TORONTO – Without much choice otherwise at the moment, Ron Wilson has implored his team to better support its struggling pair of netminders. James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson are both squarely under the microscope as the Leafs cling to a playoff position. Six losses in seven games with increasingly ineffective play between the pipes has the tide rising with a tough matchup against the Sharks on deck, the second of a four-game homestand. "Its not an easy spot to play," Cody Franson said. "They can be the highlight reel or the blooper reel in any two seconds in the game." Unfortunately for Gustavsson, such a blooper emerged on Tuesday evening, Mark Faynes point shot skipping past the 27-year-old in overtime as the Leafs fell to the Devils 4-3 at the Air Canada Centre. The goal capped a rather uninspiring performance from the third-year netminder, one of many in recent weeks from the Leafs goaltending duo. In spite of the struggles, the club still remains eighth in the Eastern Conference, hoping to better aid the pair who could very well hold the keys to any postseason aspirations. "I think the biggest thing is just be positive in the room and support them vocally," Franson said. "I think that when us as players are going through something, it doesnt help to have negativity around you. It doesnt help to have people questioning some of your last plays or constantly on you for a mistake or something like that. So I think as long as were supportive towards them, trying to help them out as much as possible, try and have a little bit of fun; couple laughs here and there is huge. "Its one of those things where when youre going through tough spots, its not always the easiest to just think about other things. If you can help them just get away from it for a bit and then focus in on game-day, it can be a good thing for them." Easing the emotional glare of the microscope could serve to alleviate the increasing pressure, but its clear that support on the ice lies atop the list of priorities. Skating with more vigour and speed against the Devils, the Leafs played a better overall game than at any point in recent weeks, tightening up in spurts defensively while turning fewer pucks over. Ultimately, its a stingier effort in the defensive zone that will lighten the burden in goal. Paying greater attention to such detail in January, the Leafs allowed just 25 goals in 12 games with Gustavsson thriving with three shutouts along the way; a mind-set theyll strive to re-adapt in the closing stages of February. "I think for the players, its all about playing defence first," Mike Brown said. "Weve stressed that before where at times were looking at too much offence and were not really back-checking with a purpose, coming back and helping out, coming back to home-plate, really getting in a structure. When goalies are struggling, you just have to play that defence-first mentality and help them out." In conversation with TSN 1050 on Wednesday evening, Brian Burke indicated a willingness to at least explore the trade market for goaltenders, a revelation which suggests real concern with whats in place at the moment. For the time being, the best the Leafs can do is support the pair they have. The rest is up to the goaltenders. Cheap Chicago Bulls Jerseys . The 5-foot-9 McCain announced the deal on Twitter late Tuesday and thanked his agent, David Canter. McCain was a sixth-round draft pick by the Texans in 2009. Cheap Manchester City Jerseys .K and Malcolm Subban, as this will mark the first official time the two brothers will play against each other. http://www.wholesalemlbcheapjerseys.com/ . -- Baltimore Orioles left fielder Nolan Reimould was taken to a hospital after he was hit in the left side of the head by a fastball from Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Alex Cobb in the first inning of a 3-3, 10-inning tie on Friday. cheap nfl jerseys . -- Leave it to Bo Ryan to find fault with No. Cheap Minnesota Wild Jerseys . Instead, Iguodala was slotted into the Dwight Howard blockbuster, with Denver winning his rights in exchange for Arron Afflalo, Al Harrington and a first round pick (the lesser of two picks, Denvers own or New Yorks, in 2014).DENVER -- LaTroy Hawkins is returning to the Colorado Rockies and the veteran reliever may just possibly wind up as their closer. Hawkins agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million deal on Tuesday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal has yet to be announced and is still pending a physical. The right-hander played an integral role in the bullpen for Colorado in 2007, when the Rockies made their only run to the World Series before being swept by the Boston Red Sox. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will be in contention for the closer role with left-hander Rex Brothers, who stepped in last season after Rafael Betancourt got hurt and finished with 19 saves. The Rockies also like the hard-throwing Brothers as a set-up man in the eighth inning. Hawkins spent last season with the New York Mets, going 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA and 13 saves in 70 2-3 innings. The Mets tried to keep him and made an offer. "Were happy for him. He did a great job for us last year," Mets GM Sandy Alderson said. "Was a terrific part of the team, in the clubhhouse, as well as his role on the field.dddddddddddd We wish him well. "Hes 41 years old. We werent necessarily counting on him to fill the same role for us next year. We certainly would have liked to have him in the pen, but going into the spring, I think that, again, given kind of the vagaries of relief pitching anyway and his age and what we had coming, it wasnt clear what his role would be." USA Today first reported the agreement. On his Twitter account Tuesday, Hawkins posted a thank you to the Mets organization and fans. He closed his tweet with, "Now off to BowHunting." Earlier this month, the Rockies took a big step toward keeping their bullpen intact as right-handed reliever Matt Belisle and the team exercised their mutual option for 2014. The bullpen had a 4.23 ERA in 2012. Colorado also exercised the club option on left-handed pitcher Jorge De La Rosa, who was solid on the mound last season as he finished 16-6 with a 3.49 ERA. De La Rosa is scheduled to make $11 million next year. 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