Nicolas Roy says mental mistakes held Maple Leafs back vs. Red Wings

Nicolas Roy feels the Toronto Maple Leafs beat themselves on Saturday night in Detroit.

The Leafs were up 2-0 to end the first period, thanks in large part to their depth, including Roy, who scored his first as a Leaf, and then the wheels fell off. Costly turnovers, bad defensive reads, and breakdowns in their own zone, it’s still early in the season, but it’s obvious there’s a lot to clean up for the Maple Leafs after dropping game two 6-3.

“I mean, it’s early season, I think the assessment for the defensive zone is mental mistakes there. Leaving guys wide open back door, can’t happen,” stated Roy to reporters postgame.

“I take big responsibility in that as well. We have to do a better job. I think we did in the first period, for a good part in the third period, there. But it got away from us in the second.”

The Maple Leafs gave up three unanswered in the second period, which was easily their worst stretch of hockey we’ve seen to this point in the young season. The ice was tilted, and the Red Wings took advantage, which eventually carried over to the third, and allowed for the Red Wings to finish the job, and take two points from Toronto.

It wasn’t all bad for the Maple Leafs, as goaltender Anthony Stolarz kept his team in the game. Stolarz stopped 29 saves in defeat, in a game that could have been much uglier if he didn’t stand tall, especially in the middle frame. Roy feels that shouldn’t go unnoticed and praised Stolarz’s performance after the game.

“I mean, he kept us in the game. In that second period, if he’s not there, we’re not in the game anymore. He played unreal, and I wish we could battle back and get one more in the third period there, but that’s just how it goes sometimes. But, really good game from him.”

Roy has been one of the Maple Leafs most complete players through two games this season, and has shown early in the year that he can bring a lot to the table for Craig Berube’s hockey club. Roy potted his first as a Leaf on Saturday night, but he’s well aware he needs to be a jack of all trades for his new team.

“It felt good, obviously try to contribute as much as I can in different situations, whether it’s faceoffs, or playing PK, whatever it is. So, it’s nice to contribute offensively as well.”

Both teams will enjoy Thanksgiving Sunday off the ice, and are back at it for an afternoon showdown on Monday. Let’s hope the Maple Leafs can keep the pedal to the floor for a full 60 minutes, and more importantly, limit the mental breakdowns.