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

Leafs Gut Out 2-1 OT Win

The Toronto Maple Leafs totally dominated the game last night against the Carolina Hurricanes. But after 60 minutes they found themselves tied 1-1. Not getting two points at home against the East's worst team would have been demoralizing. But the Leafs were not to be denied as Tim Connolly scored his second goal of the night as the Maple Leafs defeated the Hurricanes 2-1 in overtime. Both of Connolly's goals were a result of the veteran free-agent acquistion's willingness to drive toward the net. His first goal was a beautiful deflection off a shot by Clarke MacArthur. The winner was a result of a Joffrey Lupul going toward the net poking a puck at Cam Ward. The puck escaped Ward and Connolly followed the play in toward the net and tapped it in easily giving the Leafs a much needed win.

Cam Ward had a great game bouncing back from a rough week but the Leafs also helped out by not having any traffic in front of him. The third period the Leafs seemed to pick up their game as far as making things tough for Ward. At the other end of the ice, James Reimer did not have a lot of work but made saves when he needed to. Alexi Ponikarovsky's power play goal that tied the game was not Reimer's fault as Jake Gardiner failed to tie up the big former Leaf. Ponikarovsky's inability to tie up Connolly in overtime resulted in the game winner.

The Leaf special teams once again failed them. The power play, which was impressive several games ago, was 0-3 last night and is 1-15. The Leafs penalty killing once again allowed a goal which tied the game late in the third period. I believe that the Leaf special team units need to work harder and and pay the price. On the power play that means going to the net. Other than Phil Kessel, I don't see anyone who is willing to take the puck to the net off the half boards. That creates space which can result in a good scoring chance. On the penalty kill, Gardiner's play last night typifies the problem: the Leafs need to be more aggressive. There is no way Ponikarovsky should have been allowed to get his stick on the puck. It wasn't like Gardiner was out of position. He just didn't do enough to tie the former Leaf up. On the penalty kill, the Leafs need to play like its the seventh game of the Stanley Cup Finals and you are up by a goal. It has to be balls to the wall.

3 out of the next 4 games for the Leafs are at home. The lone road game is against the Sabres on Friday. That will be a tough one. Then 3 games at home against Vancouver, Los Angelos and Buffalo before the Christmas break. 6 out of 8 points would be great. It's possible but the Leafs must be willing to pay the price. On Friday in a place where they have historically had problems will find out how willing they are to do that.