Overview
- Toronto reassigned the power play to Derek Lalonde, with the unit stuck last in the NHL around 13.3% and going 0-for-2 in limited time against Pittsburgh.
- Head coach Craig Berube accepted responsibility for poor results as GM Brad Treliving rejected the idea of selling off core pieces and said Auston Matthews has not asked for a trade.
- The skid ended at three games as Toronto improved to 16-15-5; William Nylander posted four points and Max Domi snapped a 23-game goal drought with the winner.
- Despite the win, the club remains near the bottom of the Eastern Conference after a December drop in scoring and a league-worst power play.
- Chris Tanev returned after 23 games out, but Brandon Carlo and starting goalie Anthony Stolarz remain sidelined, with broader fixes constrained by the league’s trade freeze until Dec. 28.