Leafs avoid another January swoon

Paul Maurice gave his players the day off Thursday, and it was a much-deserved break.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have won three in a row and six of their last eight, and the head coach couldn't ask for more than that.

They were able, even with all their injuries, to avoid a January swoon similar to the one they went into last year when eight consecutive defeats cost them a shot at making the playoffs.

But that was Pat Quinn's team, not Maurice's team.

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