Leafs Forward Max Domi Gives His Team a Wake-Up Call Amid Horrid Start to the Season
Photo credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
The Maple Leafs are losing more games than a true contender should, and Max Domi has given his group a bit of a wake-up call amid a 3-game losing skid.
Owners of a disappointing 8-8-1 record through the first 17 games of the 2025-26 NHL season, the Leafs are the subject of immense criticism as we approach the quarter mark of the season, and that criticism is earned.
The Leafs did appear to be turning the ship in the right direction after a 3-game winning streak to kick off the month of November, but a 3-game losing streak since has raised a lot of questions about what type of team the Leafs really are.
Max Domi Tries to Spark a Turnaround for the Maple Leafs
While some people are already giving up on the Leafs this season, Max Domi is not one of them. Following last night's loss, Domi addressed the media, touching on the team's current struggles, and establishing what type of hockey the team is going to have to play to dig themselves out of a massive hole.
"It's adversity, for sure. Every guy in here is chomping at the bit. Everyone wants an opportunity, and here's our opportunity. Everyone's got to step up. Next-man-up mentality -- and we're not going to focus on anything other than the next game and the task at hand. Everyone's got to bring their best. And every game from here on out is like a playoff game, and we're going to need that kind of intensity, day in, day out."
Domi Needs to Step Up His Game, Along With Everyone Else
Domi has been centering the Leafs' 4th line for much of their recent stretch of games, but an injury to Auston Matthews may result in some changes to the lineup. If Domi does ascend up the lineup a little bit, he'll have more of an opportunity to contribute to a better result.
However, if he remains at the bottom of the lineup, his impacts will likely be minimal. Domi played a season-low 8:30 TOI against the Hurricanes on November 9th, but was thrust into a larger role after the injury to Matthews last night, playing 16:19 in a 5-3 loss to Boston.
Domi has just 3 goals and 3 assists through 17 games this season, so if there is a turnaround ahead for the Leafs, Domi will have to put his money where his mouth is and begin to produce, because it's going to take everyone to right the ship.
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