Coach Mike Babcock says Leafs have to get better in home opener against Rangers
TORONTO — Despite watching his team win 7-2 in Winnipeg to kick off the season, Mike Babcock wants improvements in Saturday’s home opener against the New York Rangers.
The Maple Leafs coach reeled off Toronto’s eight penalties Wednesday night against the Jets, a docket that ranged from too many men on the ice and an equipment violation (Leo Komarov’s askew visor) to four high-sticking calls.
“Stay out of the box, that will really help us with goals-against and then just (a) commitment to doing things right,” Babcock’s wish list read after practice Friday. “As a group, we have been through enough. We know how to do it right, we’ve just got to do it right.”
Goaltender Frederik Andersen helped Toronto survive a rocky opening that saw three straight Leaf penalties. Then Toronto’s high-octane offence kicked into gear.