"After Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews had some telling remarks about the team's slow start that ultimately cost them the game.
«Our first period was pretty brutal, we definitely stepped it up in the second and third,» Matthews said. «We're passed those lesson games, we've had enough of those last year.»
Head coach Mike Babcock was asked about Matthews' comments and he did not disagree.
«It's one of those things,» Babcock replied, per Maple Leafs Hot Stove. «There was no morning skate or nothing this morning, obviously, and we've shown how we handle that. The bottom line is, if you want to be a real good team, you've got to play every day. You've got to play every night and you've got to start on time if you're going to be successful. Nothing wrong with our effort in the second and third with those details and how we played, but you've got to start on time. You spend the whole night giving away two points just because you didn't get prepared.»
Wonder how many more morning skates will be skipped going forward? "
