Shut Out!

The Leafs were on the losing end of a fantastic game last night. The Sabres won 1-0 in what was the most exciting Leafs game since Christmas - maybe the entire year. Both teams applied great forechecking pressure at different points of the game, but were kept at bay by amazing goaltending at both ends.

Again, the Leafs were almost as good as - but not quite equal to - a team that had played the night before. For shame!


Buffalo's goal came as the result of an Anton Stralman giveaway. He fell down while under pressure, managed to get back onto his feet (while being chased by a Sabre), only to flub his outlet pass, resulting in a turn over. I'll not berate Stralman here, because I think he showed real poise by regaining his feet while being chased. The pass was unfortunate, as it looked to have skipped over the blade of his stick. I think Stralman will be a Kaberle-esque d-man in couple of seasons, so he needs some slack while he is learning his trade. Most d-men play much more minor league hockey than has Stralman, and even then, they rarely peak before age 25. Stralman is 21.

Paul Maurice dressed 7 defensemen last night for the third straight game. Last night was both the third game since the Leafs' personal 9/11 - the 8-0 home-ice humiliation at the hands of the lowly Panthers - and the third game since Bryan McCabe's return. It's hard to say which of the two events made Maurice go with the extra d-man, but it seems to be working. The Leafs have only allowed 5 goals in those 3 games - two against Montreal, who own the 4th overall 'Goals For' Average; two against Detroit, with the 2nd ranked GFA; and one against Buffalo, the 5th ranked team

I also have my own theory. I really think the 7 d-men routine has something to do with one of them being dealt. Call me crazy, but I've never known Maurice to dress 7 d-men. Ever. I actually really like the move, because Maurice plays his 4th forward line so little, it only makes sense to remove a player from that line for a d-man. When McCabe came back, however, one of Stralman or White would normally have been watching from a press box. But now, roughly two weeks from the trade deadline (where four Leafs d-men have been involved in trade rumours to some degree) Maurice is playing (showcasing?) all of his d-men. At the very least, it's strange timing. Hopefully, one of the big 3 defense contracts are in the process of being shipped out.

On a related note, Ian White played the least of any Leafs defender, and played more minutes than only one player: the extraordinarily disappointing Kyle Wellwood. I've called out White for poor play several times this year; could coach Maurice finally see what I saw 30 games ago?

Alexei Ponikarovski returned after missing 7 games with a shoulder injury. He looked like he needs some more time off. His box score was more empty than a 50 Cent retirement guarantee. Nobody could convince me this morning that Poni was more effective than Robbie Earl, the man he replaced in the Leafs' lineup. Moreover, Earl should definitely be playing ahead of Kyle Wellwood at this point.

Coupled with the Leafs' loss, a Chicago win last night dropped the Leafs to 28th place overall. 3rd worst. If the season ended today (please, Jeebus, end this season today!) the Leafs would receive a lottery pick for their "effort", and could draft no lower than 4th. More importantly, they'd have a shot at #1.

Speaking of a #1 overall draft pick, here's hoping Andy Raysoft starts tonight against the New York Islanders.

Fletch Quote of the Day:
"My belief is he [Sundin] will only waive his no-trade clause to go to certain teams."
Well, Cliff, since you and Mats met a couple of weeks back to discuss that very thing, I think your belief is probably pretty close to reality. Take that, media men that insist Mats will not waive his NTC! I've said all along that Mats will go elsewhere, assuming he has input as to where. Bones it!

Post Script:
As annoying as he is, I appreciate watching games that feature Pierre McGuire as the colour commentator. A former assistant coach with the Stanley Cup winning Pittsburgh Penguins of the early 90's, McGuire gives more detail in one period than Harry Neale does in a season, or Greg Millen does in a month.

Typical Leafs fans everywhere should listen to Pierre, as he gives intelligent hockey information not available elsewhere. A great example came last night, when McGuire chastised Jiri Tlusty for being out of position on a Hal Gill clearing attempt. Tlusty being out of place meant Buffalo kept the puck in, and Gill took a penalty in trying to bail out his teammate.

With any other colour guy, there'd have been no mention of Tlusty's bad play. Moreover, there would have been a replay (or two) of Gill taking his opponent down, thus making Gill look bad, and increasing Leafs Nation's hate-on for him. In reality, Gill is a steady d-man, and having McGuire at the helm last night kept the negative focus where it belonged - on Tlusty. Neither Neale or Millen would have provided the viewer with that much. It's really too bad that McGuire insists on pulling that bullshit "Monster" gimmick every other shift, as it's damn near too much to bear.

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