The Toronto Maple Leafs failed to turn things around once again on Tuesday, with a 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens.

After a dismal first period saw the Leafs down 2-0 and outshot 18-5, they managed to come out stronger through the final 40. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to get back in it, and the Canadiens sealed their win with an empty-net goal. Speaking after the game, rookie Easton Cowan shared his perspective on the team’s performance and their continued losses.

“I thought our team had a really good second period and a pretty good third too,” he said. “We had some looks, just didn’t bury tonight. But yeah, it just sucks. It sucks to lose.”

Toronto played their best hockey in the second period on Tuesday, outshooting the Canadiens 11-6 en route to a goal from William Nylander 15 minutes in. Throughout his postgame presser, Cowan pointed to Toronto’s effort in that middle frame as the blueprint moving forward.

“We just played faster, played more north,” he said. “If we can continue that Thursday against Anaheim, I feel like we’ll be pretty good, but just got to get back to our game there like we did in the second.”

Cowan earned the primary assist on Nylander’s goal, with a clean pass to set the Swedish forward up for the one-timer. Playing in his 49th game, the assist gave Cowan his 20th point of the year. Still, the 2025 Memorial Cup MVP made it clear that he’s not yet satisfied with his production in the NHL.

“Yeah, good play by Willie there,” Cowan said. “He beat his check back to the net, so just tried to give it to him. Yeah, obviously I wish I could capitalize a bit more, you know, make some more plays to help the team win.”

The Maple Leafs now have just 17 games left in the season. Sitting second last in the Eastern Conference, their playoffs dreams may be dead in the water, but it could also mean more playing opportunity for young players like Cowan. The 20-year-old is averaging under 14 minutes a night this season, but played 18:21 TOI on Tuesday, his fourth-highest tally of the season.

“Whatever role I’m given, I’m just trying to help this team win, so that’s how we’ll roll,” Cowan said.

Heading into spring, that may also include appearing with the Toronto Marlies for a potential playoff run. In the meantime, Cowan and the Leafs return to the ice on Thursday to face the Anaheim Ducks.