Both just traded, longtime Boston teammates Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo sat by each other on the plane ride to Colorado.

Defensively, the Leafs have improved but remain vulnerable at times. Morgan Rielly leads the blue line, but depth remains a concern, especially against high-powered offenses like Colorado’s. In goal, Ilya Samsonov and Joseph Woll have provided a solid tandem, though consistency has been an issue.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have had stable goaltending this season. But for the first time this season, Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube had to pull one of his netminders due to performance.

If Monday’s third period was “inexcusable” in the words of coach BruceCassidy, Thursday almost reached a new level.