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

Leafs Deliver For Christmas With 5-3 Win & NFL Week 16 Picks

Since the lockout, the Toronto Maple Leafs have had a propensity to let down against weaker opponents. Even last year during their late season run, they lost to the Islanders. But last night the Leafs came out flying scoring 3 goals in the first period and hung on for a 5-3 win, picking up 5 out of 6 points heading into the Christmas break. They find themselves in 6th place, 3 points ahead of ninth place Winnipeg and 4 points behind fifth place Pittsburgh.

The Clarke MacArthur-Tim Connolly-Nazem Kadri line has been on fire since Kadri has been called up from the Marlies. Last night this trio combined for five points and was dangerous all night. At the end of the game with the Islanders trying to apply pressure, Phil Kessel made a nice play to break up a potential scoring chance that ultimately led to Joffrey Lupul's empty net goal that secured the win. While we all knew that Kessel could score, it's his improvement in his own end that has really made an impact and has given Coach Ron Wilson confidence in putting Kessel on the ice in the final minute of the game.

Wilson made the right decision to start James Reimer in goal as the Leaf netminder has been solid and last night was no different. It appears that Reimer has fully recovered from his October 22 injury and that bodes well for the Leafs for the remainder of the season. Jake Gardiner was back in the lineup last night and played well. It was a good move by Wilson to sit the young defenseman against Buffalo. Gardiner made a beautiful spin-o-rama move that resulted in a great scoring chance for the Leafs. The Leafs will have an interesting decision after the break as John-Michael Liles should return to action against Florida on Tuesday night. It's not out of the question that Brian Burke could use one of these defenseman along with a youngster to acquire another top 6 forward. However, if the Connolly line continues to play as they have over the last two games, Burke will really be in the catbird's seat since he will not have to make a desperate deal.

Many last season were saying that the Leafs run from January 1st on was typical of the team since the lockout. At that time I stated that it was different. You could see that they were growing as a young club. Reimer was beginning to make a difference and Kessel and Lupul were starting to develop chemistry. In addition, after the trade of Tomas Kaberle, Dion Phaneuf seemed to have lifted his game back to his early days in Calgary. It is apparent that this team has continued where they left off last year. In fact, they have improved with the acquisition of Connolly, David Steckel and the play of Jake Gardiner and Matt Frattin. If Nazem Kadri keeps going the way he has the last 2 games, it only can get better. In addition, they have Joe Colborne waiting in the wings with the Marlies. Playoffs are still not a certainty but this has been the best start the Leafs have had since prior to the lockout.

All in all, it's fun to be a Leaf fan again!!!!!
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My last NFL Picks were for Week 14 when I was 2-1 raising my overall record to 26-20 and over the last 10 weeks 22-10. Here are my picks for Week 16:

* Denver (-3) over Buffalo: This is a big game for the Broncos. A win brings them to 9-6 and would maintain their one game lead over the winner of the KC-Oakland game. A loss would leave them tied. The Bills are a beaten team, having lost 7 in a row and are pretty banged up. This is a game the Broncos can't let slip away. Denver 20 Buffalo 14.

* Baltimore (-12 1/2) over Cleveland: The Ravens should be in an angry mood after being embarassed on national TV last Sunday night. The Ravens are unbeaten at home and are 5-1-1 as a home favorite. The Ravens control their own destiny: if they win out they will be the AFC North Champions and get a first round bye in the playoffs. The Browns have nothing to play for and will be starting Seneca Wallace for a second straight week. Baltimore is ranked 7th in offense and 3rd defensively in the AFC. The Browns are ranked 3rd from the bottom offensively and 8th defensively in the AFC. This one will be ugly. Baltimore 31 Cleveland 14.

* New Orleans (-6 1/2) over Atlanta: The Saints want to be the number 2 seed in the NFC and get a first round bye in the playoffs. A victory over Atlanta clinches the NFC South title. They are on a roll and are 6-0 as a home favorite. The Falcons have won their last 3 out of 4 but the victories were against Minnesota, Carolina and Jacksonville. They step up in class on Monday night in New Orleans. New Orleans 35 Atlanta 27.