'We Didn't Have It': Maple Leafs' Spirit-Lacking Loss Calls For More Energetic Starts Moving Forward

The Toronto Maple Leafs chased the New Jersey Devils all night long on Sunday, dropping the contest 4-0. This is the Maple Leafs' third straight loss at home and their fifth loss in six games.

There has been a theme to those recent losses, and what they all have in common is that Toronto has given up the first goal, forcing the team to chase. After giving up the first goal, the Devils never looked back, and the Maple Leafs lost some life, seemingly.

"Guys got to look in the mirror and just ask a little bit more of themselves and take on a little bit more," captain Auston Matthews said post-game. "I hope it's something that can kind of propel us forward and bring us a little bit closer together, and can get back to our game and get back to playing the right way."

"I thought tonight was really important that we scored first because we were hanging," Maple Leafs coach Jim Hiller said. "We went down to Montreal. We tried to battle our way back. I thought tonight's first goal was going to be really important. And when they got it, I completely agree. We fell back."

"We've been finding ourselves chasing a lot of games lately, and especially on a back to back, it's not easy to get back in the game on a back to back," defenseman Jake McCabe added.

On a smaller scale, Toronto has lacked offense in its last three games, ever since this long homestand began. The team hasn't scored more than two goals in a game since the start of November.

This game against the Devils comes on the second half of a back-to-back situation, following a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. Despite losing that game the way they did, Hiller liked that performance. But on Sunday, his team lacked energy.

"Well, I thought we actually played pretty well (on Saturday)," Hiller said. "And I think we emptied the tank. And I don't want to make excuses, but it's pretty hard coming back when you play a lot of guys. And then you miss a few guys who are important players for you on the same side of it, right? So you're already the tanks down a little bit. And then you come back again, you lower it again. So we didn't have it. That's the bottom line. Just didn't have it."

McCabe was asked what needs to change the most from Toronto's 4-0 loss to New Jersey, to the next game on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. His answer echoed Hiller's perspective on how the team "didn't have it."

"I just think the excitement, the energy of the start of the game, and try to be patient, but in getting that lead, I think is important because, like I said, we have been chasing a lot of games, and that wears on you," he said. "So I think you know, come back confident, composed, just competitive skating, and you know, get a little bit of momentum back in our sails."

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