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Former Panthers Coach Peter Horachek Now Leading Maple Leafs

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TORONTO (CBSMiami/AP) — The Toronto Maple Leafs may currently be holding a playoff spot but the team is trying to avoid another late-season collapse.

Peter Horachek will serve as interim coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs, replacing fired coach Randy Carlyle.

Horachek and assistant coach Steve Spott will lead the team Wednesday night against the Washington Capitals.

General manager Dave Nonis pointed to inconsistency as the biggest reason for Carlyle's firing on Tuesday. Toronto is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference (21-16-3), with the Maple Leafs coming off a seven-game road trip and just two wins.

Last season, Horachek was the interim coach for the Florida Panthers. He was an assistant coach in Nashville for nine seasons.

The Maple Leafs also announced forward Carter Ashton has been assigned to their AHL affiliate. The 23-year-old didn't have a point in seven games with the Maple Leafs this season.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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