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There is nothing like a new boss to temporarily increase production.

The Toronto Maple Leafs played like a group determined to impress Brian Burke, officially installed as the new president and general manager of the Leafs on Saturday, as his players put the brakes on a five-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers at Air Canada Centre.

Burke addressed the Leafs in their dressing room 90 minutes prior to the game, partly to ease their minds that he doesn't have a bias towards European players, partly to inspire them with his passion and partly to introduce himself.

There was a noticeable difference in the Leafs' energy and effort levels in their play.

"I think Brian did a good job to relax them," Toronto coach Ron Wilson said. "I hate to be blunt, but you [reporters] have been asking them dumb questions, like if they think they are going to be traded.

"Brian assured them that wasn't going to happen. That was one of the best things he could have done. He told them to relax and play their game."

Burke tried to persuade his new collection of players that he's not anti-European and reviewed with them his player personnel record with the Vancouver Canucks.

Burke's multi-tiered message was received loud and clear. The Leafs played with a gusto that they had not exhibited since Burke was set free by the Anaheim Ducks on Nov. 12.

Marlies call-up Andre Deveaux fought Philadelphia's Josh Gratton and Toronto fourth-liner Jamal Mayers punched it up with Flyers forward Aaron Asham.

The Leafs were tied 1-1 after the first period and enjoyed a 3-2 lead after 40 minutes.

Leafs third-line centre Dominic Moore was flying around the rink. He attracted some unwanted attention this week when he was asked for his sentiments about Burke joining the fold, considering that Burke was the Vancouver Cancuks GM when Todd Bertuzzi ended his brother Steve Moore's career with an on-ice assault from behind.

Moore handled the situation with class, and Burke also added that he doesn't have a problem with the speedy forward or his family.

"He talked to us and it was a good chance to hear from him," Moore said. "I thought we responded well and played a focus game.

"Probably in the next few days we'll get a chance to get to know him more."

Moore set up linemate Lee Stempniak for his first goal in a Toronto sweater in the first period, and hopped out of the penalty box in the second period for a breakaway goal that put the Leafs ahead 3-1.

"He made a few points," Stempniak said of Burke's speech. "For me, it was the passion and loyalty he has. You can tell that just by the way he carries himself.

"If there was any extra energy in our game, it wasn't because he came in and gave us a rah-rah speech. Maybe it affected us subconsciously."

Toronto's Nik Antropov scored his club's second goal when he was hit on the chin by a clearing attempt from Philadelphia goalie Martin Biron early in the second period.

Mike Richards scored the two Flyers goals, tying the game in the first period by banging in an Asham rebound and converting a shorthanded goal on a cross-ice pass from Simon Gagne.

Leafs defenceman Pavel Kubina gave his club a two-goal cushion early in the final 20 minutes. For the second straight game, Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala turned in a solid performance. He was in excellent position all game.

"The last few games his focus has been so much better," Wilson said of Toskala, who has stopped 62 of 65 shots in his last two outings. "I don't know why, but he was passive before. He was sitting back and getting deep in the net. Now, he's at the top of the crease."

Notes — Deveaux played on the third line with Moore and Stempniak … Long-time NHL referee Dan Marouelli officiated his 1,500 game on Saturday and was honoured with a pregame ceremony … Legendary Toronto goalie Johnny Bower also was in attendance and revealed that he and his wife Nancy recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.