Blowing leads becoming all too familiar for Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs let another lead get away from them on Thursday night.
After mounting a 2-0 advantage in the second period in their clash with the Philadelphia Flyers, the club watched as its gutsy effort was quickly erased with the Flyers tying the game before the third period was four minutes old.
The Maple Leafs took the Flyers to the extra session - which they have done in five of their last six games - but ultimately Sean Couturier had the dagger just 18 seconds in to hand the Maple Leafs their fourth straight loss.
The game was an example of a recent trend that has found its way into the Maple Leafs' game - blowing leads. Thursday marked the fourth time in the last six that the Maple Leafs have coughed up a lead.
| Date | Opponent | Lead Blown | Final Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan. 4 | Sharks | 2-1 | W 3-2 (SO) |
| Jan. 8 | Blue Jackets | 2-0 | L 3-2 (OT) |
| Jan. 16 | Blues | 1-0 | L 2-1 (OT) |
| Jan. 18 | Flyers | 2-0 | L 3-2 (OT) |
Of course, this unfortunate fad is nothing new for the Maple Leafs, as fans might recall the club was notorious last season for giving up leads late in games as well. In fact, the team blew 11 leads of two or more goals in 82 games last season, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton, who defines a blown lead as being when the opposing team is able to secure at least one point.
Luckily for the Maple Leafs, the so-called "pity points" have allowed them to construct a 12-point lead over the next-closest Atlantic club (the Detroit Red Wings), meaning there's no panic in Leaf Land - yet.