Nikhil Daljeet
Fresh off a trade with the Dallas Stars, the Maple Leafs will take their game to the desert, facing the Coyotes in an attempt to win five games in a row . Â The level of optimism in Toronto has been tempered by memories of the last four game win streak in this city. Â While we are currently seeing a hard-working, speedy team with impeccable netminding, it is common knowledge around these parts that any of the above variables is subject to drastic and immediate change. Â The Leafs are looking to stay the course against a formidable Phoenix team that plays a structured two-way game. [more…]
James Reimer and the Maple Leafs venture into San Jose tonight hoping to match the infamous four-game win streak that began this season. Â They probably couldn't have picked a better time to visit the struggling Sharks. Â A perennial contender, San Jose has not yet found their stride this campaign and has recently hit a four-game skid that has seen them shutout twice. Â Toronto fans should be worried by a losing streak that is bound to stop soon for a talented team.
Back-to-back wins, goals aplenty and a red-hot powerplay...doesn't sound like the Leafs does it? Â Toronto kicks off three (late) games in four nights with a 10:30 PM start today in Los Angeles. Â While the Leafs will look to continue their momentum, the Kings are aiming to get back on track after a skid that has seen them lose three of their last four matches. Â James Reimer will get the chance to continue his strong play, starting in net across from Jon Quick.
After a rollercoaster Thursday night, the Leafs will be looking to play a more disciplined road game as they start out on a four-game swing with a visit to Atlanta. Â The days when the Thrashers were a "soft" team are in the past, as the last two years have given rise to a hard-nosed squad that is very willing to throw their (rather large) bodies around. Â This results in a forward group that is tough to get off the puck and strong on the boards. Â However, it also creates a team of eager shot blockers that lead the league in that category. Â Backstopped by a very-capable Pavelec, picking up a win tonight will be a tough task for Toronto.
The Leafs will attempt to fight off the Blues for the only time this season when St. Louis visits the ACC tonight. Â As you have surely read elsewhere, the Blues have had a grand time in the confines of the Air Canada Centre over the last decade, having not lost a game there in almost 13 years. Â St. Louis is looking to build upon a recent surge in play after a successful five-game homestand by victimizing a Toronto team that has lost three of its last four.
The Leafs will be looking to their fresh faces and new identity to bust the curse of the HSBC Arena when they visit Buffalo tonight. Â These hopeful heroes include rookies Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie, both of whom have not been exposed to the high-energy, fast-paced nature of these divisional games. Â Also encompassed in this group is former Sabre Clarke MacArthur. Â MacArthur will be looking to score against his ex-teammate Ryan Miller, who returns tonight to fuel a Buffalo team that is struggling.
The Leafs top six filled out the scoresheet tonight against the Dallas Stars and picked up a convincing win. Â This is no coincidence, as Toronto's success going forward will require many more nights like this from the likes of Grabovski, Kulemin and Versteeg. Â Jonas Gustavsson had another steady night, but was not required to be as spectacular as he was on Saturday largely due to sustained offensive pressure by his forwards.
Toronto played to their strengths with determined forechecking and team speed, only sitting back in the third period once they had opened up a 3-1 lead over the Stars. Â One of the most important outcomes from tonight's game will be an injection of life into Tyler Bozak's game, as the slumping soph netted his first point in over 7 games off a pretty feed from Nazem Kadri. [more…]
The Dallas Stars and (future Leafs center) Brad Richards come into town tonight looking to extend a recent streak of hot play (2-0-1). Despite a respectable record and a potent offense, the Stars sit at the bottom of a very competitive Pacific Division. Meanwhile, Toronto will be eager to bounce back from a blanking at the hands of Carey Price and the Canadiens while regaining the offensive groove that had seen them win their two previous games.
What a difference a two-game winning streak can make. Â After a tidy performance against the New Jersey Devils for a second consecutive victory, there is optimism aplenty amongst both Leafs fans and the players themselves. Â This young Toronto squad is regaining their confidence, and Jonas Gustavsson appears to be progressing steadily along the path of a respectable NHL goaltender . Â They will have a tough test on their hands as they step into the Bell Centre tonight to face a Montreal Canadiens team that has somehow managed to stick around in the conference's upper echelon. Â As always, a Saturday night tilt between Montreal and Toronto promises to be an exciting one.
The Leafs are streaking!  That's right, and not even the losing type either (or the naked Ferrell type—if that's what you were thinking).  Although Toronto only dispatched the lowly Devils (feels weird saying that) this Thursday night, they did so in a relatively efficient and confident manner that bodes well for the near future.  A solid effort by Jonas Gustavsson and an effective powerplay (feels  even weirder saying that) drove the Leafs to their second win in as many games.
The Vancouver Canucks are hoping a visit to the ACC won't do much to halt their recent winning ways. Â Other than a brief speedbump against Montreal on Tuesday, Vancouver has been nearly unstoppable, going 7-2-1 in their last ten games. Â This makes it a tough assignment for the Leafs, who won't have an easy time snapping out of a six-game slide against Roberto Luongo and the Canucks. Â Toronto will be hoping that recent call-ups Nazem Kadri and Keith Aulie inject some life into their slumbering squad. Â Fans will be hoping that management didn't jump the gun with Kadri, putting him in the limelight at the peak (hopefully...) of Toronto's struggles.
Be sure to check out Junior's thoughts from tonight's tilt.
