from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,

When it comes to their development, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring to mind a favourite old line around the NHL – they’re playing good enough to lose.

In other words, the youthful Leafs are not losing in bunches like last season’s dispirited group. They attack every game with enthusiasm and offensive skills that can be dazzling at times, but there are still enough holes in their game that the Leafs are still finding ways to turn what should be wins into losses.

So far this month, the Leafs have just two wins in eight games, with their habit of sagging in the third period proving costly. Their biggest problem areas are a lack of discipline and corresponding dip in their penalty killing, faceoffs (exacerbated by injuries to two centres) and consistency on defence.

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