On a relatively quiet night on the NHL schedule, the Toronto Maple Leafs took centre stage — what’s new, right? — as they looked to get back on the winning track. They took to the ice with a new coach, but did they have a new attitude and sense of urgency as well? Not quite.
Here are three things we learned Wednesday in the NHL:
Leafs show little promise in first post-Carlyle game
The first Maple Leafs game in the post-Randy Carlyle era came and went just like the last one with him behind the bench: with a disheartening loss. A 6-2 drubbing at the hands of the Washington Capitals is not the way to quell the controversy and criticism that runs rampant around this Leafs squad.
The environment at the Air Canada Centre seemed to mimic the Leafs’ performance as fans at the ACC Wednesday were apathetic – a stark contrast to how lively that building was during the world juniors.
An optimist would look at this game and take positives out of the fact players like Roman Polak showed he’s willing to fight through discomfort to help his team; the fact Peter Horachek wasn’t shy about making in-game adjustments as he juggled the lines; the fact Nazem Kadri returned to the lineup; the fact the team only allowed 26 shots which is the lowest total since Dec. 4; and, the fact that the Capitals are a hot team having now won 11 of their last 15 games.
However, optimism isn’t a trait commonly found in Leaf Land these days. Everything is magnified when it comes to this team and although storylines sometimes get blown out of proportion, Wednesday’s poor effort and loss was the worst possible outcome at this point in the season given how everything unfolded Tuesday.
At least Phil Kessel tried to see the silver lining.
Bruins get the memo
While the Leafs responded to a coaching change with a poor effort, their Original Six rival Boston Bruins picked up a key two points against the Metropolitan Division-leading Pittsburgh Penguins after a tongue-lashing from their CEO Charlie Jacobs.
When someone as high up on the franchise food chain as a CEO says it “has been a very disappointing year” and calls your team’s recent performances “unacceptable” it’s a wakeup call that things must change or else your coach, Claude Julien in this case, could be on the hot seat.
Well, the Bruins responded indeed.
Literal signs pay off
Leafs fans left the Air Canada Centre disappointed Wednesday, but this young Capitals fan left with a huge smile and a new hockey stick.