Maple Leafs’ missing effort results in losing effort against last-place Jackets

The Maple Leafs were in a giving mood Saturday night.

After building a 2-0 lead in the first period, Toronto stumbled defensively, getting outshot badly by the Columbus Blue Jackets, the NHL’s last-place team, over the final two periods to drop an embarrassing 4-3 decision.

The Leafs appeared well on their way to a sweep of their two-games-in-two-nights set with Columbus when William Nylander and Michael Bunting scored first-period goals. The Blue Jackets managed just four shots. But the Leafs’ early dominance — not to mention their focus and their game plan — evaporated in the second period.

The Leafs came into the game with the Eastern Conference’s second-best home record, behind only Boston, and Leafs coach Sheldon Keefe had a message for his players after Columbus scored three times in the second period.

“I told them you got to make a decision how important this is,” Keefe said.

And while the Leafs scored on a power-play to tie the game early the third period — Morgan Rielly converted a Mitch Marner pass 80 seconds in — Columbus regained the lead less than five minutes later.

When asked what went wrong over the final two periods, when the Jackets outshot the Leafs 36-18, Keefe said: “Effort, competitiveness … We got outworked, outplayed.”

And when asked to explain why, Keefe said “I can’t. You guys talked to the players, I’m sure you asked them the same questions. I can’t do the work for them.”

The Leafs fell to 5-2-1 this season in the second half of games on consecutive nights. And they are now 5-4-4 against the bottom four teams in the NHL.

“We have to look at this one and see how we got to play over 60 minutes,” Rielly said.

Minor concerns

Toronto took at least two undisciplined penalties.

William Nylander, who opened the scoring with his 29th goal of the season, threw an elbow into the face of Nick Blankenburg after taking a slash on the tail end of a rush.

“I shot the puck and, a couple of second later, he tried to hit me, so I just got a little (ticked off),” Nylander said.

Keefe did not fault Nylander. “When was the last time you saw William Nylander retaliate … I kinda liked it, to be honest, let the other team know you’re out there.”

Keefe had a more critical view of Bunting, who took a pair of penalties at key moments in the game. “It’s not acceptable, he’s got to stay out on his line.”

Home debut

Joseph Woll suffered the loss in his first career start at home. After a snoozy first period, Columbus outshot Toronto 21-10 in the second.

Woll will likely want the third goal back. He had the puck on his pads, but neither he nor his teammates could corral it. Sean Kuraly scooped it into a half-empty net.

“It was an awesome atmosphere to play in,” Woll said. “It’s definitely an experience I’m going to remember, but unfortunately, we didn’t get the win.”

Toronto lost an appeal of a high stick on the game-winning goal.

“It’s not my job to decide (if it’s a good goal or not),” Woll said. “I trust the referees to make the right decision. Obviously, I wished it wasn’t a goal.”

Keefe senses Woll is more confident in this stint with the Leafs. He won three of four games last season, posting a 2.76 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage.

“He’s played in the NHL and done well, and he’s been outstanding, virtually perfect, in the AHL. He’s a guy who’s dealt with a lot in his pro career in terms of injuries and adversity. He’s found his way through that and we’re excited to get him in (the lineup).”

Trade talk

Social media and the rumour mills spun at feverish levels during the game when it was reported the Arizona Coyotes made defenceman Jakob Chychrun a healthy scratch “due to trade-related reasons.”

Toronto has been linked to Chychrun, even with organizational depth at the defence position. The Leafs have a solid starting six in the NHL and at least three Marlies who can help.

Several tweets suggested a Chychrun deal could happen over the next two days. Rumoured destinations, outside of Toronto, include Boston, Edmonton and Los Angeles.

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