"I mean, it's never ideal when you lose guys to injury, especially key guys. And so, we got guys coming in that haven't really played or are coming up with very short notice. Guys got to pick each other up, encourage each other and do what you can and fill those roles. But I definitely think we're still trying to find our game."
"The disappointing thing is, I thought we competed really hard and did a lot of good things, but there's just too many mistakes going the other way, and too many odd-man rushes against. And they feed off transition. You get caught, and they make you pay."
"That's the most frustrating part, just because I thought we really played a hard game tonight. I thought we did a lot of really good things. I thought we were rolling four lines, just competing at a higher level, a level that we need to compete to win games consistently."
Multiple key Toronto Maple Leafs players are injured or questionable, including William Nylander (left Friday's game after a hit by Jason Zucker), Morgan Rielly (undisclosed injury), and Chris Tanev (on injured reserve). Short-notice call-ups and players with limited recent playing time are being inserted, testing roster depth and composure. The team outshot Buffalo 34-30 and recorded a power-play goal, but repeated mistakes and odd-man rushes allowed transition goals that proved costly. The squad competed hard across four lines yet continued turnover-related breakdowns that prevented consistent, winning-level performance. Players must fill roles and regain collective play.
Read at TheLeafsNation
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