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

Scrivens, Kessel Lead Leafs in 3-2 Shootout Win

With a goaltending controversy brewing, rookie Ben Scrivens was given the assignment Thursday night against the St. Louis Blues and the rookie took full advantage of the chance as he stopped 37 shots plus everything in the shoot out as the Maple Leafs flew home with a 3-2 win. Scrivens was outstanding in the second and third periods as the Leafs were out shot better than 3-1. He looked shaky early in the first period but settled down and was the main reason why the Leafs were able to snap their two game losing streak.

Phil Kessel scored his 12th goal of the season on the power play and with 2 minutes remaining in the third period it looked like the game winner. But the Leafs were hanging on for dear life and the Blues finally got one by Scrivens to tie the game up with 1:58 left. After a scoreless overtime period, Kessel notched the only goal in the shootout which gave the Leafs the victory after Scrivens stopped all 3 Blues shooters.

The Leafs seemed to falter late in the third period as they had a difficult time getting out of their own zone. In games on the road when they have been ahead they have been able to clamp down in the third period and not give up many scoring chances. But last night the Blues were relentless and the Leafs mounted little if any offensive push of their own.

It would seem based upon Coach Ron Wilson's decision to play Scrivens that management has lost some confidence in Jonas Gustavsson and that is certainly understandable. I would be shocked if Scrivens was not back in net tomorrow against the Ottawa Senators. From now until the end of November the Leafs have nine games to play with 5 being on the road. If James Reimer is not back by then, the Leafs will have to evaluate where they are at with their goaltenders and if they need to bring in a veteran.

James Reimer's agent has indicated that Reimer's status is improving and the Leaf netminder should be back on the ice soon. How soon is soon is anyone's guess. But the Leafs cannot afford shoddy goaltending over the next 9 games or they may be finding themselves giving away the good start that they have had up to this point. Offensively, the Leafs seemed to be back in a rut with the Kessel line being the main contributors. They have only scored 3 goals in their last 3 games and you are not going to win many with that kind of offense. The Grabovski line is getting chances but not scoring. At times I think there is a little too much passing with this trio. I also think that Clarke MacArthur's overall play has slipped since the Columbus game. He seems to be rather lazy on his defensive responsibilities. It would be nice if the third line could contribute and maybe with David Steckel at center it may create opportunities for Matt Frattin and Matthew Lombardi.

The Leaf penalty killing unit was 4 for 5 in holding off the Blues power play unit and hopefully this can continue. The power play was responsible for both of the Leafs two goals and John-Michael Liles seems to have settled in as the power play quarterback. On both goals the Leafs went to the net and they need to do more of that.

There is reason for optimism with this team when you consider that they have been without their number one goalie since October 22 and are 5-4 since then and they have been without their number one center for all but several games. While their play of late has given me cause for concern, they are holding their own considering that it appears that their goaltending will be in the hands of an undrafted rookie from Cornell. The pressure will be on such players as Phil Kessel, Dion Phaneuf, Mikhail Grabovski and John-Michael Liles to hold this thing together until Reimer gets back. This is a young team and if they can whether this adversity it will bode well for the future particularly if this team gets into the playoffs.

The puck drops sometime after 7pm on Saturday at the ACC as it is the Hall of Fame game when ex-Leafs Doug Gilmour, Eddie Belfour and Joe Nieuwendyck will be honored for their entry into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

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Later today, Week 10 NFL picks. Been red hot as of late, 11-4 the last 5 weeks.