kill %: | 80.9 (12th) | 81.3 (11th) |
| Shots For Per Game: | 27.9 (19th) | 27.1 (23rd) |
| Shots Against Per Game: | 30.8 (28th) | 29.9 (24th) |
| Faceoff %: | 54.8 (3rd) | 54.0 (4th) |
| (NHL rank in parenthesis) | ||
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