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

Leafs Fall To Devils 4-3 In OT

The Toronto Maple Leafs fought back several times to be in a position to get a valuable two points last night against the New Jersey Devils. Yet, each time they drew even, suspect goaltending dropped them behind. The worst being the game winner by Mark Fayne 1:18 into overtime as the Devils defeated the Leafs 4-3. Toronto did get one point and remained tied with Winnipeg for the 8th and final playoff spot.

After Phil Kessel's goal tied the game with 43 seconds left in the third period, the crowd gave the team a standing ovation as regulation time ended and there was a feeling that the Leafs were going to pull this one out. Just before Fayne's goal, Jake Gardiner rattled one off the post behind Marty Brodeur and it seemed like it was a matter of time before they got the winner. However, seconds later Fayne put one past Jonas Gustavsson on a shot that looked like it was going wide of the net.

Think about how we all would be feeling today if the Leafs would have won the game. We would be talking about the fact that they never quit. That they received scoring from 3 lines. That Gustavsson, despite letting in two weak goals early, made some key saves to keep the Leafs in the game. Instead, a team that needed a win badly suffered a miserable defeat. As I mentioned in an earlier post, some times you need a big hit or a big goal. Kessel's goal could have been that goal. But as I also said sometimes your goalie needs to make a big save. In this case, we are not talking about a big save. We're talking about something routine.

It's anybodies guess as to who Coach Ron Wilson will start on Thursday night. Unless another goalie is brought in, I think that Wilson needs to pick a goalie and ride him. A goaltender needs to develop a groove and gain confidence. The yo-yo situation in net is not helping either goalie. It will also be interesting to see how this team reacts after losing a game that they could have won and needed to win. The Leafs control their own destiny but unless the goaltending situation gets straightened out, this team will not make the playoffs.

Let me close by asking you a question that was posed by Toronto Sun reporter Steve Simmons on twitter: If the Leafs need to win the final game of the season to make the playoffs who should Ron Wilson start in goal, James Reimer or Jonas Gustavsson???

Leaf Trade Rumors: Gardiner & Grabovski On The Move??

As we get closer to the February 27th NHL trade deadline, trade rumors involving the Toronto Maple Leafs change hourly and there is plenty of debate as to what this team needs. My opinion is that they need one (if they could two) big forward who can clear space for their talented smaller forwards. Think Ryan Malone or someone like a Brian Boyle (I am not saying that Brian Boyle is available).

There are two big stories floating around Toronto one involving Rick Nash and the other involving Mikhail Grabovski. Nash is the big Columbus Blue Jacket forward who is on the trading block. Nash has given the Blue Jackets five teams that he would agree to go to. One of those teams are the Toronto Maple Leafs. There has been plenty of speculation that Blue Jacket GM Scott Howsam would only consider a deal with the Leafs if rookie defenseman Jake Gardiner was involved. Quite frankly I say no thank you if I'm the Leafs. I've always liked Rick Nash as a player and would love to see him in a Leaf uniform, however the soon to be 28 year old comes with a $7.8 million price tag that runs through 2018. In addition, in order to get Nash it will take more than Gardiner including possibly Mikhail Grabovski and some experts are saying that Phil Kessel might have to be involved.

Moving either Grabovski or Kessel to get Nash makes no sense. If bringing Nash in is to provide more scoring it makes no sense to give up one of your top points producers to get him. Could you imagine Nash on a line with Grabovski?? Moving Grabovski basically means you have traded away your best center man. (more on this below) As far as Kessel goes, you would be trading away a 24 year old All-Star who appears to continue to improve his game and one has to wonder how much higher this kid can go if he had a big center to play with and this is not meant as any slight to Tyler Bozak. Who would you rather have centering Joffrey Lupul and Kessel: Bozak or someone like Ryan Getzlaf??

As far as moving Gardiner, I think that would be a huge mistake. As I have stated many times on this blog, Gardiner is the best young defenseman that this organization has had since Borje Salming. His skating ability is excellent and he leads all rookie defensemen in scoring. Many NHL scouts are saying that this kid can be something special. At the age of 21, Gardiner is already one of the Leafs top 4 defenseman and to move him would be a huge mistake. Having a young defenseman who can skate and has offensive ability to make plays are not easy to find. Gardiner could anchor this defense corp for 10-12 years. Getting Rick Nash would be great, but will the overall cost increase or decrease the team's chances to make the playoffs.

Yesterday Darren Dreger reported that the Leafs had an offer on the table for Mikhail Grabovski that included a second round pick and a top prospect. There was a belief that the Leafs could possibly hold out and get a first rounder and a top prospect. In twitter world it was speculated that the St.Louis Blues were the team involved but that has not been confirmed. Dreger went on to say that this could be an attempt by Brian Burke to put heat on the Grabovski camp to lower its contract demand to stay in Toronto as it has been reported that Mikhail loves living in Toronto.

If Brian Burke makes the deal as reported by Dreger and no other deal is made then it basically tells me that Burke does not believe that this team can make the playoffs and if they do make it they will be an easy mark for a Rangers or Bruins team. It is inconceivable to me that Burkie would move his best center man for a draft pick and propsect unless that draft pick is a top first round pick. Grabovski is the Leafs best center right now and moving him without getting anyone to replace him means that Tim Connolly becomes your 2nd line center. Somehow that doesn't inspire me.

Brian Burke's history with the Maple Leafs has been to make a deal that no one was expecting. It would seem that with the glut of defensemen that the team has that one of them would be included in a trade. I would think that Gardiner, Dion Phaneuf and John-Michael Liles would not be involved in a deal. But one thing is clear: I would be shocked if Burke does not make a trade. A big forward would be what I think the team needs and if it was a center man that would even be better. Only time will tell, so stay tuned.

Meanwhile, the Leafs have a tough one tonight against the Vancouver Canucks. Its a big game for the Leafs as the Washington Capitals pulled within one point of Toronto and Winnipeg is now only 4 points behind. This game will be a tough one and hopefully the Leafs will play with desperation tonight. James Reimer gets the start on Hockey Night In Canada. The puck drop is at 7:05pm.

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.

Leaf Playoff Chances Slipping Away

Last night's horrendous 5-0 loss at the hands of their ancient rivals, the Montreal Canadiens, has left the Toronto Maple Leafs playoff hopes in a shaky position as they head out for a 3 game Western Canadian road trip. For the third game in a row, the Leafs power play was awful, they were unable to create consistent scoring chances, their defensive zone coverage was brutal and they refused to play with the desperation that is needed for a team looking to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout.

Prior to their trip to Winnipeg, there was plenty of talk that the Leafs might not make a deal because the team was playing well and Brian Burke might not want to mess with the team chemistry. But, this unwilligness to play responsibily in their own end and bring more bodies in front of the other team's net began in the Monday victory over Edmonton. These last four games just highlight what is a problem for this Leaf team: they don't have enough size upfront to work the boards and create chances. The Leafs propensity to try to skate into the other team's zone and make cute plays is not working and will not work if they make the playoffs. This is also the problem with the power play where there are too many passes on the outside and nothing happening in front of the opposing goalie.

I have said all along that the Leafs need to make a trade and the last four games have solidified my opinion. Brian Burke cannot be too happy with what he has seen over the last four games, particularly last night. With the ceremony honoring Leaf great Mats Sundin and playing against the Habs on Saturday Night, one would have to think that this Leaf team would have come out firing on all cyclinders particularly after coming off two straight losses. But instead they were flat and at times looking disinterested. It might be time to bring Mike Kommisarek back into the lineup and in spite of Ron Wilson's defense, Tim Connolly may need to get a seat up in the press box. One thing is clear: something needs to change in a hurry otherwise Leaf Nation will once again be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

Leafs Fall To 8th With 4-3 Loss

Last night was not a good one for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not only did they lose to the Flyers in Phildelphia by the score of 4-3, but Ottawa defeated Nashville and Florida knocked off L.A. which means the Leafs are now in 8th place only one point ahead of the Washington Capitals. While its unrealistic to think that the Leafs are going to win every game, what's disturbing was how flat the Leafs were in the first period and how poor their defensive zone coverage was throughout the game. In order for the Leafs to make the playoffs they need to be more defensively responsible than they were last night.

For anyone to question James Reimer last night I'm not sure what game they were watching. Reimer was hung out to dry many times throughout the game and really had no chance on any of the Flyer goals. Defensive zone coverage doesn't only apply to the defensemen. The forwards have a role to play in that and Tim Connolly was brutal last night. On Brayden Schenn's goal, which proved to be the winner, Connolly allowed the Flyer youngster to swoop in without laying a glove on him. Jake Gardiner was out of position and Luke's little brother lit the lamp to give the Flyers a 4-2 lead. Connolly's only contribution has been on the penalty kill but $4.5 million for a penalty killer is difficult to swallow.

In the last two games, the Leafs have had quite a bit of difficulty getting out of their own end. Both the Jets and the Flyers had an aggressive forecheck and the Leafs were unable to handle it. The quick breakout passes that allows them to utilize their speed has been limited in the past two games. It seems that they tend to be running around a little too much and that is also evident when trying to breakout of their own end when they have a man advantage. In both games, the Leafs were unable to generate any scoring chances at the end of the game when they were trying to tie it up. Last night was particularly frustrating as they had a power play and pulled Reimer with about 1:30 left and could not get any quality scoring chances.

Saturday night is a must-win for the Leafs as they take on the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens are a team that the Leafs should be beat. They are the better team. However, 3 weeks ago they dropped a 3-1 decision to Montreal in a lacklustre game at the ACC. With a 3 game western road trip facing them next week, the Leafs need these two points. I would hope that they will come out early and play with a sense of urgency as you know that the Habs would like nothing better than to throw a monkey wrench into the Leafs' playoff chances.

Saturday night is also Mats Sundin night as the Leafs will honor their former captain and all-time point leader as they raise his banner up to the rafters. Boy, couldn't the Leafs use the Big Swede now. Imagine him centering Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. It would have been quite an upgrade for Mats as opposed to centering Jonas Hoglund and Mikhael Renberg.

Reimer Records 2nd Shutout As Leafs Win 5-0

The Toronto Maple Leafs stormed into Scotiabank Centre in beautiful Kanata, Ontario and sent the Ottawa Senators deeper into their tailspin with a convincing 5-0 victory on Saturday night. Leaf specialty teams ruled the day as they killed off all 3 penalties and score twice on the power play. Leafs netminder James Reimer posted his second consecutive shutout making 49 saves. Reimer was solid in net seeming to be postioned always in the right place. It is apparent that he is beginning to regain the confidence which made the Leafs believe he was their number one goalie. With the way Jonas Gustavsson had played in the month of January, it looks like the Leafs have a pretty stable goaltending situation. In my opinion, I'm more confident with Reimer in goal as there seems to be less chance for a soft one going in when he is at the top of his game.

Phil Kessel showed last night that he is not only a goal scorer but also a fine passer as he set up Dion Phaneuf and Tyler Bozak for the Leafs 2nd and 3rd goal. Kessel scored the Leafs first goal as he drove to the net to tap in his own rebound as his speed totally befuddled Sens defenseman Matt Carkner. Bozak, Kessel and Joffrey Lupul were dangerous all night. The Leafs third and fourth lines did a good job forechecking the Sens and created scoring chances.

One of the big differences from this Leaf team compared to others in the recent past is the offensive contribution that their defensemen have made. Cody Franson, Luke Schenn and Phaneuf each scored a goal last night and you can see what a difference John-Michael Liles makes on the power play. I thought Schenn played one of his best games of the year last night as he had a physical edge to his play, more so than usual. When looking at the defensemen, I don't know what more I can say about young Jake Gardiner. I said in preseason that I thought this kid was the best young Leaf defenseman they have had since Borje Salming and he continues to support my initial thoughts. The kid has ice water in his veins and his speed allows him to take chances because he has the ability to get back in defensive position. He showed that last night when he chased down Nick Foligno and took the puck away from him after Gardiner had pinched in and Foligno was able to breakout of the Ottawa zone. What looked like a possible Senator scoring chance was foiled when Gardiner took the puck away from Foligno in the Leaf zone before he could make a play.

The Leafs find themselves in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, one point behind the Senators with the Leafs having 3 games in hand. They are also one point behind New Jersey and four points behind Pittsburgh. Those two teams play each other this afternoon and hopefully it is not a 3 point game. Washington hosts the Bruins this afternoon and that is one worth watching as a Leaf fan. The Capitals are two points in back of the Leafs. A Bruin win keeps the Caps behind Toronto. If the Caps win, Washington would move into first in the Southeast Division and the Florida Panthers would fall into ninth place one point behind the Maple Leafs.

The Leafs are in action Monday at the ACC against the Edmonton Oilers who are riding a 3 game winning streak, including last night's shoot out victory over Detroit. Toronto can't take Edmonton lightly. After tomorrow's contest, the Leafs head out on the road for two games: Tuesday in Winnipeg and Thursday in Philadelphia.
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I will have my Super Bowl pick posted at 3pm today!!!

Reimer Posts Shutout As Leafs Win 1-0

In a game that had the feel of one in a playoff series, the Toronto Maple Leafs bounced back from a disappointing shoot out loss the night before by defeating the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0. James Reimer played in his first game since January 17th and posted the shut out. Reimer looked shaky in the first period but seemed to get stronger as the game went on. He benefitted from a couple of goal posts and a crossbar but he provided the Leafs with the goaltending that they needed to bang out a win in this tight defensive contest. Hopefully, the win boosts Reimer's confidence and is something that the young netminder can build on for the rest of the season.

The Leafs played a good game defensively which obviously helped out their young netminder. The second and fourth lines of the Maple Leafs were especially responsible defensively. Once again, the Mikhail Grabovski line shut down the other teams big line as Evgeni Malkin was kept off the score sheet. There was a moment in the third period after the Leafs had scored where Malkin had the puck along the boards in the Leafs zone and the much-smaller Grabovski was tying up the towering Malkin. It was Grabovski's line that scored the Leafs only goal after some beautiful puck movement by Jake Gardiner. Gardiner made a nice pass to Nikolai Kulemin who made a nice play at the blue line to get the puck to Grabovski. The 28 year old center man found an open Clarke MacArthur who put it past Brent Johnson to give the Leafs the lead that they would not rellinquish.

The Leafs newly constructed fourth line of Mike Brown, David Steckel and Colby Armstrong were strong all night. Armstrong, who has been injured more than he has played, had a good first game back. With less than 3 minutes to play his persistent forechecking kept the Penguins bottled up in their own end and eventually forced a faceoff as the Leafs 4th line created a goal mouth scrum that forced Johnson to cover up the puck.

One thing the Leafs have to be concerned about is the scoring drought of the first line. They are obviously getting a lot of attention and they are getting pushed around. It makes one think that Brian Burke may have to make a deal to get a big bodied center for Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul. That will be easier said then done, but if anyone can pull it off its Burke.

This morning the Leafs find themselves in seventh place, one point ahead of New Jersey and two points behind Ottawa. Saturday's game against the Senators is a huge one. It will be interesting to see who is in goal and if Jay Rosehill and Mike Kommisarek find their way back into the lineup against the physical Senators. Saturday night on Hockey Night In Canada from Kanata, Ontario. Can't wait!!!

Leafs Dominate & Lose In Shoot Out 5-4

For 48 minutes last night the Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Console Energy Center and had a 4-1 lead. (which should have been 5-1 but more on that later) Then Jake Gardiner fell at the blue line and Steve Sullivan rushed down the right wing and took a shot from at the top of the circle beating Jonas Gustavsson on his glove side and the Penguins pulled to within 2 goals. Then with just under 5 minutes remaining, Joe Vitale scored off a goal mouth scrum that Gustavsson should have covered and the Penguins made it 4-3. This just after the Leafs had successfully killed off a Penguin power play. The rest is history as Evgeni Malkin scored with 6 seconds remaining in the game to send it to overtime. Malkin's goal was lucky as James Neal shot deflected off Malkin's shoulder and found the back of the net.

The Leafs came out flying and Tyler Bozak scored on a beautiful pass from Phil Kessel which should have made the score 1-0. However, the referees waived the goal off saying that Marc-Andre Fleury was interferred with by Joffrey Lupul. Replays clearly showed that Lupul was no where near Fleury. Even the ridiculously terrible Pittsburgh broadcast team admitted that it was a bad call.

It's really hard to fault anyone for this loss however Jonas Gustavsson has to be better. There has been a disturbing trend with Gustavsson as he seems to allow a terrible goal at least once a game. This can't happen if the Leafs are to make the playoffs and defnitely can't happen once in the playoffs. One can make the argument that the second Penguin goal was simply bad luck as Jake Gardiner blew a tire at the blue line which resulted in Steve Sullivan's breakaway. I maintain that Gustavsson should have stopped Sullivan's shot however I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. But the third goal is inexcusable. Gustavsson had an opportunity to cover that puck and didn't. The Leafs had just killed off a penalty. Should Vitale have been tied up? Yes. But if you watch the replay on that goal, Gustavsson had his glove on the puck and couldn't smother it. Really, no excuse for not covering it up. In the end, Fleury outplayed Gustavsson.

Last night, the NHL Center Ice package only carried the Pittsburgh feed for the game. Without a doubt, these two guys were flat out terrible. They might be bigger homers than Jack Edwards of NESN. In the second period after Mikhail Grabovski's second goal, Paul Steigerwald lamented over a non-call on Grabovski on a supposed hook on Evgeni Malkin. It looked to me like Malkin embellished. Steigerwald was yelling that the reason why the Leafs are not taking many penalties is because the referees aren't calling them. Bob Errey explains to his flabbergasted broadcast partner that this is what happens when the referees acknowledge that they have made a bad call. You see, according to Errey, the refs were told during the intermission that they blew the no goal call in the 1st period and that they had to even things up for the Leafs. Really???? It was at that point that I watched the rest of the game with the mute button on. These guys are the worst. Unfortunately, Center Ice may only have the Pittsburgh feed again. Looks like a no sound game for me once again.

These two teams meet again tonight at the Air Canada Centre. If the Leafs win tonight, last night's loss won't sting as bad as they would have got 3 out of a possible 4 points in this pair against Pittsburgh. A loss tonight and last night's game will sting worse. The Leafs need to take this game to the Penguins once again. A lack lustre performance tonight will be terrible. It will be interesting to see if Coach Ron Wilson comes back with Gustavsson. Personally, I'd consider James Reimer tonight. Last season I can't remember Reimer allowing one stinker a game.

This game is huge as the Capitals and Panthers play each other tonight. The Leafs are one point ahead of Florida however the Panthers have 2 games in hand on the Leafs. Conversely, the Leafs are only 4 points behind Ottawa with 3 games in hand. Tonight is one of those games.

The puck drop is 7:35 at the ACC.