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TORONTO — When Leafs head coach Mike Babcock declared an even playing field during training camp, Leo Komarov may have been at a disadvantage.

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Admitting some players rise to the occasion and don’t show their best form during the pre-season, Babcock had no frame of reference for what Komarov could accomplish. An underwhelming camp (four games and no points) saw Komarov start the season as a fourth-line winger.

“I had the same problem in the pre-season last year, I couldn’t score and then it just turned,” Komarov said.

But after the Leafs fell behind 3-0 to Detroit on Friday, Babcock moved Komarov up to the team’s top line alongside top-line regulars James van Reimsdyk and Tyler Bozak to try to change the team’s fortunes. The chemistry has been evident as the trio has managed to control the puck with each shift since coming together.