Toronto Maple Leafs

Monster Effort as Leafs Beat Rangers 4-2

December 5, 2011

For the first thirty minutes of tonight's game it looked like the Leafs had become clones of the Boston Bruins team that had just handed them two straight losses. The Leafs came out of the gate like a bat out of hell, dominating the first half of the game against a red-hot New York Rangers team. Jumping out to a 3-0 lead on the strength of goals by Cody Franson, Tim Connolly and Joffrey Lupul, the Leafs looked unstoppable. Phil Kessel assisted on two of those three goals, and was a dynamo all night. Tonight's game was Kessel's best game in a blu...

Moulson Is Seeing Stars

December 5, 2011

Rob McGowan

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Matt Moulson scored the first four-goal game of his NHL career Saturday night against the Dallas Stars; it was also the first individual four-goal game of the 2012 season. As a result, the Islanders were able to hold on for a thrilling 5-4 win.

Although the win is what ultimately matters most for the Islanders, who took seven out of eight possibly points on their four-game road trip, Moulson was the recipient of this week's NHL's First Star honors.

One Year Later, Lupul Looking Sharp

December 5, 2011

Kim Pollock

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Joffrey Lupul didn’t think he would be able to play hockey again.

Sidelined for almost a year with complications from back surgeries and blood infections, a return didn’t look promising.

On December 5th, 2010, he made his return to the NHL. Today, exactly one year later, he is tied with Vancouver’s Daniel Sedin for third in the league in points (with 30), and part of arguably one of the best goal-scoring tandems in the league with teammate Phil Kessel.

His back issues started in training camp back in 2009. Back spasms kept him sidelined for four days, and then he began suffering from pain and numbness in ...

Game Preview #27 - Rangers vs Leafs

December 5, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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As the rain and gloom has fallen around the Toronto Maple Leaf (14-10-2) at this moment tonight's game against the New York Rangers (15-5-3) could not have come at a better time. This is the proverbial opportunity knocking for the blue and white tonight. Two tough, hard fought losses against a superior Boston Bruins team has apparently stolen all of the wind from the Leafs' sail. However, let's look at it another way. Had the Leafs defeated the Bruins and entered New York state and laid an egg against both the Rangers tonight, and the Devi...

Game Preview #26 - Bruins vs Leafs

December 3, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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The Toronto Maple Leafs (14-9-2) will attempt to conquer their Waterloo tonight as they face the Boston Bruins (15-7-1) for the second time in four days. The Leafs will receive a big boost tonight as #1 goalie James Reimer is expected to be in the lineup for the first time since October 22. Despite Reimer's return Jonas Gustavsson is expected to get his fifth straight start against a red-hot Bruins team. Boston went 12-0-1 in November vaulting themselves to the top of the North East Division standings. Both teams are expected to dress the same...

Leafs Taught a Lesson by Bruins

November 30, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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With the game tonight between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins being built up to be a measuring stick game for the young buds, I think the Leafs measured up really well before falling a little short. This game was much closer than the 6-3 final score makes it seem to be. The Leafs were able to stand toe to toe with the defending Stanley Cup Champions and hottest team in the NHL. The difference tonight was the Bruins ability to know how to win games. With the Leafs off to a great start while being the youngest team in the league, there are going to ...

Game Preview #25 - Leafs vs Bruins

November 30, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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With the Toronto Maple Leafs (14-8-2) facing the Boston Bruins (14-7-1) many people are looking for this to be a statement game for the blue and white. Of course the MSM has been drooling over these Bruins for the last three days, siting the two blowout losses the Leafs were dealt earlier this season at the hands of the defending Cup champions. While I agree Boston is definitely a strong and elite team in the NHL, I think those two games are not a proper sample size to use as comparisons.

Don't Pinch Me! Leafs Squash Ducks 5-2

November 28, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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Is it time for me to admit that I was wrong about Tyler Bozak? Has the third year pro really turned the corner and become a productive player for the blue and white? With five goals and eleven points in his last ten games all signs would point to yes. I can't deny the fact that he is playing well. Like a jaded spouse though I haven't had my confidence in his abilities fully restored. On this night Bozak paced the Leafs with two more goals. With Mikhail Grabovski returning to the lineup tonight, the Leafs are beginning to have some good problems.

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Leafs Stick It to Stars in Shootout

November 26, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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The Toronto Maple Leafs are on their way to Anaheim to finish this four game road trip with another two points following their 3-2 SO victory in Dallas last night. Although the Leafs managed to get a great result against a tough opponent, the game wasn't all good for the blue and white. Top pairing defenseman (and probably their most consistent defender of the season) Carl Gunnarsson left the game midway through the second period after taking a point shot off of his hand. Penalty killing and faceoff specialist David Steckel also blocked a shot with his ...

Game Preview #23 - Stars vs Leafs

November 25, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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Coming off of a big 7-1 victory on Tuesday night the Toronto Maple Leafs (12-8-2) seem to be all smiles at the moment. Considering #1 goalie James Reimer started practicing in full yesterday followed by the entire blue and white organization (those that were in Dallas) taking in the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins game yesterday afternoon. While I'm all for team building exercises and enjoying the season, it all means nothing if the Leafs come out flat tonight against the Dallas Stars (13-8-0). Coming into the game tonight on the heels of two straight...