Tucker celebrates his first powerplay goal this
year, second goal of the year, and a much needed
game-winning goal for the
Leafs.
Finally, the Leafs came out on top in the Battle of Ontario for the first time this season. Bryan McCabe seems to be regaining his old self back, Toskala earned his first shutout as a Leaf, and the Toronto special teams seems to have caught some success.
The Leafs ended a five game winless streak at home, and handed Ottawa their first road loss of the season, beating the Sens 3-0 with the superb goaltending of Vesa Toskala.
McCabe should finally gain the respect he deserves for being one of the top defenseman in the league. In Saturday's game against the Senators he played over 30 minutes of icetime, notching two powerplay assists, and getting +1 for Tlusty's third-period goal. THIRTY minutes of ice-time, that is alot for Caber (Gonchar 27 min, Pronger 28 min, Lidstrom 27 min). He definitely played like the McCabe we know of before the huge contract signing. In fact, I have never once seen McCabe have a better game defensively.
Vesa Toskala played like the Toskala we traded for from San Jose last night, making huge saves whenever it was needed, earning him his first shutout of the season, and finally having the fan support behind him. It made me so happy seeing Toskala absolutely school Daniel Alfredsson on his breakaway in the third period, after a giveaway by Tomas Kaberle. It was strange to see solid goaltending for a full 60 minutes, which I think the Leafs have missed for 5 or 6 years, especially against the best team in the league, the best line in hockey (Alfie-Spezza-Heatley), and a team that is unbeaten on the road, while the Leafs aren't very good at home of late.
The Leafs special teams were incredible last night, with the 29th rank PP scoring two goals on the hottest goalie in the league. The job they did shutting down Ottawas PP wasn't too bad either, with big Hal Gill, McCabe, Anty Nik, Devereaux, and the combo of Steen-Whistle and Stajan all coming up huge. Even after getting our old powerplay back, it needed to regain its formation with Cabers cannon at the point, Tucker beside the net and Kaberle feeding everyone with mind-blowing passes. Last night the Leafs had all of that, along with a barrage of shots on Martin "Baby food" Gerber. In past games the Leafs were doing far too much passing and not enough shooting, resulting in costly giveaways after the other team caught on.
Wozniewski had another bad night, playing 7 minutes, indirectly causing two giveaways and a penalty where I thought Ottawa would definitely score. Ian White didn't look too hot out there, according to Mr. Bone.
Danno's BIG TIME Players of the Game:
Vesa Toskala earned his #1 goalie status for the Leafs last night with the shutout against the Sens, coming after two straight Raycroft losses. The saves that he was making in the third period were so clutch and it's definitely something the Leafs need to be above .500 and beat teams like the Sens.
Bryan McCabe had a great night offensively and defensively, contributing to all the goals the Leafs scored, the powerplay, and shorthanded. And tonight, surprisingly, he didn't give up the game winner to the other team. I think he should keep that dirty handlebar moustache he's rockin' like I've said before, and maybe we will see the old Caber again.
Upcoming Leaf Game:
The Leafs next game comes Tuesday against the Boston Bruins at the ACC. Catch this game on Sportsnet at 7pm ;). The Leafs should keep an eye out for Tim Thomas' hot goaltending and Zdeno Chara. Let's see if Bell or Gill can beat Chara in a fight.. Not likely. After that the Leafs head West for a pair of games Friday in Dallas, Saturday in Pheonix.
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