TORONTO - The Maple Leafs limped out of the Bell Centre last month.

Toronto had just fallen 5-2 to the Montreal Canadiens, owned the NHL's worst goals-against average, and were a complete mess defensively.

Despite falling 3-2 in overtime to the San Jose Sharks on Thursday night, the club has made inroads cleaning up its own end thanks to systematic tweaks and a renewed commitment to play harder without the puck — especially in the middle of the ice.

Head coach Craig Berube, however, still sees plenty of room for improvement.

"Third period … we didn't come out and dictate how to play the game," he said after watching the club blow a 2-0 lead and having to settle for a single point. "Turned pucks over, passive, we didn't finish them off."

The Maple Leafs had allowed an average of 3.73 g

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