The Toronto Maple Leafs may have secured two points against the Chicago Blackhawks recently, but the atmosphere surrounding the team was far from victorious. Instead of celebration, a sense of unease lingered, fueled by a persistent and troubling pattern that has haunted them all season: disastrously slow starts.
A Season-Long Pattern of Sleepy Beginnings
For Maple Leafs fans, the opening period has become a source of growing frustration. The game against Chicago was another example, marked by visible hesitation, loose defensive coverage, and extended stretches where the team seemed to lack any urgency. While the final scoreboard showed a win, it merely masked a fundamental flaw that everyone, including seasoned hockey experts, can clearly see.
This issue isn't new. The Leafs have repeatedly looked flat and unprepared when the puck drops, often digging themselves into a hole before finally “finding their legs.” For a roster packed with elite, high-priced talent, these consistently poor beginnings raise serious questions about preparation, on-ice accountability, and the team's collective mindset. When the same problem repeats night after night, criticism is inevitable.
Bruce Boudreau Doesn't Hold Back
This time, the critique came from one of hockey's most experienced voices. Bruce Boudreau, who has coached nearly 1,100 NHL games, delivered a brutal assessment of the Leafs' recurring problem. He pointed out that even in victories, the team's lack of an early push is glaring.
“I don't know what it is, it's like they're taking sleeping pills before the games. Instead of sniffers on the bench, they're taking Ambien. That's how they look sometimes, there's just no energy,” Boudreau stated. He further emphasized that star players are underperforming, saying, “And guys that you know are better than they are aren't playing like it.”
Boudreau's analysis went beyond just effort. He highlighted that without the steadying presence of goaltenders Dennis Hildeby and Joseph Woll, the team's situation could be much more dire. This observation resonates deeply with fans who have watched their goalies often be the best players on the ice in the first period—a clear sign that something is wrong with the skaters in front of them.
The Evidence Piles Up With a 4-0 Loss
Boudreau's sharp words were powerfully validated just days later. The Maple Leafs' 4-0 loss to the Washington Capitals on Thursday was a textbook case of their slow-start issue snowballing into a complete defeat. The team never found any rhythm or traction, offering a quiet, ineffective performance that made it impossible to dismiss the veteran coach's earlier comments.
The ongoing struggles have also sparked external speculation, including whispers about a potential rift between superstar Auston Matthews and head coach Craig Berube. However, Boudreau pushed back on the narrative that players are quitting on their coach. Berube's own reactions have been mixed, praising Matthews and the top line after the Chicago game but calling out the entire group's effort following the Washington debacle.
This cycle of praise and public criticism is likely to continue until the Toronto Maple Leafs solve their core issue. The team must demonstrate consistent urgency and engagement from the very first faceoff. Until then, the uneasy mood and loud outside criticism, as voiced powerfully by Bruce Boudreau, will remain a defining storyline of their season.
