While many fans are placing the blame squarely on backup goaltender Michael Hutchinson after Toronto's first loss since Sheldon Keefe took over head coaching duties, Keefe says it's not entirely his fault.
"A lot of focus on Hutch," said Keefe following the 6-4 loss to Buffalo. "But there's a lot more going on in the game than just that. He played an excellent first period, allowed us to get a 1-0 lead and build on that lead and then I just didn't think we took care of it very well."
Hutchinson dropped to 0-5-1 on the season, while Toronto continued its streak of losing when anyone other than Frederick Andersen is between the pipes. Hutchinson said he's never been through a stretch like this in his career.
"You think in 10 years you've gone through everything, and then hockey throws something new at you."
Auston Matthews, who was given 25 minutes if ice-time last night and was minus-3 and failed to get on the scoresheet, agreed with Keefe's assessment of the situation.
"We haven't been all too good for him all year," Matthews said. "You have to feel for a guy like that who comes in and gives it his all every game and we just got to be better for him."
Toronto will get a chance to avenge the loss to Buffalo tonight as they face the Sabres again, this time in Toronto. As for the backup goaltending struggles, given the team's salary cap situation there aren't a lot of options other than to use Hutchinson or Kasimir Kaskisuo, who is currently playing in the AHL. Kaskisuo has played one game this season, his first ever in the NHL, which resulted in a 6-1 loss to Pittsburgh shortly before former head coach Mike Babcock was shown the door. The only possibility would likely be trading a roster player for a netminder, as it's not likely Hutchinson will land much on the trade marker at the moment.
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