Home Cooking

The Leafs are playing well at home.

Read that again. Now remember, we are talking about the Toronto Maple Leafs here. For the last few years, they have struggled on home ice for whatever reason. My hypothesis? The Leafs just like the food on the road better.

One player who I have really liked is Jason Blake. Yes, his contract is still obstructive and obviously too large, but if Blake was getting $2 million per year, he would be a very good deal for any team. He has consistently brought a high level of energy to each game, and I like the way he has been driving towards the net more instead of going around it.

I think Luke Schenn is going to be sitting for a little while. Exelby and Finger have actually been a very steady pairing for the Leafs over the last two games, and if they continue to play well, Schenn might be better served by playing for a few weeks with the Marlies. I actually want to see him back in the line-up, but maybe a stint with the AHL affiliate will allow him to get more ice time and improve.

Anyways, with this latest "surge" underway, the Leafs play the suprising Phoenix Coyotes. The Coyotes have 7 more wins and 9 more points then Toronto, and would be in 5th place above the Bruins if they were in the Eastern Conference. Also, the Coyotes have a 5-4 record against the Eastern Conference this year.

I like seeing the Coyotes doing well. After all of the talk of moving and the team being sold, it is good to see them pushing towards the playoffs.

I like the Leafs chances against this team, however. The Coyotes do have one of the hottest goaltenders in the league right now in Ilya Bryzgalov, but I don't think anyone outside of Shane Doan scares our defence. With the way they are playing right now, I think Francois Beauchemin and Ian White will be able to perform and shut down the top line of the Coyotes. The real question is if the Leafs can score on Ilya Bryzgalov enough to win. With Phil Kessel and Niklas Hagman still rolling, the Leafs have two strong lines to throw at Phoenix and hopefully, get some quality scoring chances.

As long as the Leafs can continue their current trend of playing disciplined hockey, I think they have a great chance of continuing to streak forward and up the standings.

A pleasant surprise!

In my last post, I mentioned the Leafs home woes and their tendency to suffer a let down after a big win. Tonight, they proved me wrong on both accounts by playing a strong game on home ice against the New York Islanders.

What can I say? Luke Schenn is starting to look more comfortable again. He made one turnover that led to a penalty, but he also flattened Jon Sim and was otherwise a solid player for the Leafs. I know the coaches are trying to get him to produce offensively, but I think they should make sure he is rock solid in his own end. He looked that way last season at times.

Jason Blake is finally being rewarded (ignoring his big contract of course) for his hard work. The game winning goal tonight is suitable prize for a player who seems to give 100% every game. Except on the first goal of the game by the Leafs, I think the second powerplay unit looked more fluid and had better control. I think this is, in part, because of Jason Blake and his play along the boards.

Beauchemin scored. When I was at the game on Monday, I could see just how hard he can shoot. He truly possesses a rocket.

Finally, Vesa Toskala was the man tonight. Even though he allowed two goals in the third, he also won Toronto the game in the third period when he was bombarded with quality chances. His post to post save on Okposo was beautiful and, I hope, is a sign that he is rounding back into his form from two seasons ago.

The Leafs did what they need to do from now on - win in regulation. If they can beat Boston tomorrow, they will inch closer and closer to a playoff position. After the weekend's massacre, I would normally say that the Leafs will struggle. I think the Leafs will take the momentum from tonight and from Monday and carry it over into tomorrows contest.

Game 1

Steve says:

Game one wasn't terrible.
Lets start with the positives for a change.
Our first line of Blake / Stajan / Stalberg was great. Every time they were on the ice, they were a threat...now they just need to turn some of that threat into finish (Stajan got 2 though which was nice for him).

Our other 3 lines played an average game. I was impressed with the defensive back checking of newcomer Wallin. Rosehill had a good bought. Kaberle was awesome...so controlled with the puck...glad we still have him around.

Toskala played a typical Toskala game from last season. He looked decent at times, and way out of position at others. He made some big saves, but also let in a weak goal. All in all it was a typical Toskala game...and that wont be good enough going down the stretch. With The Monster itching to get between the pipes, Vesa will surely have to pick it up.

And now the real negative part of last night's game. The D.
With all the hype around this new D that Burke has brought in, great things were expected, but in now way were great things delivered. Komisarek took way too many penalties (in the box for 2 of the goals against). Beauchemin was often caught pinching way too deep, and was out hustled getting back to our zone. White was...well...he looked like White from 2 seasons ago. Out of place, coughed up the puck, chasing the forwards into the corners leaving the front WIDE OOOOPPPEEENN! Schenn looked nervous and unsure of himself. Too many times I saw both D men together with the puck (see the pic)...why aren't they playing their positions???

It's only 1 game and we did walk away with a point, but without some great work by Price, I think we could have had both points even with all the bad D play.

And that's why I am still happy about the game...We will get better on D...but the Habs will still be short...
ha ha ha

(like I'm one to talk)

Leafs beat Brodeur 6-5

Steve says:

Considering that this is the 2nd game in as many nights, I'd say this game was won due to the coaching of Wilson. He recognized that not all of our guys had legs for the whole night and he played the 4th line more than usual to make up for it and let his 1st line rest a bit more...the result was some great hard fore checking that led to a lot of scoring chances.I wasn't surprised that we looked a bit slow at times, but for the most part, Brodeur kept the Devils in this game. There were at least 5 times that Marty pulled out some magic tonight including one save where he snagged it with his blocker hand as the puck headed towards the goal line.Stajan and Moore had incredibly good games, and again, Schenn played a solid D game. The penalty at the end was bad luck. The reason we looked slow in the OT was because we were on the PK, and it took them a bit of time to get out of that mode.Great game...thanks for the win on my B-day boys!

Win #2 ! 4-2 vs. Boston

Steve says:

That was a really good game for our guys...there were some big hits, and we stood up for ourselves. We won puck battles in the corners and best of all, we didn't give up after being down 2-0.

No Blake in the lineup didn't stop us from having a lot of shots on net, but this time some of them went in...

Toskala got his 100th win which is cool.

Van Ryn got his first goal as a Leaf.

Hagman played another solid game.

Schenn was pretty solid for the most part. He took a couple of penalties standing up for teammates which I am totally OK with and he was cool and collected on the PK. Great future for this kid...and it looks like he'll stay up with the big club for the duration.

Is Schenn in?

found this in an article by Mike ulmer on mapleleafs.com today...

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app/?servic...rticleid=384203

Unless he completely regresses, Luke Schenn seems sure to make the Leafs. The Leafs are sure to carry Pavel Kubina, Jonas Frogren, Tomas Kaberle, Anton Stralman and Jeff Finger. That likely leaves two or three sports for competition between Carlo Colaiacovo, Ian White (ugh), Mike Van Ryn and Staffan Kronwall.

Chris says:

Don't believe everything you read. It would be better for the Leafs over the long hall if they sent this guy down for a little seasoning.