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

Leafs Stay Alive With 3-1 Win

With their playoff hopes on life support, the young Toronto Maple Leafs showed they weren't ready to cash it all in by defeating the Carolina Hurricanes 3-1 in Raleigh, North Carolina.  Once again the Leafs fell behind early 1-0, the 8th straight time that has happened in this interesting run at a playoff spot.  With the win, the Leafs find themselves 2 points behind the Hurricanes and 4 points behind the 8th place Buffalo Sabres.

Dion Phaneuf continued to show why Brian Burke brought him to Toronto scoring two power play goals and getting an assist on Tyler Bozak's goal.  Phaneuf has been a tower of power since the Kaberle trade and his offensive play has really been what the Leafs really need.  If you think about it, he has been a big contributor in most games along this streak since February 1st.

And just when everyone was wondering whether the clock had struck 12 on the Cinderella season of rookie James Reimer, the youngster stopped 36 shots and was solid in net.  After giving up five goals against Tampa Bay, many were suggesting that Reimer may be tiring and that the league has scouted him and have picked up on flaws in his game.  But I think Coach Ron Wilson made a couple of great points last night.  First, Cam Ward has been in 63 games this year for the Canes and no one is talking about him being tired.   And secondly, every goalie in the NHL has bad games.  The key (and this is my take) is how they bounce back and so far this year Reimer has bounced back well. 

The young defense corp of Keith Aulie, Carl Gunnarsson and Luke Schenn continue to impress.  Gunnarsson blocked a number of shots and Aulie looked very solid.  When you factor in Aulie in evaluating last year's trade with Calgary, it may be one of the most lopsided trades in Leaf history.

Tonight will be another test for this young Leaf team as they face a Florida Panther team they should beat and more importantly need to beat.  In a similar situation on the Island, the Leafs failed to gain two points by losing to the Isles 4-3 in overtime in a game that they did not play well.  In fact, it was after that game that Keith Aulie said that "we may have took them for granted."  That can't happen again tonight and hopefully the Leafs learned their lesson.  Anything short of two points tonight could be the final nail in the coffin for the Leaf playoff hopes.  Until then, you gotta Be Leaf!!!!!