The Toronto Maple Leafs just can’t catch a break. Brandon Carlo’s recovery has hit another snag, with the defenseman heading back to Toronto for medical evaluation.
Head coach Craig Berube broke the disappointing news to reporters on Monday.
It’s the latest in a string of injuries that’s forcing the Leafs to shuffle their lineup almost daily. The constant changes are really taking a toll on the team’s ability to play together smoothly.
Without a solid defensive core, the Leafs are struggling to stop high-danger scoring chances from their opponents.
The pressure’s now falling on offensive stars to play both ways – defending their own end while trying to create scoring chances. Morgan Rielly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson can handle big minutes, but even they’re getting stretched thin.
Berube might need to rotate players or call up some help from the minors. But he knows that’s just putting a band-aid on a bigger problem.
While you can’t control injuries, you can control how you deal with them. The Leafs have shown flashes of brilliance and grit this season, but these defensive woes keep holding them back.
The solution needs to be straightforward: cut down on turnovers and make cleaner breakouts from their own zone.
There was finally some good news Tuesday night, when the Leafs grabbed a solid 4-1 win on the road against the Florida Panthers.
But the real test will come when the defense gets healthy. That’s when Berube needs to lock in his defensive pairs and let them build some chemistry together.
