Toronto Maple Leafs

Times Have Changed - Leafs Beat Devils 5-3

November 3, 2011

In the 2001 and 2002 NHL playoffs the Toronto Maple Leafs and New Jersey Devils faced off in two physical, emotional and hard fought series. With Martin Brodeur in the net for the Devils and Curtis Joseph for the Leafs, one constant those two years was great goaltending. After watching last night's 5-3 Leafs victory it's obvious that the rivalry and intensity between these two teams is dead. Some old warriors from that Devils dynasty in Patrick Elias, Petr Sykora and of course Brodeur are playing out their final days, but they are simply running on fumes as the Devils drown in mediocrity. Coming off of a six game absence due to a shoulder injury, Brodeu...

Game #12 Preview - Devils vs Leafs

November 2, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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To start this young season the Toronto Maple Leafs (7-3-1) have managed to bounce back after every loss with a big win. Tonight the Leafs will attempt to continue that streak as they meet the New Jersey Devils (4-4-1) in the midst of this brief three game road trip. The Leafs and Devils both lost road games on Sunday night. The Leafs going down 3-2 to Ottawa, while the Devils were defeated 3-1 by the Dallas Stars.

New Jersey will have Martin Brodeur back in the lineup, but the Devils struggles weren't between the pipes. As coach Peter Deboer said "I’m sure it gives you a lift. Obviously (Brodeur) may be the best goaltender of all time, and one ...

Can History Repeat Itself?

November 1, 2011

Marco Perruzza

4 Comments

Heading into the 2009-2010 regular season, the Toronto Maple Leafs had an undisputed #1 goalie (Jean Sebastian Giguere), a back up looking to become a dependable NHL’er (Jonas Gustavsson...

Leafs Edged Out By Hot Senators

October 31, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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Having defeated the conference leading Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday in a dramatic back and forth affair, it seemed that the Leafs weren't able to get engaged as they faced the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night. The Senators were able to take advantage of the listless buds for a 3-2 victory, their sixth straight. Although the Leafs did open the scoring on a Clarke MacArthrur power play goal it was obvious from the start that the Leafs didn't have it on the night. Tired legs, and a complete lack of emotion was on display as the Senators cycled and attacked the Leafs in waves.

Despite the fact that the Leafs were somewhat absent for most of the ...

Game #11 Preview - Senators vs Leafs

October 30, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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It has been a long time since Toronto Maple Leafs (7-2-1) and the Ottawa Senators (6-5-0) have met in the Battle of Ontario with both teams being in a playoff position. Following a dramatic victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins last night, the Leafs find themselves with a three point cushion over the Buffalo Sabres for first place in the North East division. Sitting second in the Eastern Conference standings, the Leafs are only three points behind the Penguins for first place with three games in hand. Things seem to be looking up for the buds.

On the ice, the Leafs have benefited greatly from the return of Tim Connolly and Tyler Bozak to the lineup. For the first time in a long time ...

Phil Kessel and the Center Carousel

October 29, 2011

Rob Melendez

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Hot Start

Phil ‘The Thrill’ Kessel is off to the best start of his career, leading the league in points (16) and tied for the league lead in goals (9) through 9 games.

Leaf nation has always known that Kessel can put up big points though; more impressive is Kessel’s play at both ends of the rink. Brian Burke has referred to Kessel as a 200ft player, praising him on his back-checking and fore-checking.

&nb...

One-on-One With Ryan Strome

October 28, 2011

Rob McGowan

2 Comments

Ryan Strome is an 18-year old out of Mississauga, Ontario that many Islanders fans were unfamiliar with until the 2011 NHL Entry Draft. The 6'1, 183 pound center was selected by the New York Islanders with the fifth overall pick, igniting a fan base to a new level of excitement on draft day.

That's because Strome is a gifted center with great vision and superb play-making ability. He also has some of the craziest hands, as evident by his goal that he scored on Islanders goalie prospect, Anders Nilsson in the rookie scrimmage over the summer.

Currently playing for the Niagara Ice Dogs of the OHL, Strome has five goals and four assists in only seven games played since be...

Is Gustavsson good enough?

October 28, 2011

Ron Guillet

3 Comments

Jonas Gustavsson won his first game of the season---going back to last season he hadn't won since Jan.6---and looked sharp in the victory over the New York Rangers.

The decision to enter the season with James Reimer and Gustavsson between the pipes was a risky one by the Toronto Maple Leafs' management. Reimer and Gustavsson, as of now, have a combined 112 games of experience at the NHL level. But the Leafs also entered the season as the NHL's youngest club with an average age of 26.07, so perhaps its goal...

Leafs Spoil Garden Party

October 27, 2011

Marco Perruzza

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In the preview for tonight's Leafs Rangers game I said that this game was a statement game for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Coming off of a loss in Philadelphia, and playing without their number one goalie (James Reimer), the Leafs survived the first period before dominating their original six rivals for a 4-2 victory. The Rangers outshot Toronto 16-10 in the first period taking a 1-0 lead into the intermission on a goal by Dan Girardi. The Rangers could have been ahead by more, but two goals were justly waived off due to Ryan Callahan interfering with Jonas Gustavsson.

A weak Matthew Lombardi wrister found a way through Henrik Lundqvist and the Leafs...

Game #9 Preview - Rangers vs Leafs

October 27, 2011

Marco Perruzza

0 Comments

In perhaps their first statement game of the season, the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-2-1) will face off against the New York Rangers (3-2-2). Following their opening trip to Europe and western Canada swing, tonight’s game will be the long delayed home opener for the Rangers. New York has struggled so far this season, and may be facing the Leafs at the best time. New York has gone 6-0-2 and outscored the Leafs 32-11, Ranger fans are hoping this dominance continues. With the looming absence of Marc Staal, the Rangers have struggled defensively to begin this season. Kurt Sauer will return to the Rangers lineup tonight. Following a loss against the Philadelphia Flyers on...