Collapse against Stars a fitting end to Leafs’ final home game

’We get a 3-0 lead and give it back that quickly, just by mistakes, coverage. We’re right there, just not close enough’

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Published Apr 14, 2026  •  Last updated 5 minutes ago  •  3 minute read

Calum Ritchie #64 of the New York Islanders scores a third period goal against Artur Akhtyamov #70 of the Toronto Maple Leafs at UBS Arena on April 09, 2026 in Elmont, New York. Photo by Bruce Bennett /Getty Images North America

The Maple Leafs melted in their last home game of the year.

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The ice at Scotiabank Arena will soon follow.

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While it was a touching send-off for retiring radio broadcaster Joe Bowen and the players later spoke glowingly of unwavering fan support, Monday’s loss to the Dallas Stars was the 23rd of 41 on Bay Street, two multi-goal leads gone in a 6-5 defeat.

Long past the point of no return for playoffs and with many in their camp happy to be closer to the bottom five in the NHL standings and retention of a first-round pick with a game to go, here’s our takeaways:

LAST NIGHT ON STAGE?

Craig Berube’s 108-point season in 2024-25 has become a distant memory in this year of so many defensive collapses, mismatched forwards and unforeseen injuries.

He did survive the end of campaign in which other coaches of better teams got fired, but on Monday another promising game had gone south. Thursday morning after a trip to Ottawa might see a change in his status, with the last word to whomever gets the general manager’s seat.

“I was disappointed,” Berube said post-game. “We get a 3-0 lead and give it back that quickly, just by mistakes, coverage. We’re right there, just not close enough.”

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But it’s not just the coach and his staff.

“When you know it’s the last home game, that’s not a good sign,” said alternate captain John Tavares. “We wanted this game for a lot of reasons. We get off to a much better start which has been difficult for us lately and we have mistakes, play sloppy.”

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RIGHT ON Q

Jacob Quillan waited until his 23rd NHL game before finally netting his first goal. On a line with Steven Lorentz and Ryan Tverberg, in his big league debut, Quillan swept it at a Lorentz wraparound.

“I blacked out a little bit,” laughed the Nova Scotian, who is thinking of sending the souvenir puck to his grandfather’s room. “I was nervous it might get called back for being kicked in, but just put my hands in the air and it felt good.”

Teammates knew the significance of how hard the undrafted Quillan has worked in his career, many coming to congratulate him on the bench during the ensuing timeout.

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Six rookies were in Toronto’s lineup, getting five of their 27 shots.

But it was Akhtyamov you had to feel bad for, seven first period saves undone by a William Nylander giveaway to start the Dallas rally. Troy Stecher put one in his own net battling Arttu Hyry for the puck.

Akhtyamov has faced 76 shots already in his two starts, a baptism of fire that Joseph Woll and Anthony Stolarz should’ve prepared him for.

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SEE YOU NEXT YEAR

The Leafs, who took their team picture earlier Monday, stayed out after the defeat to salute their fans, with all turning their sticks and gazes upward to what will be named Bowen’s Booth next year after his 3,834 games at the mic.

Tavares was thrilled to be told Bowen had made one more “Johnny Toronto” reference on his 31st goal of the season.

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“Extremely special,” said Tavares, who came out for interviews in a commemorative Bowen T-shirt. “You grow up here, he calls so many Leaf games with (signature phrases such as) ‘Holy Mackinaw’ and countless others. For him to give one to me over the course of my time here is surreal. I was fortunate to be part of it as a kid and then as a player.”

In his final night at SBA, Bowen called Quillan’s first goal, one by each of the Robertson brothers on different teams, Nylander’s 29th after announcing many by his father Michael in the 1990s, but unfortunately for the locals, the first NHL hat trick by Mavrik Bourque of the Stars.

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