Maple Leafs' Horachek benches Kessel: 'We've got to expect more out of his line'
Toronto Maple Leafs interim coach Peter Horachek was not happy with what he saw from his top line in Tuesday's loss to the New York Rangers.
Horachek limited Phil Kessel's time on ice to 12:57, moving Toronto's top offensive player to the fourth line midway through the contest. Kessel was on the ice for four of the Rangers' five goals - including the winner and Horachek didn't hold back his disappointment in his post-game remarks.
Horachek on Kessel: "We've got to expect more out of his line, out of him, out of the rest of our players."
— David Pagnotta (@TheFourthPeriod) February 11, 2015
The Maple Leafs were able to claw back and tie the game in the third period, but they allowed the Rangers to fire 39 shots and surrendered a soft shorthanded goal - two things that are unacceptable for Horachek.
Peter Horachek: "The give-a-shit meter has to be higher."
— Bruce Arthur (@bruce_arthur) February 11, 2015
Kessel's time on ice has declined steadily since the end of January. In the past five games, his playing time has dwindled from 20:31 to Tuesday's total of 12:57, which came close to the shortest time in his tenure with Toronto.