Mired in a three-game losing streak – and one night away from facing the red-hot, defending Stanley Cup-champion Chicago Blackhawks – the Maple Leafs decided to use a practice day Thursday to conserve their energy and work out off the ice. And for head coach Mike Babcock, the dry-land workout and team meeting was a chance for Toronto’s players to focus on what went wrong in a flat effort and 3-1 loss to Columbus Wednesday.
“I think it’s real important to live in the present and to be accountable with one another,” Babcock said. “We weren’t ready to go last night.