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

Leafs Visit The New MSG To Take On Rangers

If the Toronto Maple Leafs are to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout, the New York Rangers are one of the teams that they will need to beat. Tonight in the Rangers home opener at the newly renovated Madison Square Garden the Leafs will have an opportunity to take that first step. It will also allow them to end this 4 game road trip on a high note with a 2-2 record.

They should have James Reimer back in net along with the return of Tyler Bozak and the debut of Tim Connolly. It will be interesting to see if Coach Ron Wilson puts Connolly on the big line right away though it was reported that he did practice with Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. With the return of Bozak and Connolly, it would seem that Nazem Kadri will be going back to the Marlies. I don't think that is a bad move since Kadri still needs to refine his game. Not sure what the Leafs can do but Kadri still seems to be easily knocked off the puck as was the case in the third period when he was placed up on the first line.

Some in the Toronto media are questioning the Leaf start since their wins have come against the likes of Montreal(2), Winnipeg, Ottawa and Calgary. But what if they would have lost??? You know they would be roasted for that. The fact is that in order to make the playoffs you need to beat the teams you are suppose to and try to split against those higher in the standings. Before the beginning of the season a big question was: If the Leafs are to make the playoffs, which team(s) that made it last year will they have to beat out?? Well, last time I checked the Canadiens made the playoffs last year and the Leafs are 2-0 against the Habs. Tonight the Rangers are another one of those teams.

The key tonight will be for the Leafs to withstand the first 10 minutes of the game as I'm sure the Rangers will come out flying for the home opener. They will also need to limit the number of penalties as that was one of the problems in their 4-2 loss to the Flyers. This game won't be easy but it is a game that the Leafs can win and need to win. I'll be posting after the game tonight.

Upcoming Schedule: Tomorrow - Week 8 NFL Picks, Saturday - Yankee Rumblings, Saturday Night - Leaf/Penguins Recap and Sunday - Browns/49er Preview.