TORONTO — For a last place club whose roster composition leans more towards the AHL than NHL, the Maple Leafs have somehow remained competitive on a game-by-game basis.

Despite being losers of three straight games, including a 3-2 loss on Wednesday to the Washington Capitals in D.C., coach Mike Babcock believes Toronto needs only some fine-tuning to stay competitive in this woeful season.

“We’ve been close, but we don’t win. You play in the league to win. That’s why you get ready, that’s why you prepare, and that’s why you compete hard,” Babcock said during his Thursday morning media availability prior to a 7:30 p.m. puck drop against the Minnesota Wild.

“We’ve got to be a little bit better in the faceoff circle, little bit better on the (penalty) kill, a little bit better on the power play, and find a way to win a game.”

Perhaps a “little bit” of grease in the form of Brendan Leipsic, called up from the AHL Marlies, will push the Leafs over the top and to victory versus the Wild, winners of two straight.

“He’s a greasy little guy, likes to have the puck, make plays,” Babcock said of Leipsic, tapped to replace an injured Brad Boyes. “Can’t turn it over. So, as long as he doesn’t turn it over, I really like him.”

Leipsic, a 21-year-old winger acquired last February in a trade that sent defenceman Cody Franson to the Nashville Predators, doesn’t mind Babcock’s “greasy little guy” label.

“I think that’s the way I have to play if I want to be successful at this level,” said Leipsic, who has a goal and an assist in four career NHL games. “Playing hard every shift every night, not taking a shift off, is kind of the way I need to play.”

Boyes, out with an upper-body injury, joins Byron Froese (broken hand) and P.A. Parenteau (upper-body) on the Leafs’ short-term ailment list. Joffrey Lupul, Tyler Bozak, Stephane Robidas, James van Riemsdyk and Milan Michalek are all on injured reserve.

Garrett Sparks, who backed-up Jonathan Bernier in Washington, will start in goal for the Leafs Thursday night. The Wild are expected to counter with netminder Devan Dubnyk.

Toronto has won just twice in their last 10 contests, while Minnesota have been the victor in six of their last 10.

Thursday’s game is the first of four home games in a row for the Leafs. The Senators (Saturday), Sabres (Monday) and Islanders (Wednesday) are on deck.

Email: jmatisz@postmedia.com

Twitter: @MatiszJohn