Penguins can't overcome mistakes in 6-3 loss to Maple Leafs

Jason Mackey, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Dec 23, 2025

Published in Hockey

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

TORONTO — Dan Muse was largely happy with the game his team played Sunday night, which snapped an eight-game losing streak. Despite the Maple Leafs’ lousy record, the Pittsburgh Penguins coach knew a version of that effort would be necessary two days later in Toronto.

But the way Muse wanted his Penguins to handle the Maple Leafs Tuesday never fully materialized. They simply made too many mistakes that burned them in a 6-3 loss at Scotiabank Arena.

Toronto scored twice on breakaways, another on a puck that clanked off of a Penguins stick, and Brett Kulak didn’t have his finest moment for the Maple Leafs’ go-ahead goal in the third period.

As a result, the Penguins limp into the Christmas break having dropped nine of 10, leaving their season record at 15-12-9.

Max Domi, despite a 23-game goal drought prior to this one, pushed the Maple Leafs in front at 11:35 of the final period.

It came on 4-on-4 play, flow disrupted by a rash of penalties. With a burst of speed, Domi cut into the slot, past Kulak, and he beat Stuart Skinner with a shot to the stick side.

It’s a shame, too, because the Penguins were playing reasonably well at the time — physical and pushing the issue.

Trailing by a goal after each of the first two periods, the Penguins closed the gap and made it a 3-3 game just a minute into the third on a goal from Anthony Mantha, his 11th of the season and third this month.

It was a smart read by Parker Wotherspoon to find Mantha in the high slot. Justin Brazeau supplied a screen and Mantha stepped into a slapper from 54 feet.

Pittsburgh and Toronto traded goals in the second, as the Penguins were guilty of another ugly mistake at 7:38 of the period. That's when Erik Karlsson, sometimes way too willing to take risks with the puck, took another one with center Steven Lorentz applying pressure.

Lorentz stripped Karlsson and took off the other way for Toronto's second significant breakaway. Skinner stopped the initial attempt. But Lorentz kept at it and eventually whacked the puck under Skinner's left pad.

On the plus side, Rutger McGroarty played a very strong game and brought the Penguins back to within one at 3-2 with his goal at 11:43 of the second period. Credit to Ben Kindel, too, for making a play in front of the net with his pass to McGroarty. Kindel paid the price by absorbing a big hit.

The first period was defined by two Penguins mistakes — despite them having the better of play — the first a Kevin Hayes turnover that led to right winger William Nylander’s goal at 9:07. After Nylander batted down Hayes’ passing attempt, he found a burst of speed, created separation and finished with a backhand move past Skinner for a 1-0 Toronto lead.

Bryan Rust brought the Penguins back even just 44 seconds later. Sidney Crosby started the sequence by picking up a puck in the defensive zone and springing Rust for a mini-breakaway. Rust created a 1-1 tie with his 13th of the season coming at 9:51.

The second Penguins miscue occurred before left winger Matias Maccelli’s goal at 13:34 of the first, as a pass to Nylander bounced off the heel of Parker Wotherspoon’s stick and sailed under Skinner’s right pad.

Pittsburgh had a chance to even the score after a brutal turnover from defenseman Chris Tanev in the final minute. But Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll denied Mantha’s wide-open slap shot from the slot.

It was over when …

Karlsson made another curious decision with the puck, resulting in an empty-net goal for left winger Bobby McMann. Nylander got the other empty-netter for Toronto.

Stat of the game

5: The Penguins now have lost five consecutive games in Toronto, going 0-4-1 in that time.

Around the boards

— Coach Dan Muse used the same lineup as previous game, which included the change of Rickard Rakell back to Crosby’s left and Tommy Novak centering the second line.

— It looked as if the Penguins might’ve grabbed a 1-0 lead at 7:26 of the first, when Brazeau scored. But Toronto challenged for goaltender interference, and officials determined that Brazeau did indeed make contact with Woll.

— Nylander has been a Penguins killer of late. In his past five games against Pittsburgh, he has seven goals and 10 points.

— Crosby extended his point streak to seven games (10 total points) against Toronto.

Up next

The Penguins are off the next three days for the NHL’s Christmas break. They will return to practice Saturday at UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex.

____