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From the glass is half-empty perspective; the Toronto Maple Leafs put forth an incomplete effort for the third straight game. They were dominated in the first period in Winnipeg last week and lost a four-goal lead against the New York Rangers in the second period on Saturday, but most observers are looking at the club with a half-full mentality.
The Leafs powerhouse offense leads the NHL with 19 goals and the club has a perfect 3-0 record after a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over the Chicago Black Hawks at Air Canada Centre on Monday.
After giving up two goals in the first, the Leafs trailed 3-1 midway through the third, but rallied with a pair of goals from Connor Brown and James van Riemsdyk to tie the game and in overtime, Auston Matthews sniped the game-winner past Hawks goalie Anton Forsberg.
Toronto look to move to 4-0 on Wednesday when they take on the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, who surprisingly are 2-0 after a 6-2 win in Buffalo on Monday.
“(The Devils) are flying. Their forwards have great speed, they playing a tight game, their doing a good job in the neutral zone and (defensive) zone, so it’s one of those games where you have to be prepared.… Babcock said at the Leafs practice facility on Tuesday. “A big part of it is when you win a game, it’s enjoying that, but getting ready (for) the next day and getting your energy up.…
Josh Leivo, who has yet to play this season, continues to be the odd man out as the Leafs head coach stated that Martin and Brown will play every day on the fourth line.
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Leafs prospect Pierre Engvall suffered a broken clavicle on Saturday playing against his former club Mora IK.
Engvall was selected 188th overall in 2014 and signed a two-year deal with SHL champ HV71 over the summer, and is expected to be out for up to three months.
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