Toronto Maple Leafs: Frederik Andersen deserves better after embarrassing loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell apart in the third period against the Philadelphia Flyers and while Frederik Andersen didn’t want an apology, he deserved one.

It appears there are still some kinks Sheldon Keefe has to sort out with the Toronto Maple Leafs as the Philadelphia Flyers exposed the team’s unacceptable effort.

For most of the game, the Leafs were actually in a good position until Travis Konecny scored on Frederik Andersen to make it 2-1 and from that moment on, the players turned a switch off.

More from Tip of the Tower

• Cam Phillips making his mark on Toronto Argonauts offence
• Toronto Argonauts: 4 storylines ahead of matchup against Redblacks
• Federico Bernardeschi ready for new challenge with Toronto FC
• Toronto Argonauts overcome Roughriders in entertaining Touchdown Atlantic
• Buffalo Bills: Von Miller drawing inspiration from Bruce Smith

After the game, the team addressed the loss saying it was unacceptable to play like that in front of Frederik Andersen which was the case considering he was left out to dry. While the team definitely owes Andersen more than an apology, the starting goalie wasn’t necessarily looking for one after the game.

"“I don’t really worry about me,” Andersen told reporters after the game. “I worry more about the way we played for the logo on the jersey. I think we’ve got to [have] more pride than that. Hopefully we can respond and show what kind of character we have going forward.”"

Andersen is correct with his assessment because the focus should not be on him and players shouldn’t be thinking about one person in a situation like that. Saying you’re sorry won’t mean anything unless the players are willing to give themselves a reality check and realize that their effort was unacceptable.

While things got off to a decent start with Keefe, you can say that the team has been challenged the past couple of games and there hasn’t been the same pushback. With Michael Hutchinson expected to start against the Colorado Avalanche, it’s a big opportunity for the team to back up their words with action.

This goes for players like Auston Matthews who has been way too quiet both offensively and defensively considering he’s the highest-paid player on the team. Keefe needs to fin a way to get him to play with more desire and give more of an effort then he has considering how he’s being outshined by other star players in the league.

Matthews isn’t the only player who deserves to be criticized but considering he said after the game that the team folded and quit, he needs to take ownership of his play and be better.

What were your thoughts on last night’s loss to the Flyers?  Can the Leafs find a way to regroup or does more need to be done? Let us know in the comments below.