"In the NHL, not all wins carry the same weight, and divisional games often matter most when shaping the standings. Points earned against familiar rivals don't just add up; they directly push teams up or down in the standings. That's where the Toronto Maple Leafs have fallen short so far this season."
"Last season, their first with Craig Berube behind the bench, the Maple Leafs had a 17-8-1 record against Atlantic Division rivals. Of all of their division opponents, only the Montreal Canadiens had a better record (18-7-1) in games within the division. The Maple Leafs also had a stellar record against Eastern Conference opponents. Their in-conference record of 33-16-1 for 67 points was five points better than any other Atlantic rival (Tampa Bay Lightning 27-15-8 for 62 points)."
"Thus far in the 2025-26 season, the Maple Leafs have a 11-11-2 record against Eastern Conference opponents. That .500 points-percentage is not only the worst among Atlantic Division teams, but also the worst in the Eastern Conference. The Leafs have a 4-6-1 record against divisional opponents so far this season. The 9 points earned is second-worst to the Flori"
Divisional games carry outsized influence on NHL standings because points against those rivals directly affect relative position. The Toronto Maple Leafs currently sit last in the Atlantic Division and sit one point from the conference basement due largely to struggles in divisional matchups. Upcoming games against the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings represent a key opportunity to change momentum. Last season under Craig Berube the Leafs excelled inside the division (17-8-1) and in-conference (33-16-1, 67 points), but so far in 2025-26 the team is 11-11-2 in conference and 4-6-1 in-division.
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