"Our puck management wasn't very good in the last two games, and mostly in the last game. Defensively, it is the turnovers, for sure, but we can also be firmer and harder in our own zone and win more of those battles. Carolina came out with the puck too much. We had numbers in there, and they came out with the puck. Now, we're extended in our own zone a little bit more."
"It is not just on the forwards or the D. It is on everybody. For me, the forwards getting caught in the offensive zone with three guys and giving up odd-man rushes is not good for our D or goalies. That is one area that we can be better at, for sure, and we have been talking about it a lot this year. We have to get back to where we are not giving up odd-man rushes, for sure."
The team met in Boston, reviewed film, and focused on correcting recent defensive lapses after weekend losses. Turnovers and poor puck management created stressful, vulnerable situations and directly cost a game. Players must be firmer and harder in the defensive zone, win more battles along the wall, block shots, and exit cleanly with possession. Forwards must avoid getting caught deep and prevent odd-man rushes by supporting the defense and making smarter outlet decisions. Overall buy-in exists, but consistency remains an issue despite strong goal scoring. The coaching staff opted not to change the blue line for the upcoming game.
Read at Maple Leafs Hotstove
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