Toronto went back in action on a back-to-back against two Metropolitan division teams, the Washington Capitals and the Pittsburgh Penguins, respectively.

Toronto lost 3-1 against the Capitals, splitting the season series against Washington. While the score remained 0-0, Washington created numerous chances early on, with many of those coming close to the net. With Toronto’s lackluster play and Washington not being able to capitalize, we remain deadlocked 0-0 headed into the first intermission.

Washington didn’t waste any time in the second, getting on the board quickly with a goal from Nic Dowd on a tip in front of the net.

Later in the period, Chris Tanev channeled his inner playmaker and made a stretch pass down the ice to John Tavares who found himself all alone on a breakaway, who finished a great pass with a beautiful finish to tie the game 1-1.

From then on, the Leafs just didn’t look good. When they’re off their game, it’s boring and forgettable. With the exception of Toronto’s only goal, that’s exactly what this game was for the Maple Leafs.

Connor McMichael scored in the third period, and Aleksei Protas scored the empty netter to push the Capitals past the Maple Leafs for Washington’s eighth consecutive road win this season.

The next night in Pittsburgh, the Leafs did look significantly better. They were able to generate chances, get on loose pucks, and battle all game long.

The first goal of the game came from the Pittsburgh Penguins, with Rickard Rakell putting the Penguins ahead with a power-play goal at 4:39 of the first period, deflecting a point shot from Matt Grzelcyk for his team-leading 11th goal this season.

Not long after, Mitch Marner tied it 1-1, scoring on a rebound off a shot from Oliver Ekman-Larsson while being pushed down to the ice just outside the crease. He has nine goals in the past 16 games after only scoring one in his first 11.

Bryan Rust beat Joe Woll after he took the puck off a shot that rang off the boards from Crosby, in a goal that the Leafs goaltender likely should have saved. Nonetheless, William Nylander was able to tie it right back up on the powerplay, with a beautiful one-timer from above the left circle.

“Sometimes you play good games and don’t get a win,” Nylander said. “That happened tonight.”

Michael Bunting scored the go-ahead goal in the third period, and the Penguins added on two empty net goals to win the game 5-2.

“I thought we were really good tonight in the offensive zone,” Berube said. “I thought we played our game, forechecked well. We had good O-zone time and opportunities. So, I was happy with a lot of the game. There’s things we can always clean up, right? But I like the effort.”

Toronto is back in action Tuesday against the Devils in New Jersey.