The Toronto Maple Leafs fell 3-2 in overtime Thursday night to the Columbus Blue Jackets, as the team continues to deal with injuries to a number of key players.

In their place, rookie Easton Cowan has been given an opportunity to see more ice time and show off what he can do, after being called up from the Toronto Marlies last week. Speaking after the game, the Strathroy native gave his thoughts on the team’s performance in the close-fought contest.

“I thought we had good moments we showed,” he said. “When we’re playing good, we’re connected. We play together as a team and we’re hard on the forecheck, s0 we just gotta keep doing that.”

Despite the loss, Cowan had a solid game. The rookie forward played over 20 minutes for the first time in his NHL career and earned a nice assist on John Tavares’ game-tying goal in the third period.

Earning lots of time on ice and looks alongside Tavares and William Nylander, including in overtime, it’s clear Craig Berube has faith in the young player’s game right now. But Cowan is no longer just satisfied with just getting those opportunities, and he took accountability on Thursday for not making the most of them.

“Yeah, it’s good I’m getting out there, but I gotta capitalize,” he said. “I’m getting chances, I just got to bury them. I gotta bury one of them since I’m out there a lot, I take responsibility.”

Through 13 games played, Cowan now has one goal and four assists, surely an adjustment for a player used to tearing up the scoresheet in juniors. Asked if he’s feeling frustrated not finding the back of the net, the 20-year-old wasn’t so keen on that wording, but it’s clear he’s taking Thursday’s loss to heart.

“I wouldn’t say frustrated, no,” he said. “But if I buried one of them, we could have won the game, so that’s the unfortunate part.”

The Maple Leafs have now dropped six of their last seven games, with Cowan on the roster for two of those losses. While he’s new to the NHL, he’s no stranger to weathering the storm of a tough stretch, and he shared the attitude he’s working on carrying as the team looks to get back in the win column consistently.

“I think just staying positive,” Cowan said. “Obviously it’s tough. Like I said, you bury one of them and you could have won the game. But you gotta try your best to stay positive. It’s a tight league, so you gotta keep going.”

Toronto will keep it going Saturday night, taking on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.