Babcock: Leafs need to 'go back to the drawing board' after loss to Lightning

Mike Babcock was understandably disappointed after the Toronto Maple Leafs squandered a chance to clinch a playoff berth Thursday night.

"We made it way harder than it should (have been)," the head coach told reporters after the 4-1 win by the Tampa Bay Lightning, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "We didn't play like we normally do."

The Leafs never led in the game, which ultimately kept Tampa Bay's playoff hopes alive, moving them within three points of Toronto for the second Eastern Conference wild-card spot.

"We never established the game we normally play," Babcock said. "We got to go back to the drawing board and get re-energized."

Morgan Rielly also lamented the missed opportunity.

"We knew what was at stake," the defenseman said. "We didn't do our job. Not very pleased with the game and it just puts more pressure on the next one."

James van Riemsdyk took a more optimistic view.

"We're in a good spot," the Leafs forward said. "Great spot, actually. We control our own destiny still ... we'll be ready to go for Saturday."

Toronto hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins that evening in their penultimate regular-season game before Sunday's clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Both the Lightning and the New York Islanders sit three points back of the Leafs with two games to play.

The Islanders will play the New Jersey Devils on Saturday, then the Ottawa Senators on Sunday. The Lightning travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Friday night, then host the Buffalo Sabres on Sunday in their regular-season finale.