Unser Chat » Amid the Leafs longest losing streak of the season

TORONTO – It was nearing the end of a Monday practice and Randy Carlyle was flashing a menacing grin. All those under the age of 24, he said, were due an extra round of skating from sideboard to sideboard. Amid the Leafs longest losing streak of the season and a dismal November, which included two regulation wins in 13 games (4-6-3,) Carlyle is doing his best to remain calm. "Stress varies in coaching," said Carlyle, ahead of a Tuesday tilt with the scorching San Jose Sharks, who have won eight of their past 10 games. "Id say its always high, but [not getting] to the boiling point, its real difficult at times." "Our job is to be the calming influence," he continued, "and our job is to show leadership. Leaders, you cant be going off on your players on a continual basis because they become numb. I think that the screaming and hollering, weve done enough of that at times. Now is the time to accentuate the positives that they bring, correct and instruct and coach the negatives out of our group." Not much went right for his team in the second month of the season, one that ended with four straight losses, nine defeats in 13 games and a seven-game road losing skid. Their defensive troubles remained constant, their offence struggled to produce at even-strength, and one-half of their previously dominant special teams took a hit, their penalty kill dipping to 24th overall. Even the goaltending, superb under considerable strain for the opening six weeks, finally buckled somewhat under a heavy load in recent days. Though their record said otherwise (10-4-0,) October offered many of the same concerning traits to Carlyle and his coaching staff (save for goaltending and special teams.) But, because the wins kept coming, urgency amongst his players remained relatively low. "When youre winning youre winning," said Phil Kessel, who cooled in November with just six points in 14 games. "Its a result-based business. You want to win, so youre always positive when youre winning games. Obviously [the] last month has been a little tougher. We didnt win as many games as wed like and we didnt play as well as wed like. But its a long season. Theres ups and downs. Well get out of that and stay positive." With much of their October luck disappearing in recent weeks – their save percentage and shooting percentage both trending downward – Carlyles message, which urged the need for improvement throughout, is now carrying more weight with it. His early concerns have finally bubbled into real trouble, the Leafs now fifth in the Atlantic Division. "The one thing about what happens is when you continue to have success and youre doing it that way its not as drastic," said Carlyle. "But weve been hit right with a hammer right now so we know where were at and we know what we need to do to correct ourselves. All weve asked of our players is we want 10 per cent more from every individual in there and, in some cases, I believe theres 20 per cent more for people to give." "When a coach tells you that, obviously, you look yourself in the mirror, you think over your practice habits, your game habits, your routine and you just make sure that theres nothing slipping in that you need to change," said James Reimer, who has allowed nine goals in his past two starts. "Once you realize that, you put your nose to the grindstone and work your butt off." The Leafs have yet to consistently brand themselves in the fashion that Carlyle would like, that of an aggressive blue-collar hockey club. Of late, hes been troubled by the quality of opportunities for the opposition in the "critical areas" of the ice, the increasing amount of odd-man rushes against and ongoing problems with discipline, the Leafs guilty of the third-most minor penalties this season. "Thus our penalty killing has been taxed," said Carlyle. That penalty kill, ranked second overall last season, allowed 15 goals in November and was successful to the tune of just 70 per cent. Troubles in that regard only accentuated the hefty strain on the two goaltenders, Reimer and Jonathan Bernier victim to the most shots against nightly this season (36 per game.) Improbably saving the day early and often, the tandem has predictably cooled in recent weeks. Reimer and Bernier have combined for an .894 save percentage in the past six games. "Were giving up a lot of chances," said Kessel. “"You cant give as many chances as weve been giving up." While their power-play has remained effective, still ranked as the 5th best this season, the Leafs productivity at even-strength has fallen on hard times. They scored just 18 such goals in 13 November games, managing two goals (overall) or fewer in nine of 13 games. Hoping to spark some change in that respect, Carlyle decided hed enough, for the moment, with the combination of Nazem Kadri and David Clarkson. Clarkson was replaced by Nik Kulemin on a line that also features Mason Raymond. "Were not creating enough," said Carlyle. "Were not creating enough chances and were not creating enough from an offensive standpoint. For me and for us we waited to do an analysis over the three games and we just felt there wasnt enough there." Depth offensively continues to be an issue. Of the 72 goals the Leafs have scored this season, 59 or 82 per cent have come for a group of just seven players, one of them being the injured Dave Bolland. Led by Dion Phaneuf, the defence has just three goals all season. "Were always looking and reviewing the things that you do wrong and there are some things that need addressing – were not going to hide from the fact of that – but we believe that the corrections are very easily adaptable," Carlyle said after a practice which included work on defensive zone coverage, breakouts, and special teams. "Now, does it happen overnight?" he finished with a laugh. "I hope so." Craig Biggio Jersey . I kept my eyes focused up on the camera during each approach. I just tried to stay focused on my form, as I didnt know what the ball reaction was. I was quite emotional at the end. I did not actually see any of the shots in the game until I got home and watched the video. Jimmy Wynn Jersey . "Hopefully well get all this out of the way," he said, "and everyone will be healthy the rest of the year." 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"After consultation with the Team USA medical staff and officials, it was determined that he should return to Winnipeg as a precaution due to his previous injury history," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Wednesday in a statement.Who chirps the most on Canadas Mens Rugby Team?Jebb Sinclair, without a doubt. He can be really good at it, and he could probably dig himself into some holes, but hes the one.(Lorne Collicutt/Rugby Canada)Whats the worst/grossest thing that has ever happened to you in a scrum?Im lucky enough that most of my rugby is played in the back row, where its just my own teammate. But Ive had some time in the second row, and Ive had some scrums come over top of me, and Ive definitely had some groin areas up in the face, which hasnt been so pleasant.Whats the worst injury you have seen playing rugby?Ive been really fortunate myself, not really having any bad injuries, but I saw a guy completely do his knee this year. All the ligaments as well as hyper extended, I think. Yeah, that was bad. And it was just coming off of a year that he spent recovering from a groin injury. One of the best players Ive ever seen play, and a great guy, but just really unfortunate.How much have you seen the sport grow since youve started?Its hard to say because Ive been so involved in it, but I think if you take a step back and look at it from the outside, were getting people coming up to us in grocery stores and saying, "Good luck against Scotland," which just means rugby is growing so much with the general public.What are you most looking forward to about playing against Scotland on Saturday?Being att home, having my family here, having so many people that have helped me get to where I am right now being able to watch the game.dddddddddddd And to sort of give back to them and see them after the game. Its really meaningful when you get to play games at home, because it doesnt happen often.Whats the best part of playing at BMO Field? It must feel like home for Canadas Mens Rugby Team.Yeah, that is the best part. I think its our unofficial home, and its so nice to see it selling out because when I started playing that never would have happened. So were almost in awe when we see this happen in Canada. I think thats the best part: the fan support.Tyler Ardron (Left), Hubert Buydens (Middle), and Adam Kleeberger (Right) (Lorne Collicutt/Rugby Canada)At the Rugby World Cup in 2011, Canadas Mens Rugby Teams "Beardos" became a major phenomenon, and the whole country was united behind them. Looking ahead to 2015, will the beards be coming back?I dont know if you could say theyre coming back. For someone like Hubert [Buydens], I dont think he has ever lost his. Its in full force and will be this weekend. But I dont think anyone else is going to try take on that same role. Well probably try something new.Who grows the worst beard on the team?I would say my best friend and roommate Jeff Hassler. Hes tried to grow a beard and it just turns into a bad moustache. ' ' '