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The final frontier for the 2016-17 Maple Leafs to tame might well be their own backyard.

Starting a string of four in a row at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, the Leafs will be trying to avoid a seventh loss at home in their past eight games, another reminder that Toronto has plenty of work ahead despite being in playoff contention at the schedule’s halfway mark.

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Head coach Mike Babcock hammered on that theme after Monday’s practice, humorously asking fans and some reporters to take a pill with 41 games to go.

Lack of momentum at home is an old story for the Leafs in more than a decade since making the playoffs in an 82-game NHL schedule. But this season’s recent troubles — after a decent start — have a unique twist. With a lineup almost half comprised of exciting young rookies, the Leafs can — at times — be too good at crowd pleasing and not sharp enough closing out games.

They’ve looked a lot better in the latter department while earning points in 10 straight road contests, so it’s now time to bring that back against the Sabres, to be followed by the New York Rangers, Ottawa Senators and Calgary Flames.