Underachieving Leafs need to pick up the pace before it’s too late

  • 📰 globeandmail
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 72 sec. here
  • 3 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 32%
  • Publisher: 92%

Canada Headlines News

Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines

Underachieving Leafs need to pick up the pace before it’s too late Globe_Sports

Losses have started to pile up heading into Tuesday night’s contest with the Washington Capitals at Scotiabank Arena. Another could cause them to fall significantly in the Eastern Conference standings by the end of the week.It is still early, but pressure is building. With big salaries come greater expectations, and in Canada’s hockey capital that goes for the head coach and players alike.

They got thumped in Montreal on Saturday, allowing two goals early and three late. They have beaten only two opponents with a winning record.After playing 12 times in 23 days, including four sets of back-to-backs, this week gets a little easier, with Toronto facing only Washington before a contest with the Red Wings in Detroit on Saturday. The busy start has left little time for practice. There is more of an opportunity now to fix mistakes and for players get some rest.

“We should be fresher and better and it should show in our game. I think with a more balanced schedule, we should play harder. We should have a lot of energy tomorrow.”Alex Ovechkin and Co. roll into town with an 8-2-3 overall record and five victories in their last six games. Their run started with a 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs in Washington on Oct. 16. Michael Hutchinson, Toronto’s back-up goaltender, started that night. This time, Frederik Andersen will get the nod in net.

Zach Hyman, a rugged winger who has scored 40 points two years ago and 41 points last season, is expected to rejoin the team on Saturday. He has not played since undergoing knee surgery in April. His return, coupled with Dermott’s, will likely cause Toronto to waive, trade or farm out three players due to its extreme salary-cap restrictions.There are a handful to choose from, including Nic Petan, Nick Shore, Dmytro Timashov or even Jason Spezza.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 5. in CA

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Leafs' costly trend of falling behind early continues in loss to Canadiens - Sportsnet.caThe Maple Leafs’ disturbing trend of letting their opponent draw first blood continued as the Montreal Canadiens soundly defeated their forever rival 5-2, seizing the first two games of the season series. MapleLeafs lukefoxjukebox FireBabcock MapleLeafs lukefoxjukebox The Maple leafs suck and that's the truth MapleLeafs lukefoxjukebox Changes need to be made before it becomes the accepted norm. It’s time, sorry Mike.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Jonathan Drouin scores twice to lead Canadiens over Leafs 5-2A second-intermission pep talk must have fired up the Habs because they scored three times in the third period to break a 2-2 deadlock Shameful... what is wrong with this LEAF TEAM? We have the horsepower but it’s not working!!! Why...? Could it be the goalie and/or the Coach? What ever Brendan Shanahan President and Kyle Dubas General Manager YOU need to answer ASAP I.e. next week! Not next month! NOW! Great game but they have to be more consistent not just always break out in the third period — Drouin looked like a guy lafleur there for a moment we started to yell GUY GUY then came back to Earth and stopped drinking !!
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

Canadiens' Armia, Drouin show maturity in win over Maple Leafs - Sportsnet.caThe Montreal Canadiens are a young team trying to get to the next level, and there's one noticeable difference already this season: Jonathan Drouin and Joel Armia, among others, are coming of age. EricEngels I wanna see the Habs be patient, Armia and Drouin have been pretty damn good so far, its a long season though.... Lets Go Habs! EricEngels
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »

Maple Leafs' defensive woes pop up again, Drouin continues to impressFor the 10th time this season, the Maple Leafs gave up the first goal of the game and their defensive issues once again buried them against the Canadiens. Craig Button breaks down what went wrong for Toronto defensively and touches on the excellent play of Jonathan Drouin in Montreal's victory.
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

McKenzie: Barrie is a much better defenceman than we’ve seen with Leafs so farTSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie joins Andi Petrillo and Dave Feschuk to discuss how Tyson Barrie has struggled to start the season. TSNBobMcKenzie Lol, yah that's why the GoAvsGo had rumours surrounding Barrie every year. Lol there was a reason they wanted him out. Leafs are looking really bad right now.. LeafsLunch1050 TSNBobMcKenzie Barrie is looking really bad right now TSNBobMcKenzie Its the coaching system!
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »

Leafs Ice Chips: Rielly misses another practice, Babcock downplays concernMorgan Rielly missed his third straight practice with the Maple Leafs but head coach Mike Babcock is downplaying any concern. Mark Masters weighs in with how much worry there should be with Rielly's health and the potential impact Travis Dermott could have as he is expected to make his season debut against the Capitals on Tuesday.
Source: TSN_Sports - 🏆 80. / 51 Read more »