from Chris Johnston of Sportsnet,

The Leafs have employed a much sounder brand of hockey, sure, but they’ve only managed to score eight times while dropping six of the last seven games. And with James van Riemsdyk sidelined for the next month or more, there isn’t much promise of an offensive explosion to come.

“What are you expecting?” said Babcock. “I think these forwards are doing what they do. How many guys really score? You know what I mean? Let’s grind, let’s play.”

In other words, he’ll gladly live through dull 1-0 games as long as his team starts finding a way to come out on top. In fact, that’s basically how he thinks the Leafs need to play at this stage.

“James (van Riemsdyk) scored, right?” said Babcock. “James and (Nazem Kadri) scored, who else? So let’s go to work, let’s just find ways to win games. Let’s get people to the net and pucks to the net. It’s not going to be pretty, but I don’t think that surprises anybody.”

continued