The Toronto Maple Leafs faced a disappointing 4-1 defeat against the Colorado Avalanche on January 25, 2026, continuing a troubling trend during their homestand. Here are two key takeaways from the game:

1. Slow Starts and Falling Behind:

The Maple Leafs have struggled with slow starts recently, and this game was no exception. Within the first seven and a half minutes, they conceded two goals to Brock Nelson, forcing them into a chase against a highly skilled Avalanche team for the remainder of the game. The Maple Leafs are not built to win games when they allow themselves to fall behind early, especially against teams like Colorado. This pattern of sluggish beginnings puts them at a significant disadvantage and requires them to expend extra energy trying to catch up.

2. Woll's Solid Performance Undermined by Lack of Offensive Support:

Goaltender Joseph Woll marked his 100th career NHL game. While the occasion was a personal milestone, the team couldn't deliver a win for him. Despite the loss, Woll's performance was noteworthy, particularly after the initial difficult minutes. He made several crucial saves, especially in the second period, including multiple stops against Nathan MacKinnon, preventing the game from slipping further out of reach. However, a goaltender can only do so much, and the Maple Leafs struggled to find an answer to Avalanche goalie Mackenzie Blackwood until Max Domi scored in the final minute. Woll's efforts highlight a recurring issue: the Leafs' inability to provide consistent offensive support for their goaltenders.

The Maple Leafs now need to address their tendency to start games slowly and find ways to generate more consistent offense if they hope to compete with the league's top teams.