"After clawing their way back into the NHL playoff picture with an encouraging four-game road trip, the Maple Leafs have promptly undone that momentum at home. Toronto has fallen flat to open a five-game homestand, losing three straight games, capped by an uninspiring 6-3 loss to former star Mitch Marner and the Vegas Golden Knights. The lifeless performance, at a moment when the Leafs needed urgency and response, has once again brought captain Auston Matthews' leadership and the team's broader leadership core into question."
"In front of a lively home crowd eagerly anticipating some revenge against former star Marner for his controversial exit, Leafs' captain Matthews and most of his teammates weren't ready to perform. They put forth a flat, uninspiring effort during the opening period. Instead of coming out hungry to avenge the Golden Knights' come-from-behind (four times from two- goal deficits) 6-5 overtime victory last week in Vegas, the Maple Leafs were lifeless."
The Maple Leafs converted a four-game road trip into playoff momentum but immediately lost it at home with three straight defeats to open a five-game homestand. Losses included a 6-3 defeat to the Vegas Golden Knights, a 6-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild, and a 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The team produced a flat, uninspiring start against Vegas and lacked urgency to respond to the previous comeback defeat in Vegas. Auston Matthews failed to make key defensive plays early, and the overall leadership core faces renewed scrutiny amid the poor home performances.
Read at Editor In Leaf
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