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Depending on ones level of optimism, the Toronto Maple Leafs are either running out of time or are completely out of it in their search for a playoff berth. The Leafs have lost eight straight games and have tumbled all the way from second in the Atlantic Division to two spots back of the final Eastern Conference wild card position. Reminiscent of the teams struggles in February of 2012 that saw them drop 10 of 11 games and fall from fourth in the Eastern Conference all the way to 10th, it appears that the proverbial 18-wheeler is going off the cliff once again, to borrow former Leafs general manager Brian Burkes immortal turn-of-phrase. The 2011-12 failure would cost head coach Ron Wilson his job, with Randy Carlyle taking over before the Leafs March schedule even began. Burke, too, would become a casualty in the seasons aftermath. He would be replaced by his colleague - Dave Nonis – prior to the lockout-delayed start to the 2012-13 season. The Leafs are still mathematically in the thick of the wild card hunt – two points back of the Columbus Blue Jackets entering Monday night. But with games-in-hand to be factored, the hill could become steeper still. Regardless of whether the team makes the playoffs or not, they have certainly done themselves no favours with the slide. With the skid, the Leafs have lost the possibility of home-ice advantage against the likes of the Montreal Canadiens or Tampa Bay Lightning and have painted themselves into a black-and-gold corner that would likely see them draw the Boston Bruins (again) in the first round - that is, if they even make the playoffs. So who takes the blame this time around? Traditionally, the coach is the first to shoulder the load. So does Carlyle wear the horns? He has been a polarizing figure if former players like Mikhail Grabovski are to be believed and as the old adage goes, "you cant fire the team." Dion Phaneuf has drawn his share of criticism over the streak as well, making notable on-ice gaffes against both the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues and taking additional heat after refusing to speak to the media after the streak hit seven. He has posted a minus-8 rating in the Leafs past three games. Nonis, too, could shoulder some of the blame for failing to add to a team that many had predicted was overachieving earlier in the season. Not only did Nonis not make a trade leading up to the Mar. 5 trade deadline, the Leafs war room was shown deserted in the minutes leading up to 3pm et that day. A lack of deadline activity is nothing new to Toronto as the team has avoided big name additions in each of the last three seasons, but should Nonis have pressed harder to improve his club? Or does the blame fall to the teams long-term core? The Leafs have five forwards - Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul, David Clarkson, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak – locked up over the next four seasons beyond 2013-14 at a combined cost of just under $27 million. While Lupuls productivity has actually trended upwards during the slump (three goals in his last five games and six points over the eight games), the big line of Kessel, van Riemsdyk and Bozak has not been up to the lofty standards it set earlier this season. Kessel has scored just twice in eight games and the entire line has combined for just 12 points with only one player (Bozak) having managed a multi-point game over the stretch, and that only once. As for Clarkson, his career lows in goals and assists this season speak for themselves. The blame game could go on and on. The team has given up three goals or more eight straight games. That statistic could be pinned on the defence corps, overall team defence, or a four-game stretch without Jonathan Bernier. So who takes the blame for the Leafs late-season struggles? As always, its Your! Call. Cheick Diallo Jersey .C. -- The Carolina Hurricanes have activated defenceman Joni Pitkanen from injured reserve. Isaiah Canaan Jersey .com) - The 12th-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes continue a four-game homestand at Value City Arena on Wednesday night when they face off against the High Point Panthers in a non-conference matchup. https://www.thesunslockerroom.com/Leandro-Barbosa-City-Edition-Jersey/ . -- The Val-dOr Foreurs made it to the Memorial Cup semifinal thanks to their workhorse goaltender and their ability to hang around like a bad cold. Kevin Johnson Jersey . Its the games against the leagues struggling franchises that have proved to be an issue. Dario Saric Jersey . The 33-year-old Spaniard, who held the lead since the second round, turned in a solid final round that featured six birdies and two bogeys to finish on 22-under 266. The victory is Garcias first this year with his last win coming at the Johor Open, an Asian Tour event in Malaysia last December.BEREA, Ohio - One game. One hard-to-forget, miserable game Browns rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel would change if he could.But as magical as he may have been on the field in college, Manziel cant re-write history. His dreadful NFL starting debut against Cincinnati behind him, Manziel is determined to make the most of his second chance on Sunday at Carolina.Nobody wants that, but at the same time, one game doesnt define you, Manziel said Wednesday. Really what defines you is how you bounce back from that and what you do the following weeks.Manziel has two more weeks in the season to convince the Browns (7-7) they didnt make a mistake when they moved up to select him in the first round of Mays draft. The 22-year-old is viewed as Clevelands future, perhaps the long-sought solution to a quarterback conundrum that has lasted more than a decade.Even some of Manziels biggest supporters were alarmed by a performance in which he seemed to be in over his helmet.Theres only one way for Manziel to remove the doubt.Play better, plain and simple, Manziel said. This position here is about results and getting the job done and you have to do that to be on the field in this league.Manziel said the bad first start is something hell remember forever.Unfortunately it leaves a sour taste in my mouth, but at the same time Ive had bad games in college and had bad games in the past, he said. Its part of football.Manziel threw a pair of interceptions and generally looked lost in the 30-0 defeat to the Bengals. Little went as planned in Clevelands biggest game this season.Manziel said he got himself in trouble by second-guessing himself.Im still continuing to work on that and have trust in the system and have trust in what my eyes are seeing, he said. Im seeing it right, now it just coomes down to executing.ddddddddddddA frequent theme this year, quarterbacks continue to be a daily discussion as the Browns cling to all-but-extinguished playoff hopes. On Monday, former Browns QB Bernie Kosar, a living legend to Cleveland fans, condemned the clubs front office for not showing patience at the position and said theres a losing culture at the top of the organization.Coach Mike Pettine, who had the Browns at 6-3 before their recent slide, said Kosar is off base and his comments were a little dramatic.He was one of my favourite guys growing up — heck of a quarterback — and hes entitled to his opinion, Pettine said. But being here on the inside of it and seeing what were building and the interaction we have ... the commitment is all there for us to be successful.Hes certainly not the first Cleveland coach to think that, even though the Browns last went to the playoffs in 2002 and are on their 21st quarterback in the expansion era.Youve got to build the right way and make sure its rock solid, he said. Were in the middle of that. I get people are going to have their opinions, but a lot more of that happens when youve lost three in a row. I didnt hear a lot of that when we had just gotten our seventh win. NOTES: Pettine finally addressed the release of K Billy Cundiff, waived last week after he hurt his right knee practicing at FirstEnergy Stadium and his knee stiffened the next day. Theres nothing below the surface with Billy, Pettine said. ... The Browns are expecting Panthers QB Cam Newtown to play Sunday. He practiced Wednesday for the first time since sustaining two back fractures in an auto accident. ... Browns CB Joe Haden remains day-to-day with a shoulder injury.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '