National Post (National Edition)
Leafs know they need to be ‘on top of our game’
Green and white sweaters hanging in the stalls means St. Patrick’s Day is here — and with it the imminent end of the NHL schedule.
So the timing of brutal consecutive home losses in the home stretch is worrying to Mike Babcock and his Toronto Maple Leafs, with no relief in sight on the injury front, amid concern that a promising season could fizzle in the first round.
With Wednesday’s fivegoal meltdown against Chicago still on their minds — they did score four at the end — the Leafs convened Thursday for their first full home practice since Feb. 26, ahead of back-to-back weekend matches against the Philadelphia Flyers and Ottawa Senators. Twelve games remain in the regular season.
Babcock, who deserves scrutiny with the rest for the way the lethargic losses to the Chicago Blackhawks and Tampa Bay Lightning unfolded, vacillated between prodding his players, especially those filling in for regulars, and holding back the whip.
“When you look at our group, I don’ t think you really need a lot of (hardball lectures),” Babcock said. “We understand what’s at stake for us, we understand our opportunity is here and now. Next year in sport never comes. We play in a real good division with good teams and you have to be on top of your game.”
Kasperi Kapanen (concussion), Jake Gardiner (back), Travis Dermott (shoulder) and Zach Hyman (illness) are out, while an undermanned defence is unable to steady and the forward lines lack mojo. Dermott is at least skating on his own and Hyman could be back shortly. But no one, least of all the coach, wants the sick list as a crutch.
“We’re here to discuss players in the lineup, not the ones out,” Babcock said. “You put our uniform on, you have to be ready to go. We expect a lot from our group, it doesn’t matter if you’ve played three, five or 10 games or just got called up from the Marlies.
“We tried to focus on details, but get back skating,” he said of Thursday’s aim. “We have to play fast to have success, but we’ve been slow — slow on defence and so other teams have more time with the puck. We got our work ethic and speed back last night in the second period and were able to feel better about ourselves.”
Martin Marincin and Igor Ozhiganov are getting more ice than expected with Gardiner and Dermott out long term, but the other four blueliners have been culpable in the recent losses.
The little used Justin Holl might get in this weekend. And after moving Trevor Moore all the way up to right wing with John Tavares and Mitch Marner, Babcock flipped Moore with Patrick Marleau on the third line, where they remained Thursday.
“We can’ t think about injuries, we’ve had years in the past where we were very fortunate with them,” defenceman Morgan Rielly said. “You just look at who’s available, go out there and motivate each other.
“We keep on saying that playoffs are around the corner and we have to get in playoff mode, but we have to (really) do it. There’s no reason not to be urgent, prepared and hungry at this time of year.”
Which they weren’t in the past two games, with another playoff-challenged team arriving on Friday. Frederik Andersen, pulled in back-to-back games for the first time in his career with eight goals against on 33 shots, will return against the Flyers, while Garret Sparks, who played had bonus relief minutes this week, plays in Ottawa.
LOOSE LEAFS
If the past two games have had a positive, it’s the Leafs’ young leadership group at least sounding like they’re on top of any malaise. “I think it’s all within the room,” Auston Matthews said. “We need a change and we have to find a way to turn it up a notch.”