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.