Toronto Maple Leafs hit with new problem that needs to be solved before it's too late
The Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Dallas Stars last night, however, the game exposed a new problem for the team that needs to be nipped in the bud immediately.
Last night's Maple Leafs win was a good one as the final score was 5-3, and the team finally got some much-needed offense from its bottom six.
However, the Leafs were down early and they clearly struggled to get anything going in the first period.
Toronto Maple Leafs are struggling to start games
Unfortunately, the early-going struggles have become commonplace over the last three games.
Against the Detroit Red Wings, the Leafs went down early and they ultimately lost the game.
The Buffalo Sabres had the Leafs on the ropes as the score was 2-0 early, although the Maple Leafs were able to mount a pretty impressive comeback.
Meanwhile, the Stars were the better team in the first period and things were not looking too good.
As it turns out, over the last three games, the Leafs have been getting outshot 41-11 in the first period.
While this may be a stat that some fans try to overlook, doing so would be a huge mistake.
At the end of the day, in order to play winning hockey, you have to have a good game for all sixty minutes that you are on the ice.
While the Maple Leafs were able to get two wins despite slow starts, this is something they will need to nip in the bud now.
This is not the kind of pattern that you want to be enacting in the postseason when teams bring their best foot forward.
On Friday night, the Maple Leafs play the Buffalo Sabres, and that will be a great opportunity to turn the tide.
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 19 | 170 ANSWERS Toronto Maple Leafs hit with new problem that needs to be solved before it's too late Do you believe the Toronto Maple Leafs have anything to worry about going into the New Year? | ||
| YES | 82 | 48.2 % |
| NO | 88 | 51.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
