Leafs losing streak hits 13 against Montreal; nearly three years have passed since last win
TORONTO — Brendan Shanahan was still a few months from being hired as team president the last time the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens.
The Leafs losing streak against the Habs hit 13 games (0-9-4) at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night, lingering now for almost three years following the 5-3 decision.
Toronto last defeated its original-six rival on Jan. 18, 2014, a point when the organization had yet to undergo the major reconstruction which would begin with Shanahan’s hiring and continue with the additions of head coach Mike Babcock, general manager Lou Lamoriello and a completely overhauled roster built around skilled youth.
Only six players remain from the last Leafs squad to top the Habs (five who played that night), including James van Riemsdyk, who scored in that 5-3 victory three years back and again in the most recent defeat, which also ended Toronto’s seven-game point streak.