Just as the Leafs appeared to hit rock bottom, they've now won three straight and earned 7 of the last 8 possible points after beating Nashville tonight.I don't fucking get it.
Two weeks ago, the Leafs would have lost a game to the last place team from a vegetarian league. Now, they can't be stopped. Don't get me wrong - I love watching the Leafs win, but this winning streak after the pathetic display they'd just shown defies all logic. Rather than try to figure it out, I'll grab myself another Schlitz. I had a Scarborough Suitcase during the game, so forgive me if I'm off tonight.
So, this is what I noticed about the game when my eyes were temporarily able to focus on the TV.
- Bryan McCabe is playing too much. Over 30 minutes again tonight. It's either that Paul Maurice is showcasing him for trade, or overcompensating for the public lashing out at him weeks ago. There is no excuse for him to play more than Tomas Kaberle (as he does...consistently). Well, unless Kaberle dies or sumthin. And even then, it's a toss-up.
- The Leafs' powerplay in the second period - when Radek Bonk was in the box for Claude Lemieuxing Staffan Kronwall - was disgusting. No offensive pressure. A clumsy attack. No cohesiveness. They looked even strength at best. There is about 10 million dollars in salary manning the point during Leafs powerplays; wasn't the man advantage supposed to be a strong point?
- Vesa Toskala looked pretty fantastic tonight. Did you fucking see those saves against Jason Arnott? To those that believe Andrew Raycroft should still be #1 in Toronto - you ignorant ditch diggers - believe this: Jason Arnott would have scored tonight if #1 was #1.
- Alex Steen. Bag O' Shit. That pretty well sums up his game.In the first minute of the third period, he missed a net more wide open than your mom backstage at a Motley Crue concert. Then, he was directly responsible for Nashville's only goal of the night. When Vesa Toskala cleared the puck around the boards to him, he totally fucking missed it - under no pressure at all, mind you - and Shea Weber put the puck on goal with perfect results. Alex, that was practically impossible to fuck up - how'd you manage?
Greg Millen The Good: On Mats Sundin's record threatening 16th straight home game with a point, "In a hockey market this big, I am very surprised how unnoticed this streak by Sundin has gone." Touché. All the media this team gets and this streak gets no play. For shame! It should noted, I guess, that The Blue & White hasn't mentioned it either. There are too many bad Damien Cox articles to take the piss out of I suppose.
Millen The Bad: On Bryan McCabe's huge playing time lately, "30 minutes again, he's been great." What the christ? What Bryan McCabe have you been watching, Greg? Since McCabe's playing time has increased , he's been making fewer mistakes, sure, but that does not mean he's been great, and it also does not mean he's earning his contract. It really only means that he's been less shitty. I hope that's not what's passing for great in Toronto.
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