Maple Leafs blow multi-goal lead in 4th consecutive game
Robert Mayer / USA Today Sports
A troublesome trend is plaguing the growth of the youthful Toronto Maple Leafs.
Despite entering Tuesday's contest versus the Capitals on the high of a five-game winning streak, the Maple Leafs let it all slip away in the final frame again, this time coming away on the losing end.
It marked the eighth time Toronto has squandered a multi-goal lead in the third period, and, remarkably, the fourth game in a row.
The numbers speak for themselves:
| Date | Opponent | 3rd period lead | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec. 28 | Panthers | 2-0 | OTW |
| Dec. 29 | Lightning | 2-0 | OTW |
| Jan. 1 | Red Wings | 4-1 | OTW |
| Jan. 3 | Capitals | 4-2, 5-4 | OTL |
Head coach Mike Babcock has harped about the club's need to close out games to take the next step all season long, and while they've been able to come away with some wins recently, Tuesday's contest was evidence that if you play with fire too many times, you will in fact get burned.
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