Every game carries equal weight in the standings, but the Toronto Maple Leafs delivered a significantly better effort than they displayed during Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Wild. Toronto fought valiantly in a closely-contested game against the Detroit Red Wings, losing 2-1 in overtime. Maple Leafs rookie Easton Cowan was stripped of the puck by Red Wings standout defenceman Moritz Seider, who found captain Dylan Larkin for the overtime winner.

Joseph Woll was arguably the story of the game. Coming off his worst performance of the year, Woll delivered an emphatic response, making 39 saves on 41 shots, while saving nearly a goal above expected at 5-on-5, via Natural Stat Trick.

Scott Laughton opened the scoring, connecting on a tic-tac-toe sequence with Calle Jarnkrok and Steven Lorentz. Simon Edvinsson equalized in the final minute of the first frame, and the remainder of regulation was scoreless.

With 32 games remaining in the regular season, the Maple Leafs are currently out of a playoff spot. Next up: Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights, in what will be the most emotionally charged game of the 2025-26 calendar.

Joseph Woll appeared to be rather nonchalant following Monday’s loss to the Minnesota Wild, where he was pulled after two periods. This may have been a good thing. Woll shook off Monday’s game and delivered an outstanding performance for the Maple Leafs, where it’s a shame that his team couldn’t secure two points.

Woll was under siege throughout the first period, and this may be the finest example: Woll stretched out to rob Lucas Raymond, the Red Wings reset behind the net, got the puck over to J.T. Compher in the slot, and the Maple Leafs’ goaltender stood tall yet again.

Woll made another clever save on Moritz Seider off the rush during the second period, and was completely locked in. He constantly fought through Red Wings forwards intent on getting into his crease and blocking out his vision. If the Maple Leafs held on for the victory, Woll would’ve almost certainly been the recipient of the team belt. He’s played up to his role as the No. 1 starter, but Dennis Hildeby ought to get the start for Friday’s game, if Anthony Stolarz isn’t cleared to return.

“Great response by him. He was really good. He made a lot of good saves, including on their power play. He gave us a chance to win tonight,” Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said of Woll, post-game.

We’re not going to be too harsh towards in Easton Cowan in this space. He’s a 20-year-old rookie that has exceeded expectations in the loudest hockey market in the world. He’s been a consistent force for a decidedly erratic Leafs team. We take no pleasure in writing that Cowan’s costly blunder cost the Leafs the game in overtime.

Cowan skated out of the offensive zone, while trying to buy time for his team at 3-on-3. It’s not the worst strategy entirely, but he got outmuscled by Seider, a leading candidate for the Norris Trophy. Seider bodied Cowan rather easily, found Larkin for a breakaway, and the game was over. It reflected some poor situational awareness from a confident rookie prone to making smart plays. It just wasn’t his night.

“I thought he made some really good plays tonight,” Berube said of Cowan post-game. “He does good things, and then there are things he has to do better. It’s a typical young player in the league. There are plays where he has to recognize that there is nothing there and make a strong play. But he makes plays, and he made some good plays again tonight.

“It’s normal for a young guy, where he’s at. He has to get stronger and make better decisions at times.”

Scott Laughton is becoming somewhat of a folk hero during this season. Laughton’s leadership, character, penalty killing excellence and faceoff proficiency have all been celebrated throughout the year. During Wednesday’s game, Laughton was one of the team’s most impactful players, scoring the lone goal for the Leafs, while drawing a penalty shot attempt, getting slashed by Red Wings defenceman Simon Edvinsson.

Unfortunately for Laughton, he lost the handle during the penalty shot, and the puck slid idly for an easy save.

“I was too tired, I should have faked a broken stick and let Matthews take it,” Laughton said post-game.

Laughton is resembling the player the Leafs hoped they acquired at last year’s deadline, and while there will always be hagiographic portraits of what could’ve been with regards to the team’s asset management, the 30-year-old centre has been a constant plus for the Leafs. Once again, Laughton’s stature continues to rise with the Maple Leafs.

Oliver Ekman-Larsson left the game during the first period and was ruled out shortly after the second period began. Ekman-Larsson played in all 50 games for the Leafs this season, and he’s been the team’s best defenceman. It would be a crushing loss if Ekman-Larsson missed any team, with the Olympics on the horizon as well.

“Lower-body right now. I’ll know more tomorrow after they’ve evaluated him and we see where he’s at,” Berube said post-game.

Ekman-Larsson is amid a resurgent campaign, he’s played in several different roles for the Leafs, while exuding true leadership and a quiet, physical streak. We’ll have to find out until Friday if Ekman-Larsson is out long-term.

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