BUFFALO – In about half as many games, the Toronto penalty kill has already allowed more power-play goals this season than it did all of last year. A once dominant unit that finished second best in the league in 2013 (87.9%) has fallen to 20th overall (79.4%) after two months this winter. The groups increasing woes were highlighted on Wednesday night by a season-high three-goal outburst from the Penguins power play in an eventual 6-5 shootout loss. "We havent changed anything," Jay McClement told the Leaf Report on Thursday afternoon. "Were just not getting the job done. I dont know what it is, but weve gotten away from the basic things that made us successful. You can say that weve had a couple bad bounces here and there, but were getting too many [scored] on us the last little while to say that." Over the past 11 games – a stretch that began at the outset of November – the Leafs have allowed 13 power play goals, hovering at just 71 per cent in that span. Already this season, theyve given up 20 power play goals or one more than all of last season. The sure-fire attitude once owned by the group has gradually taken a hit. "Thats a confidence were going to have to build back up over a big stretch of games here," said McClement, who leads the NHL in average ice-time shorthanded. "It seems like we have a couple good kills and we start to get it, start to build on it and then we give one up. [Its] something we just have to stick with and try not to lose all our confidence and get frustrated with it." A confident bunch last season, the Leafs rarely allowed sustained opportunity for opposing power plays, typically clearing the puck and changing personnel with seamless precision. The job hasnt gone quite so smoothly so far this season, be it because of positional mistakes, failed clears, easy entries, or simple confusion. Increasingly, the unit has relied far too heavily upon its two goaltenders. Consider that in 48 games last season, the Toronto penalty kill allowed 193 shots against; already this season, in just 25 games, the same unit has given up 182 shots. Under increased strain, the goaltending has been good, but not quite as good as a year ago. James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier have combined to post a .890 save percentage shorthanded this season, slightly worse than the .902 mark set by Reimer and Ben Scrivens last season. "I think theres some trends that have come in," said Randy Carlyle of the penalty kill. "I think weve vacated the critical areas. I think weve won faceoffs and not cleared the puck. I think weve given up the middle of the ice too many times, gotten on the wrong side of the puck. "Those are things that were going to continue to try to fix because it has been a staple of our game. When those staples go away it reveals that youre not playing anywhere near where youre capable of playing." Not helping matters either is the discipline of the group. The Leafs have taken more minor penalties (113) than any team but the Ottawa Senators this season; up to 4.52 minors per game from 3.69 last season. A string of five straight such penalties helped propel the Penguins to come back from a 4-1 second period deficit on Wednesday night. "When youve got a good PK," said Carl Gunnarsson, third on the team in shorthanded minutes, "you feel good going out there and you know youre going to kill it probably 80, 90 per cent of the time." Just as the strut of the penalty kill has gradually diminished from the stronghold of last season, so too have a few key parts. Most prominently absent this year is Leo Komarov, an energetic and effective component in 2013 who returned to the KHL this season. Two additional pieces who made significant contributions, Mark Fraser and Nik Kulemin, missed nearly a month with injuries. "I think right now when you go through a spell like were going through, its tough to have that attitude," McClement said. "Its just really up and down right now. I guess more downs than ups right now. I think the biggest thing is we cant lose our confidence in it. We know what were doing works, weve just got to do it better." Adidas Nmd Deutschland . The thinking at the time was Clowney could have already been promised he would be selected first overall by the Houston Texans, therefore negating any need to meet with any other teams. The plot took another twist this week. Adidas Lite Racer Schuh Damen . And, just for good measure, lets say the lottery team finishes the game short-handed because two starters come down with the very same injury. http://www.nmdschuhesale.de/ultra-boost-...eutschland.html. -- Sonny Grays fastball wasnt as sharp as it usually is, and the Oakland Athletics young pitcher even had a quirky replay go against him. Nmd Schuhe Deutschland . Tottenham claimed top spot in Group K by winning 2-0 at Tromso after defender Adnan Causevic scored an own goal before Mousa Dembele put the result beyond doubt. Valencia made sure it will finish first in Group A with a 1-0 win at Swansea thanks to an early goal from Dani Parejo. Adidas Nmd r2 Deutschland . -- The Chicago Bears have agreed to a one-year contract with cornerback Kelvin Hayden.Lewis Hamilton says he is prepared to tackle whatever the Brazilian GP has in store on Sunday as he eyes a victory to take the title fight down to the wire in Abu Dhabi. The Interlagos pole-sitter also expects a fair fight with Nico Rosberg with his Mercedes team-mate knowing victory for himself will see him crowned as world champion for the first time.Warm and dry weather from Friday has given way to cooler and damp conditions for the weekend with the threat of rain showers lurking over the race, which is live only on Sky Sports F1 and SS1 from 4pm. Hamilton calls on Red Bulls to attackAnd Hamilton, who has never won in nine attempts in Brazil, admits a wet Sunday could play more to his advantage on this occasion.I dont really mind, he said. You often want a wet race when youre further behind to give you an opportunity to get further ahead. Lewis Hamilton will start the Brazilian GP on pole - the 60th of his career - in a must-win race to keep his Drivers Championship hopes alive But I guess in this scenario Im on pole but Im actually behind in points, so it wouldnt be so bad if it did rain.Honestly, I feel prepared for either scenario - and I love either scenario. I love driving in the wet, of course it makes it more of a lottery, so I feel like we are prepared and ready for whatever comes [in the race].Victories in Brazil and Abu Dhabi would still not be enough for Hamilton to overturn Rosbergs 19-point advantage if the German also finishes on the podium in the final two rounds.Conclusions from Brazilian GP QualifyingBarring a retirement from his team-mate, Hamilton therefore realistically needs the Red Bulls and Ferraris, who start behind Mercedes on the grid in Brazil, to challenge Rosberg for position - not that the world champion believes there is anything he can directly do on track to try and influence that.ddddddddddddIm sure you could maybe try to be smart, but youll just screw yourself over, so its not something Id ever do anyway, he said. I want to win because Im the best, not through tactics or anything like that. Paul di Resta reviews how Hamilton managed to pip Nico Rosberg to pole position for the Brazilian GP Obviously Im in this awkward position due to a lot of issues weve had this year and theres nothing I can do about that. Im quite happy with my qualifying, Ive had 11 poles, and I didnt even do qualifying in three of them [races] which were ones Nico got.So Im happy with how the season has gone so far and Ive got to keep pushing.Knowing a race win will see him crowned champion, Sundays Interlagos race is arguably the most significant of Rosbergs 10-year F1 career. Although F1s ultimate prize is now so close for his team-mate, Hamilton insisted: I dont go into the race expecting anything less than a fair fight.Of course, you can look at history and what some drivers have done in the past but I would like to think higher of him and that would not be something he would do.But I just need to make sure Im ahead.Dont miss the Brazilian GP on Sunday evening. The race is live at 4pm on Sky Sports F1; Watch with a NOW TV day pass - £6.99, no contract Also See: When does Sundays race start? Conclusions from the Brazilian GP Hamiltons Interlagos jinx Watch the Brazilian GP on NOW TV ' ' '