Little breakdowns here and there have stung, like Scott Laughton’s inability to get a puck out shortly before Sam Bennett gave the Panthers a two-goal lead last week, or Auston Matthews and Jake McCabe’s failure to win puck battles along the wall before Tanev was beat for inside positioning before the Sens scored over the weekend.

Head coach Craig Berube has sent his team a clear and forceful message. And the moment must happen none too soon. Now is the time for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

At times this season, the Toronto Maple Leafs have been a very good hockey team. You don’t either occupy the top spot in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division or sit close to the top of the Atlantic if you’re not playing well for long stretches.

TORONTO -- The Ottawa Senators matched a season high with their sixth straight win, defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 at Scotiabank Arena on Saturday. The Senators also won six in a row from December 11-21.

Claude Giroux broke a second-period tie on a power play and the Ottawa Senators beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Saturday night for their sixth straight victory.

Claude Giroux scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and the visiting Ottawa Senators defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 on Saturday night.