Auston Matthews calls out Maple Leafs after tough loss Saturday

Fansided | March 1, 2026

The Toronto Maple Leafs' season begins to slip away, and Auston Matthews and William Nylander's comments explain the issues surrounding this group.

Feb 25, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs forward Auston Matthews (34) handles the puck against Tampa Bay Lightning during the third period at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear to be running out of answers at the worst possible time. Their loss on Saturday reinforced the current state of this team and set the reality for the Maple Leafs' management staff.