In any event, the Leafs lost to the Hurricanes last night, 3-2 in overtime. It was a sunuvabitch of a game for the Leafs...again. Not only did they lose, but they probably should have won...and they lost a couple more regulars. The Canes scored on a questionable high stick; the Leafs had a probable goal called back; a Canes player covered the puck in the crease (probably should have been a penalty shot); and Nik Antropov's penalty was iffy at best. Blaming the referees is a job I'll leave for typical Leafs fans, but I will say this: the circumstances last night were a real gypsy*.
(*Warning! The picture on the other end of the jump looks a lot like Tony Danza, a little like Detective Lenny Briscoe, and nothing like a woman. Ughhh)
Rock N' Roll Johnny Pohl looks to be out at least a week with a fairly serious - and grimace inducing - knee injury.
The loss of players is a potential disaster for Paul Maurice. Paul has never been fond of playing his 4th line. Last night, 5 of 12 Leafs forwards played under 10 minutes. The result was that the other 7 played huge minutes. Add to the mix two more players out - one of which the Leafs' leader in icetime among forwards - and Paul will either have to trust his depth players, or play the likes of Darcy Tucker and Matt Stajan 35 minutes a game. Please, Paul, use your 4th line more. After all, the season is lost and you can use the opportunity as a try-out for the young'uns.
Random Game Notes:
- I give Matty Stajan alotta shit, so here are some props: 23:32 played, 67% faceoff win percentage (several of those against Rod Brind'Amour, the best in the business), first line powerplay and first line penalty kill. Boner!
- Mats Sundin met with new GM Cliff Fletcher this week to discuss some bidniss. What they talked about, how the meeting went, and where they will go from here they aren't saying. The fucks. But at least they talked. The smart money is on Fletch convincing Sundin to waive his no-trade clause assuming Mats short-lists a few teams he is willing to go to. That's the most logical outcome, says me. I can't fathom a reason why JFJ was fired if Mats had made it perfectly clear he will unequivocally not accept a trade. Cliff Fletcher is a wheeler and a dealer. He was brought on to make some tough choices for the team - choices that MLSE didn't think JFJ could make. Trading Sundin is the biggest, and most important choice of them all. I believe Mats has made it clear that he is willing to go elsewhere, assuming he has a say as to where.
...his sister is still the #4 prostitute in all of Kazakhstan
Nik Antropov has been suspended three games for his temper tantrum after Rod Brind'Amour's overtime game-winning goal. Antropov was in the penalty box (for what he considered a questionable penalty) when Rod scored and let the referees have it upon his release. He even chucked his stick in their direction, a huge no-no in hockey. I wouldn't say this about many other players, but Nik gets a free pass from The Blue & White on this one.
Nik has been with the team for a long time, and he was picked on by media and fans alike for 7 of his 8 seasons with the team. This season, his play has improved, but the recognition he receives for his play has dramatically improved. With that came a newfound confidence as well as a fire inside. By that, I mean that Nik now holds himself more accountable for his play. When before he was beaten down by the constant, Larry Murphy-esque treatment he got in Toronto, this year he has been showing a drive to win, and showing his frustrations when the team doesn't.
So I say let the man show some emotion. He didn't for so long in Toronto, I was beginning to wonder if he had any in there.
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