Andersen: Leafs need to examine attitude, effort

Frederik Andersen didn't mince words after the Toronto Maple Leafs blew yet another lead Thursday.

For the third time in the past four games, the Leafs were up in the third period but couldn't hold on, this time losing in overtime to the Philadelphia Flyers.

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The setbacks are clearly wearing on the goaltender.

"We've got to regroup, we've got to figure out who wants to commit to playing as a team," Andersen said postgame. "I think we have a few days now until our next game - one day between - but we've got to look at the attitude. We played well enough for two periods, but we've got to find a way to keep the foot on the gas the whole game. We can't be satisfied with two periods."

The game-tying goal came off a shorthanded odd-man rush early in the third period, another bothersome event for Andersen.

"I think it's a lack of effort at certain points and we've got to figure this out if we want to play any meaningful hockey later. We've got to figure it out."

Despite the recent trend, Toronto sits comfortably in third place in the Atlantic Division - 12 points up on Detroit in the "race" for that playoff spot. But as far as Andersen is concerned, there's no coasting through any part of the regular season.

"We're sitting pretty good, I think we've got it pretty comfortable, but that can't be any reason for not playing the right way. We've got to be ready when it comes to past the (All-Star) break here. It's going to be a lot tougher with teams trying to catch us. We can't slide like this."

Toronto's next game is Saturday in Ottawa.

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