Jim Hiller faces louder questions as Maple Leafs slide: the end coming soon?

Jim Hiller is still the Maple Leafs' head coach, but after last night's 4-0 loss to the Devils, the talk about his future is getting louder.

Nothing in the data says he is out. He is listed as Toronto's head coach, and the Maple Leafs are scheduled to face the Avalanche on Tuesday.

Still, the losing has a way of feeding the speculation. Hiller's admission after the Devils loss was blunt: the team simply wasn't good enough.

New Jersey made it look easy. Connor Hellebuyck stopped all 23 shots he faced for the shutout, and Timo Meier scored twice, including the game-winner.

At the other end, Anthony Stolarz made 25 saves on 28 shots and took the loss.

Toronto now sits 8-9-2 with 18 points, seventh in the Atlantic Division, and it has dropped three straight.

STANDINGS

ATLANTIC DIVISION

	GP	W	L	OL	PTS	DIFF
1. Boston Bruins	18	13	4	1	27	+27
2. Montreal Canadiens	17	11	3	3	25	+8
3. Tampa Bay Lightning	17	11	4	2	24	+10
4. Ottawa Senators	18	11	6	1	23	+4
5. Florida Panthers	18	9	7	2	20	+1
6. Buffalo Sabres	17	8	6	3	19	-7
7. Toronto Maple Leafs	19	8	9	2	18	0
8. Detroit Red Wings	18	7	8	3	17	-7

Leafslatest laid out the damage over a longer stretch, noting that the Maple Leafs are 1-5-0 since October 24 and that their lone win in that span came against the Vancouver Canucks.

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The post also says Toronto has a -9 goal differential since that date, yet is only 2 points out of the final wild-card spot. That last part matters. The hole is real, but it is not yet a canyon.

Would the Maple Leafs really fire Jim Hiller now?

Nothing in the sheet suggests it, and moving on from a coach after 19 games would be a hard sell. Toronto's season goal differential is still 0, with 64 goals for and 64 against. That is a middling team, not a broken one.

The roster, built under general manager John Chayka, is part of the conversation too. A coach can only do so much when a team is blanked at home by a goalie who faced 23 shots.

The division adds to the frustration. Hiller's search for a first divisional win was already a talking point before the Devils added another loss to the pile.

The next test is Tuesday against Colorado. Another flat night and the question stops being a rumor on social media and becomes one Chayka has to answer.

Quick hits

NEW YORK RANGERS: Vince Z. posted that the Rangers are eyeing two scratches for their game in Edmonton. A lineup shake-up on the road is never a quiet sign.

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VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Jeff Paterson reported that Leevi Merilainen went through starter's drills at the morning skate ahead of the Flyers tonight. The Canucks have lost five straight.

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UTAH MAMMOTH: The Mammoth have recalled defenseman Zac Jones from Tucson, according to NHL Rosters. Nate Schmidt's status is unclear, so keep an eye on the blue line.

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ST. LOUIS BLUES: Matthew DeFranks reported that Logan Mailloux skated on a pair with Philip Broberg at Monday's practice. That's a strong hint his return is near.

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COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS: Rick Bowness ruled Conor Garland out for Tuesday night's game against the Panthers, per DMaetzMedia. Columbus will have to find that scoring elsewhere.