TORONTO (AP) – Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin called a players-only meeting after a five-game winless skid last month.

Whatever was said, it worked: Toronto has won 11 of 12 games since. Suddenly, the team is tied with the Philadelphia Flyers for the most points in the NHL.

Not even injuries to Alexander Mogilny, Owen Nolan, Gary Roberts, Joe Nieuwendyk and Nik Antropov slowed the Maple Leafs, who set a franchise record Tuesday night by recording a point in 12 straight games (11-0-0-1).

The recent success can be traced back to Nov. 20, when players gathered while still wearing their equipment after a loss to the Edmonton Oilers.

“We had a lot of guys speak up that night. Mats started it, and a lot of guys chipped in with their two cents’ worth,” Roberts said. “Since that day, for whatever reason, whether it was the meeting or not, we’ve found a way to come together and win a lot of hockey games together.

“Obviously, guys listened, because we have been more committed.”

The Leafs responded with an eight-game winning streak, including against a trio of the NHL’s best teams: Vancouver (twice), Ottawa and Detroit.

The St. Louis Blues ended that streak Dec. 9, but not before Nieuwendyk sent their game into overtime with a short-handed goal with just 17 seconds left in regulation.

Three Leafs victories followed, pushing their record to 18-6-5-3 heading into Friday’s game at Washington. It’s an impressive turnaround for a team that was 7-6-5-2. Roberts wouldn’t reveal exactly what was said in the meeting, but Sundin felt he needed to bring everyone together after a series of mistakes on the ice.

“We are keeping it simple now. We’re not giving away points like we did earlier in the year,” Sundin said. “We gave up a lot of turnovers. More than just the meeting, we’ve had an attitude change.”

The franchise – which last won the Stanley Cup in 1967 – was in need of some changes after losing to Philadelphia in the first round of last season’s playoffs. Players and fans complained when the Maple Leafs didn’t sign a marquee free agent during the offseason. John Ferguson Jr., who replaced coach Pat Quinn as general manager just before training camp, eventually added solid veterans in Nieuwendyk and defenseman Ken Klee in a bid to improve team chemistry.

Forward Tie Domi says players are willing to sacrifice more than last season, when too many worried about personal stats and ice time.

“We have never had a better dressing room since I’ve been here, and the mood is the best that I’ve ever seen,” said Domi, in his 10th season with Toronto. “Nolan has been playing exceptionally well, and it is a veteran bunch that is having fun.”

Nolan, a former captain for San Jose, went six games before scoring his first goal of the season, but he has 11 points in his last 10 games. Sundin didn’t have a goal in his first eight games, but he has seven in the last 12 games and is among the league leaders with 32 points.

Toronto’s much-maligned defense also improved.

“Everybody has chipped in,” Roberts said. “Our defensemen deserve a lot of credit. They’ve really stepped in and done a real solid job. We don’t commit as many turnovers. Our forwards are doing a great job of supporting the D.”

The mistake-free hockey has helped make up for the loss of Mogilny, expected to miss two more months after hip surgery in November.

Nolan, Nieuwendyk, Roberts and Antropov each missed at least two games during the current surge, and defenseman Tomas Kaberle is expected to miss this weekend with a shoulder injury.

Something that’s helped overcome injuries: Goalie Ed Belfour has three shutouts in his last six games.

“Our goalie has been awesome. He keeps us in every game,” Roberts said. “It’s nice that we’re getting results for him.”

And each victory is followed by a celebration the players recently created: They gather in a circle for a group hug.

“I’ve never experienced that in my career,” Domi said. “It was spontaneous one night. We all just hugged because it was such a great feeling. I can’t describe how fun it is to come to work everyday.”

AP-ES-12-17-03 1554EST