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The Toronto Maple Leafs are unbeaten and have scored 15 goals in Winnipeg and in a 8-5 victory over the New York Rangers at Air Canada Centre on Saturday, but the fact that the Leafs blew a big lead in their home opener is an early sign that the young club continues to struggle with playing a disciplined game.
The contest had a wide open feel right off the bat, as former Ranger Dominic Moore and JT Miller exchanged goals before four minutes had elapsed, and Zach Hyman, Jake Gardiner, Nikita Zaitsev and Hyman scored again to give the Leafs a commanding 5-1 lead, but New York got a late goal in the waning moments of the first to start their comeback.
The middle frame was all Rangers as Mika Zibanejad, Marc Staal and Mats Zuccarello tied the game, but the Leafs regained control in the third, as Frederik Andersen kept the game even until Tyler Bozak scored the game winner midway through the third.
“I thought we had a much better third. The first period, technically and structurally, we played good – we really worked and had the puck. In the second period it was just -- I don't know what we were doing. We got away from our game.… Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “That's the way sports should be, when you don't do anything great you shouldn't have success and we didn't.…
Toronto encountered this problem last season. In nine games, the Leafs surrendered a lead of two goals or more and in only three of those games, did they end up on the winning end. Those squandered points were the difference between clinching a playoff spot in the second last game of the season and finishing in second or third place in the Atlantic Division.
“It's kind of fun, eh? But it's dumb. So, you have to decide. We had lots of guys take their turn turning it over and being silly and doing crazy things. In saying that, we also had a lot of guys play real hard at times and do things right.… Babcock said.
Toronto will take on the red-hot Chicago Black Hawks on Monday. The Hawks scored 10 goals against the Stanley Cup Champion Penguins last week and bested the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1 on Saturday.
Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!
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