Toronto lost 4-0 in Game 3 and the defeat mirrored Game 2. Cleveland scored early in each game, leaving Toronto on its heels and unable to generate offense. Toronto struggled to dig out of defensive-zone trouble, including an icing that led to a faceoff loss and a goal, after which Cleveland controlled play. Toronto has scored only three five-on-five goals in the series, all in Game 1, and has not sustained offensive-zone pressure, often staying on the perimeter. Offensive production has quieted, requiring lineup and tactical changes, including a different look to counter Cleveland’s shutdown pairing.
"They haven't seen our best game yet, and that's on us as a whole group. We have spurts, and we have shifts, but we just can't string them together right now. It comes down to us wanting it a little bit more and playing more physical."
"We were on our heels for the last 15 of the first, and we just never found a way to generate anything. We've got to find a way to dig in and not put ourselves in that hole. We're going to have to juggle a few things and make sure we have a start that's going to give us a chance to win."
"In each game of this series, Cleveland has scored first within six minutes and dominated the opening period. The Marlies got off to an okay start before a needless icing resulted in a defensive-zone draw in Game 3. Toronto lost the faceoff, but should have cleared the danger before handing the puck in the slot to Owen Sillinger. After the goal, it was one-way traffic."
"The Marlies have scored three five-on-five goals in this series. They all came in Game 1. As Captain Logan Shaw alluded to, the Marlies have spurts of offensive-zone pressure, but nothing approaching sustained pushes to break the will of Cleveland. Toronto has rarely gotten inside on the Monsters, at times appearing to be content to remain on the perimeter. That has to change. The Marlies generated three high-danger chances in the Game 3 loss."
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