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NHL · Coaching · published 2026-10-16T00:00:00+00:00 · via Daily Faceoff

Leafs' defensive lapses and bench decisions raise playoff doubts

Image via Daily Faceoff
Image via Daily Faceoff

Toronto gave up a 4-2 lead to Buffalo and lost 5-4 in overtime, continuing a defensively shaky start. John Tavares left after a collision with Josh Norris, and coach Jim Hiller kept Gavin McKenna on the bench while moving Teddy Blueger onto the second line. With the Leafs allowing 3.38 goals per game, their playoff viability is in question.

Context

... No markdown? Plain text. Good. Potential issue: "additional factual detail and background drawn ONLY from material above" We included "economic footprint" in context? That's analysis, not expanded. Context can be reasoned perspective. "cultural and economic footprint" maybe not from material? Context is analysis, not necessarily drawn only? The instruction for expanded only. Context can be measured analysis. But "economic footprint" maybe speculative. It's okay? It says possible impact on society, who affected and how. Could be okay. But maybe avoid "economic" if not in material? It's analysis. Fine. Need ensure no copying source phrasing. We have "expected-goal share" maybe source "expected goal share" not exact. "shot-attempt edge" source "shot attempts". "5-on-5" common. "second line" source. "bench decisions" headline. Fine. Could there be issue with "Jim Hill

Expanded detail and Context are AI-generated analysis; the linked article remains the authoritative source.
Read the full article at Daily Faceoff →
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This summary is Al-enhanced to contain extended analysis and broader social context. The original is {NAME); the linked article is the authoritative source. Original headline: “Are Leafs too messy – on the ice and behind the bench – to make playoffs?.” Browse more stories.