Spezza: Maple Leafs not a 'fragile group'

Toronto Maple Leafs veteran Jason Spezza doesn't believe that his team will crack easily amid an early-season slump.

"I think for every team that hasn't won, there is a fragile aspect to them. That word has been used by a lot of people, but I don't think we're a fragile group," Spezza said Tuesday, according to The Hockey News' David Alter. "But I think we're a group that is still trying to find their consistency and find our way. We know what a good game feels like; we just haven't been able to do it here recently."

The Maple Leafs have lost four straight games and own a 2-4-1 record, and their stars haven't found the scoresheet as often as they normally do. Auston Matthews has one goal in four contests, while Mitch Marner has one assist in seven games. John Tavares has three points, and William Nylander leads the team with five points.

However, Toronto's underlying numbers tell a different story. The club ranks first in the league with a 55.36 Corsi For rating and sits ninth with a 54.16 expected goals for percentage, according to Natural Stat Trick. The Maple Leafs also lead the NHL with 270 scoring chances.

Spezza said the onus is on the entire team to step up.

"I think a big thing for our guys is realizing that we get out of this as a team," Spezza said. "We're not looking for one or two guys to climb us out of this."

The Maple Leafs are set to take on the winless Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.