Toronto Maple Leafs can’t continue to play below expectations
The Toronto Maple Leafs had another disappointing performance with a loss to the New York Islanders as their issues are becoming clearer.
With each frustrating loss, the Toronto Maple Leafs are starting to run out of excuses for their poor play and Leafs Nation is starting to run out of patience which they have every right to be.
There has been a noticeable regression in the team’s play since December of last year especially on special teams and it was a big problem in Wednesday night’s 5-4 loss to the New York Islanders.
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Sure, the Leafs have a more talented roster than the Islanders and had a long stretch where they were seizing control of the game but it was the same old story in the end. They made inexcusable mistakes that led to easy goals, showed a lack of desire on the power play and once again had a lacklustre penalty kill.
We are getting to a point where the team is failing to establish their identity and the players know it. So at what point does something need to change to get this team on the right path?
Mike Babcock’s job has come into question ever since the team lost to the Boston Bruins in the playoffs last season and if things don’t get better, a legitimate case can be made to fire him. This is what happens when a team has the expectations the Leafs have but how long will the coach have to try and get this team to buy in?
Tavares on identity: "We want to defend quick, be able to close lanes, time & space & get our transition game going the other way. It all funnels together, when one link in the chain isn't there everything else is affected & we got to continue to find ways to put it together"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) November 14, 2019
When you see Andreas Johnsson make the turnover that led to the opening goal, it’s one of those lapses that make you realize that this team’s lack of awareness is troubling especially when they are consistently chasing the game after allowing the first goal.
That along with the blown defensive zone coverage on Mat Barzal’s goal and on Anthony Beauvillier‘s second of the night makes you wonder if the team is going into each game with the right approach and attitude.
Right now, the team doesn’t have the luxury that they had last season where they built up a big lead with a great start and their recent losses show that they don’t have the consistent winning formula right now.
They don’t have a solidified backup behind Frederik Andersen after Michael Hutchinson was waived, Mitch Marner is going to miss a month with an ankle injury and their special teams are in the bottom half of the league.
Kyle Dubas doesn’t seem like a person who will lose patience with this team but he also understands that he has expectations to fulfill and while it won’t come together overnight, he can’t let it get undone by a rough start as we approach the quarter mark.
Next. Leafs pull the plug on Hutchinson. dark
What are your thought s on the Leafs latest loss and stretch of games? What needs to change and how long until something drastic needs to happen? Let us know in the comments below.