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Maple Leafs’ Tavares outlines offensive struggles after loss to Stars: ‘We got a lot of hockey left to play’
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Dec 22, 2025, 09:15 ESTUpdated: Dec 22, 2025, 08:46 EST
For the third straight game, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ last-ranked power play continued to struggle, coming up empty over four opportunities in a 5-1 loss to the Dallas Stars on Sunday. Toronto were outscored 14-4 during the three-game road trip, and Maple Leafs forward John Tavares took account for the loss during his post-game media availability.
“We certainly played a better hockey game. Obviously, it’s easy to let yourself think that everything is going against us but we have to fight that,” Tavares said. “We have to continue to work, earn the results, earn the breaks and continue to stick together. A tough couple of days, but we’ll regroup here, and we got one game break the break. Obviously a great opportunity to get back home, get the result we want, play well and get it trending in the right way.”
Tavares also outlined what’s been hindering the Leafs’ offence throughout December, after beginning the year as a top-three offensive team at 5-on-5.
“Some of it is just execution, with finishing chances off,” Tavares said. “Obviously, we’ve been dry on the power play, which changes the way the game is played at times when you’re able to put the puck in the back in the net with those opportunities. We have to sustain puck possession, create opportunities. Getting pucks to the net, finding second and third (chances) where things become real instinctive.”
As much as it feels like the world is crashing down on the Maple Leafs, there are still 47 games left to try and turn this around to reach the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season. Criticism is mounting, and head coach Craig Berube is certainly on the hot seat.
“You can either let things seep in or you push back against it and choose to be confident and believe in one another and stick together,” Tavares said. “We got a lot of hockey left to be played.”
Toronto will resume its schedule with a Tuesday afternoon home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, before a three-day holiday break.
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