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The Toronto Maple Leafs continue to encounter offensive difficulties during the month of December, losing 3-1 to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena on Friday.
Andreas Borgman scored his third goal of the season and Curtis McElhinney made 26 saves for Toronto, who followed up back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and Edmonton with losses in three straight road games.
Unlike the boring and lethargic performances of the last two games, the Leafs started quickly and played their best hockey in the opening period, outshooting Detroit 12-7 and taking a 1-0 lead just under two minutes into the first. A face-off win in the offensive zone by Dominic Moore and pass by Matt Martin set up Borgman for a point shot that snuck past Wings goalie Jimmy Howard.
Toronto began to lose a territorial edge in the second and third periods. Detroit tied the game early in the second as Danny Dekeyser jumped into the attack and snapped a wrist shot over the glove of McElhinney.
The Wings took advantage of a disorganized Leafs power play later in the middle frame, as Trevor Daley was allowed a clear path to the net on a short-handed two-on-one by Jake Gardiner and snapped it short side past the Leafs backup.
“When (DeKeyser) scored, I thought we came unraveled a little bit. We turned too many pucks over and, in the end, end(ed) up chasing the game.… Leafs head coach Mike Babcock said after the game. “I thought we were still right there at 2-1, (but) when (Tomas Tatar) scored on that power play on a sort out going to our net, that was the end of us for sure.…
The contest in Detroit was the Leafs fifth game in seven days and while fatigue may have been a factor, the absence of Auston Matthews appears to be more of the cause of their offensive drought.
The Leafs are under .500 (3-4-0) in December. After scoring four times against the Cup champion Penguins with Matthews in the lineup last Saturday, Toronto has averaged just one goal per game playing a more conservative style without their leading scorer available.
“We've had a tough schedule and all that stuff, but in saying that, good teams find ways no matter if you've played five-in-seven or whatever they've played.… Babcock said. “Good teams find ways to dig in and win this game and they do it on, not necessarily on skill, but on determination and good composure and knowing how to play right.…
The Leafs will enjoy a three day break from action before their next game, an unusual 2pm afternoon start against the Carolina Hurricanes next Tuesday, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Toronto Arenas first NHL game against the Montreal Wanderers.
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