Toronto Maple Leafs

Is Gunnarsson the odd man out?

October 26, 2011

The Toronto Maple Leafs' 5-2-1 start to the National Hockey League 2011-12 regular season has been somewhat deceptive.

That's not to say the Leafs, who are the youngest team in the NHL, have not deserved its 11 points in the standings, but the wins have accumulated despite the team's sluggish opening periods and mediocre team defense.

That said, the youthful Leafs have displayed plenty of vigour which has allowed them to escape with points in the standings---and you can't ask for more from a young team, really.

Nonetheless, it's difficult to gauge whether the Leafs are for real or on the verge of struggling with con...

Hartnell and Jagr Power Flyers to 4-2 Win

October 25, 2011

Matthew Brigidi

2 Comments

With all the attention focused to the status of Chris Pronger, lost on many last night was the solid effort of the Flyers following two consecutive losses. Matt Brigidi takes a look at the positive parts of Monday night's win.

Scary Night for Flyers Despite Win

October 25, 2011

Matthew Brigidi

6 Comments

Despite snapping a two-game losing streak, all the focus in Philadelphia was on the future of Captain Chris Pronger.

Flyers Double Up Leafs 4-2

October 24, 2011

Marco Perruzza

0 Comments

Considering most people (myself included) expected the Leafs to be embarrassed tonight at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Leafs surprised by managing to be in the game for most of the night. Both Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell paced the Flyers tonight with two goals apiece (Jagr's goals were his first since 2008). Jonas Gustavsson got the start for the Leafs on his 27th birthday and definitely turned some heads by stopping 26 of 30 shots. Gustavsson made some big saves, and was swarmed at times tonight. While it has already been said that The Monster made a statement, he still surrendered four goals which are too many if the Leafs are to win when h...

Game #8 Preview - Flyers vs Leafs

October 24, 2011

Marco Perruzza

4 Comments

Bright lights and loud screaming are considered normal for birthdays. However tonight Jonas Gustavsson will hope that his 27th birthday will be void of the flashing red goal light behind him and that the Wells Fargo Centre does its library impression. With James Reimer sidelined, the Leafs (5-1-1) will turn to their maligned backup tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers (4-2-1). Gustavsson is coming off a 5-4 OT victory against the Montreal Canadiens Saturday night, a game in which he surrendered the first shot he faced and three goals in total during his two periods of work. The Monster has surrendered 9 goals in five periods of hockey this season, and Leafs fans are hoping tonight'...

Leafs Stars Come Through Against Habs

October 23, 2011

Marco Perruzza

4 Comments

The theme of this early season for the Toronto Maple Leafs (5-1-1) seems to be resourcefulness. It hasn't seemed to matter how the points are achieved, but more finding ways to get the job done through any obstacles thrown their way. Tonight's 5-4 overtime victory against the Montreal Canadiens (1-4-2) may have been their most resilient effort of the season. Toronto faced adversity from the opening stages of Saturday's encounter with Brian Gionta taking a run at Leafs netminder James Reimer before the game was even a minute old. Gionta's head shot knocked Reimer's mask askew and prompted Hockey Night In Canada's Glenn Healy to call t...

Game #7 Preview - Canadiens vs Leafs

October 22, 2011

Marco Perruzza

0 Comments

With more than just bragging rights at stake tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1-1) will face the Montreal Canadiens (1-4-1) tonight at the Bell Centre. The Leafs will be looking to bounce back from a tough loss Thursday night suffered at the hands of the Boston Bruins. Two things to watch for tonight are: first, can the Leafs put Thursday nights effort behind them and get two important points? Second, can the Leafs take advantage of the Canadiens while they are down?

The Habs have not had a good start to their season. While injuries have been a factor, they have struggled in most areas of their game. A win tonight against their rival Leafs could go a long way in getting le bleu, ...

Bruins Dominate Leafs

October 20, 2011

Marco Perruzza

0 Comments

The Boston Bruins handed the Toronto Maple Leafs their first regulation loss of the season 6-2 Thursday night. The Bruins jumped all over the Leafs in the first period outshooting them 18-7, and leading 3-1 after the opening 20 minutes. Dave Steckel opened the scoring with his first goal as a Maple Leaf, but the Bruins power play struck twice (Nathan Horton with the first and Zdeno Chara blasted the second), before Chris Kelly banged home the third goal for the black and gold. Cody Franson was completely exposed by Kelly on that third goal. The sooner Franson learns to use his size, the sooner he becomes a mainstay in Toronto. The Bruins then put the nail in the ...

Game #6 Preview - Bruins vs Leafs

October 20, 2011

Marco Perruzza

1 Comment

For the first time this season the Leafs will wear their white road sweaters as they face the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins tonight. The Bruins have started off slowly this season (2-4-0) and will be looking to rebound following their humiliating loss to the Carolina Hurricanes Tuesday night. Boston lost the game 4-1, but also lost their composure. Milan Lucic, Zdeno Chara and Nathan Horton all received misconducts for their unnecessary aggression, while coach Claude Julien was kicked out of the game for arguing with officials. David Krejci is a gametime decision. Tim Thomas is expected to start in goal.

The Leafs will be playing the second of back to back games...

Leafs Shoot Down the Jets 4-3

October 20, 2011

Marco Perruzza

0 Comments

After the first two periods of tonight's Leafs - Jets game it seemed like many fans were watching a replay of the old Leafs from the past four seasons. The Jets jumped out to a 3-1 lead after two periods, prompting the fans at the ACC to boo the buds off the ice heading to the second intermission. The Leafs defense was unable to deal with the Jets speed and fore-checking pressure, causing Luke Schenn and Mike Komisarek to take unnecessary penalties, which of course the Leafs couldn't kill off (a familiar story to Leaf fans).

Tobias Enstrom opened the scoring on a power play in the first period by somehow guiding a blast through six diffe...