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The Toronto Maple Leafs got defenseman Morgan Rielly back and January’s Rookie of the Month Mitch Marner scored the opening goal, but that was about all that was positive in the game, as the St. Louis Blues scored three second period goals in a 5-1 victory over the Leafs at Scottrade Center on Thursday.
“(The Blues) were faster, more determined (and) executed better, they were on top of us and we weren't good enough. We didn't have enough players being good enough.… Head coach Mike Babcock said following the game. “The bottom line is we had a good thing going and we were playing good and we've let it slip away here. Now you've got to fight hard to get it back.…
Mitch Marner opened the scoring with this one. Toronto and St. Louis are tied 1-1 headed to the first intermission.#TMLtalk pic.twitter.com/Ia4GkiaUxa
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) February 3, 2017
The defeat was Toronto’s third straight in regulation on the road after a streak of earning points in 11 straight road games and has the Leafs three points in back of Philadelphia for the final Eastern Conference wild card spot and three points behind the Boston Bruins for third place in the Atlantic.
“There's no sense feeling sorry for yourself or being frustrated. You've got to get your mind in gear, you've got to get your game right and you've got to play harder.… Babcock said. “ When you do that and you play with structure, you'll be fine. In the meantime, it's not going as good as we'd like it to go.…
Toronto has showed a lack of energy at times and have allowed 11 goals in losses to Dallas and the Blues after the All-Star break, which brings up the question of whether the young squad is starting to feel the pressure of the race for a playoff spot or whither against other teams who have stepped up their effort in the second half.
Steen goal pic.twitter.com/pPBxBMo9u6
— nope (@myregularface) February 3, 2017
Goalie Frederik Andersen has been average in his two post All-Star starts, allowing five goals on 31 shots on Thursday after being pulled in the first period against the Stars, but has more been victimized by the Leafs blueline, which has allowed opposing forwards a clear path to the net.
The Leafs may catch a break in Boston on Saturday, as the Bruins could be without goalie Tuukka Rask and center Patrice Bergeron, who were both injured in a loss to Washington earlier this week, but a daunting schedule of five games in eight nights may clarify if Toronto is truly in the playoff race or finding out what they need to prepare for in the near future.
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