from David Shoalts of the Globe and Mail,

Given the excessive volume that always accompanies the Toronto Maple Leafs, their first serious skid of the season is setting off the usual panic in the Leafs Nation hen house.

Even though the problems need immediate attention if the Leafs are to continue their surprising run toward the NHL playoffs, a consideration of all the factors involved does not reveal any serious flaws in the organization’s grand plan. The team’s reaction to a stretch of adversity – a 2-3-1 record in the six games they were without their best defenceman, Morgan Rielly, and their current three-game losing streak – should not be taken as the Leafs hitting a wall but as a team showing its true status.

The Leafs are a young, developing team and reacted to their recent troubles as such a team usually does; given the number of problems that came along almost at once, it is no surprise they overwhelmed the team.

These problems need to be dealt with quickly or the Leafs will see the one advantage they have with the schedule melt away.

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