Chicago is mired in a five-game losing slide that’s been exacerbated by the absence of two critical parts of their veteran core they were depending on to keep them competitive in games this season: Taylor Hall is out for the season due to knee surgery, and known Leaf killer Corey Perry — a healthy scratch on Wednesday, missing from practice on Thursday — is away from the team as trade speculation swirls and the organization stays mum in the media as to the nature of his absence.
If last Friday’s game against the Red Wings (played after a similarly long layoff) is any indication, it may take some time for the Leafs to get their game legs underneath them and find their timing and rhythm, but hopefully, some lessons are learned from the experience a week ago.