The Toronto Maple Leafs seem like they’re embracing new ideas, yet Saturday’s 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins brought up a lot of old feelings and problems.
Jonathan Bernier was pulled from the net, yet it’s clear that goaltending isn’t the only problem. (In fact, it’s often a saving grace.)
Raise your hand - but for your health, don’t take a shot - if you’ve heard this before:
- After the game, head coach Randy Carlyle gave the team an extended verbal beating in the locker room, according to Sportsnet’s Chris Johnston.
Cody Franson on Carlyle's message: "We all know that wasn't near good enough and he affirmed that."
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 26, 2014
- His prevailing emotions are “anger and frustration,” as TSN’s Jonas Siegel notes.
- Dion Phaneuf spoke about just getting dominated (via The Globe & Mail’s James Mirtle):
Phaneuf: "We got beat in every aspect of the game again."
— James Mirtle (@mirtle) October 26, 2014
- As far as giving a more concrete description of the loss, more than a few Leafs are confused:
Joffrey Lupul is perplexed by the lopsided losses. "We've got to fix that or this team isn't going anywhere."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 26, 2014
While others speak about effort:
Nazem Kadri says the #leafs "have to start caring a little more." Oh boy.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 26, 2014
With the increased interest in “fancy stats” (or at least public acknowledgment of that interest) and supposed nerdy thinking, the Leafs seem like they’re guilty of Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, yet expecting different results.