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

Monster Pitches A Shut Out As Leafs Win 4-0/NFL Playoff Picks

Jonas Gustavsson was in a zone last night, even making a save without his catching glove and a stick, as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-0 at the Air Canada Center. Gustavsson looked extremely solid in goal and made some big saves, particularly in the second period. As a whole, the Leafs were pretty much in control of the game from the start. One of the keys to the Leafs last two victories is an aggressive forecheck, utilizing their speed to attack their opponents. This is what they exhibited early in the season and seemed to have been lacking in the month of December.

The Leafs were also able to get some secondary scoring as Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur scored to add on to the goals of Phil Kessel and Tim Connolly. The Leafs specialty teams also contributed as Kessel and MacArthur's goals were on the power play and the Leafs killed off the lone Winnipeg power play. The victory pushed the Leafs back into the top eight in the Eastern Conference. The only downer of the game was watching Dion Phaneuf go off the ice after being hit in the face with a puck late in the third period. Hopefully there are no broken bones and he doesn't miss many games. Coach Ron Wilson stated that Phaneuf's face was very swollen and that the team would know more today. It seems like its quite possible that the Leaf Captain will miss Saturday's game against Detroit.
*********************************************************************************************************
The NFL Playoffs begin Saturday and here are my picks:

Houston (-3) over Cincinnati: Texans are at home and their defense should hold down the Bengal offense. Houston 20 Cincinnati 14

New Orleans (-10 1/2) over Detroit: The Lions were in the Superdome this year and the results were not good. Expect more of the same on Saturday night as the Lion defense was torched by Matt Flynn last week and one can only imagine what Drew Brees will do. The Saints are 8-0 as home favorite and 12-4 ATS overall. Saints 38 Detroit 23.

NY Giants (-3) over Atlanta: Falcons are terrible on the road and in their only game against a quality opponent over their last 4 games they were beaten badly. I don't know why but I have a feeling that this Giant team may go on a roll. New York 24 Atlanta 17.