Leafs' offense falls flat again in loss to Red Wings
December has turned the Toronto Maple Leafs' offense ice-cold.
After netting 50 goals in 15 games through November - the NHL's highest mark - the Leafs have experienced a complete turnaround in the final month of 2017, and continued the trend Friday in a 3-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings.
Through seven December games, Toronto ranks 31st with 10 goals for, and it's no coincidence the club has dropped three consecutive decisions with the offense floundering.
Here's a look at some of the Leafs' offensive numbers this month:
| November | Stat | December |
|---|---|---|
| 10-3-1 | Record | 3-4-0 |
| 3.33 | Goals per game | 1.42 |
| 29.7 | Shots per game | 27 |
| 8-for-38 (21%) | Power play | 1-for-17 (0.05%) |
Of course, Toronto has played the last four games without superstar Auston Matthews, which surely contributes to the lack of offensive punch. Still, with three straight losses in tow, the Leafs will need to find their spark again before playing five of six on the road to close out 2017.