Babcock makes another crucial mistake in loss and angers fans with postgame comments

The Vegas Golden Knights extended the Toronto Maple Leafs’ losing streak to six games with a 4-2 win on Tuesday night and the Canadian team’s insiders had a lot to say about the club’s performance. 

James Mirtle of The Athletic commented the game on Twitter and the embarrassing stats from the Leafs just kept going on his wire: The Leafs have allowed another goal on the PK. The Leafs PK has allowed 12 goals in the last 10 games now. They’re getting scored on every third one! The Leafs have now given up the first goal 18 times in 23 games, which is last in the NHL.

However, all Leafs insiders noted when head coach Mike Babcock, who is feeling the heat lately, made a crucial mistake in the third period that stunned the reporters and fans. Mirtle was not the only one to point it out!

Why is the fourth line on the ice when you’re down one with six minutes to play?

While trailing just two points behind in the third period, the Leafs could have had the chance to make a comeback and pull within to push the game in overtime. However, Babcock seems to refuse to put his best assets out there to give them that chance! 

After the game, Babcock commented this as he seems to refuse to take responsibility for his poor decisions.  

“We’ve got to stick with it and keep grinding.”

Stick with what? Poor decisions? 

It has been reported that the Leafs’ leadership group held a players only meeting, without their bench boss, to discuss what needs to happen and their plan of action to get back on track.

Babcock, who is in year five of an eight year contract worth $50 million, has come under fire for his strategies this season, specifically when it comes to the playing time of his superstar players. Too often, fans contend, Babcock elects to sit game breakers like Auston Matthews and William Nylander in favour of fourth line grinders or defensive specialists. He’s an old school coach in a new school league, as they say. Because of his inability to adapt, these fans are calling for Babcock’s job in Toronto.

After Tuesday’s loss, it feels like the seat got even hotter for Babcock.