With more than 25 percent of the 2015-16 NHL regular season completed, the Maple Leafs were making the most of a lull in their schedule: neither starting goalie James Reimer nor veteran winger Joffrey Lupul were on the ice with the team Wednesday – although both are expected to return to action in Toronto’s next game Saturday against Washington. Head coach Mike Babcock worked with his players to address a number of areas at the team’s west-end practice facility.
And, just as the game has evolved over the years, so too has practice.
“They’re a little shorter, there’s a little more pace to them, the drills relate more to games with that up-tempo,” said winger Brad Boyes, now in his 11th NHL season, of the difference in practices he’s noticed.