He was referring to the Leafs first game, Monday against Ottawa. He was much better against the Habs. Also, just because you hear Babcock say something like that, doesn't necessarily make it true. Babcock might be one of the best motivators in the league, and he knows how to pump a player up when he needs it. He is protecting the players, which is what he should be doing. He would never come out and say that Gardiner was horrible. Gardiner has fragile confidence and it is obvious, what better what to instill confidence in him then coming out and saying he was the best player on the ice?
Watch the post-Montreal presser. Babcock literally says Gardiner was the best player by a mile. Unless you think he somehow sleep coached through the previous 24 hours and thought we has answering media questions about Ottawa.