Easton Cowan injected some youth and enthusiasm elixer into the Maple Leafs on Monday, quite timely for a team whose veterans have been trying to work rust off.

With a record of 1-2 in games that have pivoted between slow starts and strong finishes, a last-minute 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings in a home and home sweep has coach Craig Berube wondering how long it will take his club to find its way.

Our takeaways on the tumble at Scotiabank Arena:

There was everything but a win for Cowan to celebrate in his NHL baptism , a day that began with a solo rookie skate in warm-up and many of his former London Knights teammates and friends from the Mount Brydges farm community catching his eye in the stands. A few wore his old Knights’ sweater backwards with the surname in front.

A shot bl

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