SUNRISE, Fla. — Matthew Knies used a critical word to describe his team`s performance.
That word was “soft,” a harsh assessment in hockey.
This is not how you want your team to be described just before the playoffs, especially after a significant loss to a rival when home-ice advantage was within reach.
“We tried to respond, but I don’t think we were effective enough. Our physicality was lacking; we played a bit soft in some aspects and weren`t consistent for the entire game. We must learn from this before the playoffs,” Knies commented after their 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers Tuesday night.
The final score was more flattering to Toronto than their actual play.
Among the Maple Leafs players who spoke after the game, it was the youngest who offered the most insightful and honest critique of their team’s lackluster effort.
“We need better communication and more energy,” the 22-year-old Knies added. “We were slow to get to the puck. Our lack of offensive creation definitely affected us. We need to remember that simple, fundamental hockey will generate offense and bring the energy we need.”
