Instant Reaction: Maple Leafs have nothing in the tank in 6-1 loss to Mammoth

"One night, you play one of your best games of the season against the league's premier team and snap their 17-game home winning streak. The next night, you're walked all over by a far lesser team. The Toronto Maple Leafs simply had nothing going for them in a 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth on Tuesday night. It was probably one of their worst games of the season, but it wasn't one that deserves a ton of flak for poor play."

"Much was made about the high altitude and the affect that can have when you combine it with travel and a quick turnover, and it was on display on Tuesday night. The Leafs simply looked like a team that played a grind fest of a game the night before, meanwhile the Mammoth were well rested and playing on home ice."

"Dylan Guenther scored two goals for the Mammoth, while Michael Carcone and J.J. Peterka added their own to contribute to the win. Dennis Hildeby struggled mightily in this one, allowing six goals on 40 shots, and while it would have been asking a lot of Hildeby to come out and stand on his head for his team, there were a couple of goals you could imagine he would want back."

"The game slipped away from them in the second period, with three goals against in the middle frame, and they simply never recovered from it. Calle Jarnkrok scored in the third period to get the Leafs on the board, and they appeared to briefly find their legs, but it was too little too late. Daniil But scored a final dagger with under five minutes to play to secure the win for Utah."

Toronto lost 6-1 to the Utah Mammoth following a quick turnaround after a strong win the previous night, with travel and high altitude impacting performance. The Mammoth were rested and took advantage of home ice. Dylan Guenther scored twice, Michael Carcone and J.J. Peterka added goals, and Daniil But sealed the win late. Dennis Hildeby allowed six goals on 40 shots and struggled at times. The Leafs surrendered three second-period goals and never recovered, despite Calle Jarnkrok's third-period goal. The team must retain recent post-Christmas habits to protect points in a tight playoff race.

Read at TheLeafsNation