Leafs

Did the Leafs turn the clock back 12 months Monday night when they blew a two-goal lead while dropping at 3-2 verdict in overtime to the Columbus Blue Jackets?The quick answer is no.“I don’t think we sat on (the lead),” Leafs coach Mike Babcock said after Toronto gave up a pair of goals 108 seconds apart late in the third period to drop a game in which they scored first and then controlled much of the third period.“We lost the game but we didn’t drop back on our heels, so that doesn’t even concern me. What concerns me is you gotta learn, you gotta learn just how hard it is to win.” Read more: … [Read more...] about Leafs blow late lead to Jackets, lose in overtime

With six goals in the seven games since returning to the Maple Leafs lineup on Dec. 23, Auston Matthews certainly is putting up the kind of number that impress.Coach Mike Babcock said his star centre, though, is not quite all the way back.“The measure of you people is whether he scored or not,” said Babcock. “The measure for me is does he skate? Does he play 200 feet? Does he dominate the game? “Anytime you’ve been out for periods of time like he has, you don’t skate as good as you normally do. So that’s probably still in process.”Matthews missed four games in mid-November, believed to be due to a back injury, and six more games in December due to a concussion. He returned for the last game before Christmas against the Rangers. … [Read more...] about Leafs’ Auston Matthews scoring but not soaring, Babcock says

The early-season angst surrounding Mitch Marner and William Nylander seems to have vanished.The young Maple Leafs — Marner is 20, Nylander is 21 — seem to have found their footing, putting up points and playing the minutes they were accustomed to in their rookie season.“I’m definitely back to the way that I should be playing,” Marner said. “I’ve been happy the last couple of games.”“Just trying to stick to the way I’ve been playing lately and not changing much,” Nylander said. “Just working and trying to create chances. It feels good out there.”Both players saw their minutes limited in the first half of the season. Both saw time on the fourth line, creating an angst among the fan base as well as swelling fears about sophomore slumps. … [Read more...] about Leafs’ Mitch Marner, William Nylander shake free of sophomore struggles

The Maple Leafs are looking for a measure of revenge on Monday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Air Canada Centre.Goalie Frederik Andersen will be in the Leafs net as they try to avenge a 4-2 loss in Columbus on Dec. 20.“They slapped us around the last time we were in their building, so we have to be ready to play,” said Leafs coach Mike Babcock. The Blue Jackets did not skate Monday morning, after having played against Florida — a 3-2 shootout win — on Sunday. It’s expected backup Joonas Korpisalo, who beat the Leafs last time out, will start in net for the Blue Jackets.Babcock hopes the Blue Jackets are the more tired team. The Leafs had Sunday off. … [Read more...] about Dermott moves up as Leafs look for redemption against Blue Jackets