tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Leafs Continue Downward Spiral With 5-1 Loss

With plenty of members of Leaf Nation in attendance, the Toronto Maple Leafs once again came out sleep walking at the Scotiabank Saddledome and dropped a 5-1 decision to the Calgary Flames. The loss is their fourth straight as they cling onto 8th place by one point ahead of the Washington Capitals. In a game that had huge implications for their playoff hopes, the Leafs came out flat once again. The last time the Leafs really came out of the gate in the first period firing on all cyclinders was on January 31st in Pittsburgh.

As has been the case in the 3 previous games, the Leafs defensive zone coverage was awful and as a result they quickly found themselves down 2-0 in the first period. Tyler Bozak's goal late in the first period gave Leaf Nation hope, however the Leafs would never recover from the early hole that they dug for themselves. Another common thread that showed up last night was the Leafs inability or desire to go to the front of the net and create traffic in front of the other team's goaltender. While the Leafs outshot the Flames 42-34, Mikka Kiprusoff was able to see just about everything and rebounds may have been there for the taking but the Leafs were no where to be found.

At this point I keep on wondering who on this team is capable of making a play that is going to turn this thing around. Who in that locker room is going to grab the team by the throat and will it to a victory similar to a Wendel Clark. Apparently the players only meeting that took place after the Montreal loss did absolutely no good.

The Leafs have been outscored 10-1 in their last two games. But more disturbing seems to be the lack of defensive discipline in their own end and the lack of physicality which translates in not going to the other team's net and a meek forecheck. The great chemistry that was present after the encouraging 5-0 win in Ottawa has disappeared and the Senators are now four points ahead of Toronto. The Capitals, while a point behind the Leafs, will have two games in hand on Toronto after the Leafs game against the Oilers tonight.

One final point, the Leafs goaltenders are not stealing a game. If there is any position on this team that could turn this around it is between the pipes. Unfortunately, neither James Reimer or Jonas Gustavsson has been able to make that big save or series of saves that can turn a game around. It will be interesting to see who Ron Wilson has in goal tonight against the Edmonton Oilers.

Someone needs to step up and lead this team out of its funk otherwise this season is going to slip away. The puck drop tonight is at 10:05 at the Rexall Centre.

Leaf Playoff Chances Slipping Away

Last night's horrendous 5-0 loss at the hands of their ancient rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, has left the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff hopes in a shaky position as they head out for a 3 game Western Canadian road trip. For the third game in a row, the Leafs power play was awful, they were unable to create consistent scoring chances, their defensive zone coverage was brutal and they refused to play with the desperation that is needed for a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout.

Prior to their trip to Winnipeg, there was plenty of talk that the Leafs might not make a deal because the team was playing well and Brian Burke might not want to mess with the team chemistry. But, this unwilligness to play responsibily in their own end and bring more bodies in front of the other team's net began in the Monday victory over Edmonton. These last four games just highlight what is a problem for this Leaf team: they don't have enough size upfront to work the boards and create chances. The Leafs propensity to try to skate into the other team's zone and make cute plays is not working and will not work if they make the playoffs. This is also the problem with the power play where there are too many passes on the outside and nothing happening in front of the opposing goalie.

I have said all along that the Leafs need to make a trade and the last four games have solidified my opinion. Brian Burke cannot be too happy with what he has seen over the last four games, particularly last night. With the ceremony honoring Leaf great Mats Sundin and playing against the Habs on Saturday Night, one would have to think that this Leaf team would have come out firing on all cyclinders particularly after coming off two straight losses. But instead they were flat and at times looking disinterested. It might be time to bring Mike Kommisarek back into the lineup and in spite of Ron Wilson's defense, Tim Connolly may need to get a seat up in the press box. One thing is clear: something needs to change in a hurry otherwise Leaf Nation will once again be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

Leafs Fall To 8th With 4-3 Loss

Last night was not a good one for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not only did they lose to the Flyers in Phildelphia by the score of 4-3, but Ottawa defeated Nashville and Florida knocked off L.A. which means the Leafs are now in 8th place only one point ahead of the Washington Capitals. While its unrealistic to think that the Leafs are going to win every game, what's disturbing was how flat the Leafs were in the first period and how poor their defensive zone coverage was throughout the game. In order for the Leafs to make the playoffs they need to be more defensively responsible than they were last night.

For anyone to question James Reimer last night I'm not sure what game they were watching. Reimer was hung out to dry many times throughout the game and really had no chance on any of the Flyer goals. Defensive zone coverage doesn't only apply to the defensemen. The forwards have a role to play in that and Tim Connolly was brutal last night. On Brayden Schenn's goal, which proved to be the winner, Connolly allowed the Flyer youngster to swoop in without laying a glove on him. Jake Gardiner was out of position and Luke's little brother lit the lamp to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead. Connolly's only contribution has been on the penalty kill but $4.5 million for a penalty killer is difficult to swallow.

In the last two games, the Leafs have had quite a bit of difficulty getting out of their own end. Both the Jets and the Flyers had an aggressive forecheck and the Leafs were unable to handle it. The quick breakout passes that allows them to utilize their speed has been limited in the past two games. It seems that they tend to be running around a little too much and that is also evident when trying to breakout of their own end when they have a man advantage. In both games, the Leafs were unable to generate any scoring chances at the end of the game when they were trying to tie it up. Last night was particularly frustrating as they had a power play and pulled Reimer with about 1:30 left and could not get any quality scoring chances.

Saturday night is a must-win for the Leafs as they take on the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens are a team that the Leafs should be beat. They are the better team. However, 3 weeks ago they dropped a 3-1 decision to Montreal in a lacklustre game at the ACC. With a 3 game western road trip facing them next week, the Leafs need these two points. I would hope that they will come out early and play with a sense of urgency as you know that the Habs would like nothing better than to throw a monkey wrench into the Leafs' playoff chances.

Saturday night is also Mats Sundin night as the Leafs will honor their former captain and all-time point leader as they raise his banner up to the rafters. Boy, couldn't the Leafs use the Big Swede now. Imagine him centering Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. It would have been quite an upgrade for Mats as opposed to centering Jonas Hoglund and Mikhael Renberg.

Reimer Records 2nd Shutout As Leafs Win 5-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs stormed into Scotiabank Centre in beautiful Kanata, Ontario and sent the Ottawa Senators deeper into their tailspin with a convincing 5-0 victory on Saturday night. Leaf specialty teams ruled the day as they killed off all 3 penalties and score twice on the power play. Leafs netminder James Reimer posted his second consecutive shutout making 49 saves. Reimer was solid in net seeming to be postioned always in the right place. It is apparent that he is beginning to regain the confidence which made the Leafs believe he was their number one goalie. With the way Jonas Gustavsson had played in the month of January, it looks like the Leafs have a pretty stable goaltending situation. In my opinion, I'm more confident with Reimer in goal as there seems to be less chance for a soft one going in when he is at the top of his game.

Phil Kessel showed last night that he is not only a goal scorer but also a fine passer as he set up Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak for the Leafs 2nd and 3rd goal. Kessel scored the Leafs first goal as he drove to the net to tap in his own rebound as his speed totally befuddled Sens defenseman Matt Carkner. Bozak, Kessel and Joffrey Lupul were dangerous all night. The Leafs third and fourth lines did a good job forechecking the Sens and created scoring chances.

One of the big differences from this Leaf team compared to others in the recent past is the offensive contribution that their defensemen have made. Cody Franson, Luke Schenn and Phaneuf each scored a goal last night and you can see what a difference John-Michael Liles makes on the power play. I thought Schenn played one of his best games of the year last night as he had a physical edge to his play, more so than usual. When looking at the defensemen, I don't know what more I can say about young Jake Gardiner. I said in preseason that I thought this kid was the best young Leaf defenseman they have had since Borje Salming and he continues to support my initial thoughts. The kid has ice water in his veins and his speed allows him to take chances because he has the ability to get back in defensive position. He showed that last night when he chased down Nick Foligno and took the puck away from him after Gardiner had pinched in and Foligno was able to breakout of the Ottawa zone. What looked like a possible Senator scoring chance was foiled when Gardiner took the puck away from Foligno in the Leaf zone before he could make a play.

The Leafs find themselves in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Senators with the Leafs having 3 games in hand. They are also one point behind New Jersey and four points behind Pittsburgh. Those two teams play each other this afternoon and hopefully it is not a 3 point game. Washington hosts the Bruins this afternoon and that is one worth watching as a Leaf fan. The Capitals are two points in back of the Leafs. A Bruin win keeps the Caps behind Toronto. If the Caps win, Washington would move into first in the Southeast Division and the Florida Panthers would fall into ninth place one point behind the Maple Leafs.

The Leafs are in action Monday at the ACC against the Edmonton Oilers who are riding a 3 game winning streak, including last night's shoot out victory over Detroit. Toronto can't take Edmonton lightly. After tomorrow's contest, the Leafs head out on the road for two games: Tuesday in Winnipeg and Thursday in Philadelphia.
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I will have my Super Bowl pick posted at 3pm today!!!