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NHL coaches do not want to admit that there are things as “schedule losses”, because they want their clubs to get over those kinds of hurdles and fight for every point, when making the playoffs or finishing in first place could depend on it. The Toronto Maple Leafs 6-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets would seem to be one where the Leafs have the advantage, but after a hard-fought victory over Atlantic rival Tampa Bay on Monday, Toronto’s squad seemed gassed and unenergetic for most of the contest.
"I didn’t feel like we skated very well tonight. They skated through us all night. We didn’t win many puck battles tonight, (we) didn’t defend very well tonight and that’s what you get.” Leafs head coach Craig Berube said after the game. “(The schedule), that’s an excuse, though, isn’t it, so I’m not going there."
Toronto’s third loss in seven games is hardly a reason for panic or concern, but when you consider that two of the three losses were to Montreal Canadiens and Columbus (clubs that have been predicted to final in last in their respective divisions), it brings up the age-old concern of the Leafs not being able to bank points against lesser opponents, something that top-echelon teams due with more regularity.
Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson scored for Toronto after Columbus had bolted out to a 5-0 lead by the middle of the second period. Dennis Hildeby was not as sharp as his first NHL start in New Jersey earlier in the month, but the rookie faced 38 shots in the second of back-to-back games.
The most concerning news for the club is the status of veteran Max Pacioretty. The winger did not return for the third period due to what the team revealed was a lower-body injury. Berube after the game indicated that he did not have an update on the injury. The 35-year-old won a job at training camp and has two goals in limited play this season after coming back from a pair of Achilles injuries.
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • 
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