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

Leafs Head Home With Season On The Line

The Toronto Maple Leafs ended their Western Canadian road trip in miserable fashion by being dominated by the Vancouver Canucks in a 6-2 loss at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver. There is no sense in going over last night's debacle because whether or not the Leafs make the playoffs could be determined in the next four games, all at the Air Canada Centre. The Leafs play New Jersey on Tuesday, San Jose on Thursday and Washington on Saturday. The home stand closes out on Tuesday February 28th against the Florida Panthers. In my opinion, the Leafs must win the three games against the Eastern Conference teams if they are to get into the playoffs.

The HNIC cameramen picked out two great shots of Leafs General Manager Brian Burke last night. The second one showed a visibly steamed Burke who's face was beet red. After the 5-0 defeat of Ottawa there was plenty of talk that the Leafs might not make a trade because the team seemed to be on track. I for one did not feel that way as I felt that the Leafs needed to add muscle up front. Well, after seeing Burke last night I would be shocked if a couple of trades aren't made before the February 27th trade deadline.

I'm not sure what it is about Saturday night HNIC games but the Maple Leafs are 7-10 in Saturday contests. Making matters worse, four of those wins came in October. If the Leafs were 9-8 they would be tied with Ottawa at 68 points and have two games in hand. They would be only two points behind the New Jersey Devils.

Other than Jake Gardiner, Dion Phaneuf and Phil Kessel, every other player should be available in a trade. There has been plenty of talk that the Leafs may need to get a goaltender. I'm not sure who they could get at this point that will be much better than James Reimer and Jonas Gustavsson unless you could get someone like Jaroslav Halak. What might be the better course is going with Gustavsson on this home stand. While it is apparent that Leaf management wants Reimer to be the team's number one, Gustavsson saved the season in Janaury and deserves the chance to take the role as number one goaltender.

But goaltending is only part of the issue. The Leafs terrible defensive zone coverage is killing them and I believe that it is also tied to their inability to do the gritty things that you need to score goals. Going to the net, cycling down low have been missing for the most part over the last 6 games and that translates into their own end where forwards should be back to assist the defense in getting the puck out of their own zone.

Something needs to happen soon otherwise this season that started out so hopeful will once again result in no playoffs for Leaf Nation.