Maple Leafs look for answers after fifth straight home loss

The Toronto Maple Leafs held an off-ice workout at Rogers Centre on Friday, a day after a 5–2 loss to the Minnesota Wild extended their home skid to five games. The team used the Toronto Blue Jays’ facilities for meetings and a workout, and players took batting practice, Sportsnet reported.

The visit had been planned weeks earlier, according to Sportsnet. Coach Jim Hiller said he hoped the change in routine would give the team some energy. Captain Auston Matthews said the chance to play baseball brought back memories of his childhood and offered a break from thinking about hockey.

After Thursday’s loss, Matthews said the home skid had shaken the team’s confidence and urged his teammates to keep pushing each other. Hiller pointed to the fourth line as a reason for optimism after Thursday’s loss, and on Friday he singled out turnovers that leave the team defending off the rush.

Toronto has scored nine goals and allowed 22 in five games on this homestand. The Maple Leafs are 8–11–2 overall and have won once in their last eight games.

The Edmonton Oilers visit Scotiabank Arena on Saturday for the final game of the homestand.