Joey MacDonald
It is their second meeting this year, and the first played a big part on blinding fans for both teams in the belief that each were elite competitors. Since that opening night, the Habs have on 5-7-0, while the Leafs have gone 1-7-2. But there are always upsides, and tonight marks to start to capitalize on those specifics.
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It's a pre-Halloween edition of Stick Work featuring discussions on the road swing, Jiri Tlusty, in .. Victor Stalberg out, along with Joey MacDonald.
Vesa [more…]
... they didn't give up the fight.
Maple Leafs' fans should be very pleased with the effort displayed in last night's 3-1 loss to the Vancouver Canucks. Â Although another loss is disappointing on the surface, there is much to feel good about in regard to the team's play following a week's break. Â It is not often that one can look at a loss as a game to instill confidence; however, last night's game should serve to do exactly that, among both players and fans alike.
After a seemingly endless week of postulating, panicking, and debating with the fervent passion that only hockey-starved Leafs fans can display, it is finally gameday. While the prevalent hope amongst Toronto followers is that the winless streak gets broken tonight, there is a veritable maelstrom of other stories convoluting that one simple wish.
Bad goaltending is now blamed on an injury. The Leafs have called up rookie James Riemer who will be sitting on the bench tonight as Joey MacDonald gets the nod. Vesa Toskala has apparently suffered an undisclosed injury after last night's 7-2 loss (my bet is a fan clubbed him Nancy Kerrigan style) and is now out. Toronto's top two goaltenders (arguably) are now sidelined. Gustavsson is expected to return sometime next week.
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Despite a relatively solid showing in Tuesday night's game against the Senators, Jonas Gustavsson will not get a chance to start again for the near future as he has been placed on injured reserve with a groin injury. [more…]
The Toronto Maple Leafs have sent forwards Jiri Tlusty, Nik Kulemin, and Tyler Bozak, as well as defender Carl Gunnarsson, to the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
These moves leave the team with a 22-man roster, one under the season-opening limit of 23.   That number does not include either of Phil Kessel or Mike Van Ryn, as both will start the season listed as injured non-roster players.
Just a quick update: Joey MacDonald has been placed on waivers with the intention of sending him to the Marlies, meaning that Jonas Gustavsson will in fact, be with the big club to start the season.
Also, Jiri Tlusty, Nikolai Kulemin & Tyler Bozak are not expected to play Thursday versus the Canadiens, according to Ron Wilson. Still no word on who else is going to down to the minors.
The Maple Leafs continued their shaping of the NHL roster with another four cuts on Sunday. Top prospect Nazem Kadri will be going back to the OHL's London Knights, Jonas Frogren and Christian Hanson will report to the Toronto Marlies, and Andy Rogers has been released. By my count, that leaves 30 players left (including Kessel who will be placed on the long-term injured reserve), meaning there will be another 6 cuts in the near future. [more…]
Jonas Gustavsson will make his much anticipated debut for the Maple Leafs in tonight's preseason tilt against Detroit. Coach Ron Wilson has indicated that he will be in there for at least the first period, but that the staff wants to break him in slowly. If Toronto does not get barraged in the first twenty minutes as they have in recent exhibition matches, the Monster's tenure may stretch to a period and a half.
Ed. Note: Meet Daniel Santos, the newest member of the MLHS blogging team. Daniel serves as the Editorial Coordinator for The Score, and formerly blogged about the Maple Leafs for The Score's "Six Pack." Welcome, Dan.
Well, the comeback kids couldn't do it tonight. Unlike last night against Pittsburgh, The Leafs couldn't overcome a slow start tonight and fell 3-2 to the Buffalo Sabres.
The following are the team lineups as per MapleLeafs.com. It does feature the kid line of Bozak, Stalberg and Hanson, but they are separated. Curious if that will remain the same for tonight's affair in order to see what they can all do with other players.
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