Maple Leafs’ margin for error narrows amid late-season defensive slump Globe_Sports
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Garret Sparks makes a save as Ottawa Senators left winger Brady Tkachuk and Leafs defenceman Morgan Rielly look on during a game in Ottawa on March 16, 2019.Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is convinced adversity can be a good thing.Toronto has sprung a massive leak defensively in losing three of its last four outings, surrendering a combined 23 goals in an ugly stretch that culminated with Saturday’s embarrassing 6-2 road loss to past-place Ottawa.
“As well as we can play offensively, and the firepower that we have, if we play that loose on defence it’s tough to win,” Toronto centre Auston Matthews said. “Once we work our way out of it, we’ll be better off,” Andersen said. “You don’t feel good doing it, but once you get out of it you’re better off and hopefully learn some valuable lessons.”
While the emphasis Monday was righting defensive wrongs, there were also lighter moments that might not be expected from a struggling group.Smiles were flashed by the likes of Matthews, John Tavares and Morgan Rielly between drills, while Brown and his linemates celebrated more than usual following the completion of one particular sequence.
“It’s hard to describe the feeling you get,” Kapanen, who has 19 goals and 23 assists in 68 games this season, said of the symptoms. “You’re kind of off.”
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