Is it time for "The Monster"?

The questions surrounding Vesa Toskala and the Leafs goaltending situation were not answered on Saturday night when the Capitals scored 6 and dominated for most of the game. The play of the defence was pourous and terrible. Once again, Mike Komisarek continued to make a home in the penalty box while Francois Beauchimen looked out of place. It wasn't the terrible play of the defence that set the tone early in the game, however.

The goal by Alex Ovechkin scored just 77 seconds into the contest set the tone for the entire game and deflated a Leafs team that entered the game looking to make up for a dissapointing loss in Game 1. All of the blame for this goal falls at the feet of Vesa Toskala. Yes, Ovechkin is the best scorer in the league. However, the wrist shot he took from 40 feet out was not a difficult save. Toskala let in 3 goals in the first period and was pulled from the game.

Gustavvson did not look amazing, but looked better then Toskala on Saturday night. With a date with the Senators set for tomorrow night, the question is this - Is it time for "The Monster" to make his first NHL start?

I think now is the time to give Gustavvson a start. If everything goes well, Gustavvson will put in a good performance and help the team pick up two points. I also think it could help Toskala to show him that he is replaceable. If Gustavvson does not perform, then Toskala gets another shot in the crease.

It doesn't really matter who starts in goal, though, if the Leafs defence does not get their act together.

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)

Old Habits Die Hard.

Coming into tonight's game, the Leafs were looking to their newly remodelled defence to help the penalty kill and improve from last season. They were looking for some toughness and some solid play from the goaltender.

However, not everything went as desired. Mike Komisarek spent 15 minutes in the box and was sitting on his butt when the Canadiens scored the first goal and the late tying goal in the third period. Komisarek was brought in to help the penalty kill, but it is hard to have him helping out when he is the one in the penalty box. Francois Beauchimen looked too eager to jump into the rush and was constantly out of position, leaving his defensive partner Luke Schenn out to dry on many occasions. In the early parts of the game, the Leafs showed a bit of a mean streak with some big hits and fights from Colton Orr and Jay Rosehill. As the game progressed, however, Montreal began to outmuscle the Leafs.

In goal, Vesa Toskala was not great, but he was not helped by the play of his defence in front of him.

Were the new Leafs a little too eager or excited? Hopefully that is the reason why they were repeatedly out of position and why the Leafs blew a late 3-2 lead and wound up giving Montreal the extra point in overtime.

Some positives do come from the 4-3 OT loss. The Leafs powerplay looked good with Stajan scoring twice. In fact, the line of Blake-Stajan-Stalberg were creating scoring chances throughout the game. Tomas Kaberle looked like his fantastic self, making a great play on Stajan's first goal. Another positive is that the Leafs outshot Montreal by a wide margin. Carey Price put in a great performance and likely saved the game for his team. The Leafs had long periods of possession in Montreal's zone, and if they can continue to pressure the opposing team like that they will definitly win more then they lose.

Overall, this is a tough loss to swallow. The next game for the Leafs comes this Saturday against the Washington Capitals, who were powered by 2 goals from Ovechkin in a 4-1 win over the Bruins.

Wilson Names Three Captains, Line-up For Opening Day...

It's opening night for the Toronto Maple Leafs! I'm really excited for the beginning of a new campaign and I really hope our team can show some improvement over last season.

According to Sportsnet.ca, Ron Wilson has decided to go with three associate captains this season. Wearing the "A" will be Tomas Kaberle, Mike Komisarek and Francois Beauchimen. Wilson will name a captain later in the season when he sees someone step up and assume the role of leader for the team.

I like the idea of waiting to name a leader. Right now, there are a lot of new faces. Hopefully, someone will step up and take the "C". Last year, the Leafs remained without a captain throughout the whole season. This year, someone will wear the badge.

The lines for tonights games look like this:

Forwards:

Stalberg Stajan Blake

Ponikarovsky Grabovski Hagman

Wallin Mitchell Stempniak

Rosehill Primeau Orr

Defence:

Beauchimen-Schenn

Kaberle-Komisarek

White -Exelby

Goaltender

Toskala
Gustavsson

These lines were also taken from Sportsnet.ca. Toskala starting in goal has caused some concern among Leafs fans, but it is the right move. He is the veteran and deserves a chance to prove himself. It is a long season, and Gustavsson will get an opportunity to prove himself. If Toskala can perform like he did in his first season with the Maple Leafs, then it will be a great season for the Blue and White.

So Long, Mats!

Mats Sundin ended his 18 season career season quietly in Sweden. With that, one of the greatest players to ever play for the Toronto Maple Leafs and one of the best from Sweden left the game of hockey.

Sundin accomplished many milestones during his career. He was the first European born player to be drafted first overall in the draft and went on to prove himself worthy of that pick over his career. Sundin was the first Swedish player to score 500 goals in the NHL and is tied for the lead in overtime goals. His 564 goals ranks 20th overall in the NHL. Mats also captained Team Sweden to a gold medal in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino.

Personally, Mats Sundin is still my favourite player of all time. He was a great leader for the Maple Leafs, setting franchise records in goals and points. He led the team deep into the playoffs, and he gave us plenty of exciting moments while with the team. His time spent with Vancouver last season hurt some fans, but I believe he is one of the best Leafs ever and deserves a spot in the rafters of the Air Canada Centre.

For me, I will always remember watching Mats score his 500th goal against the Flames, finishing off a hat-trick in overtime while shorthanded. I believe Mats will be in the Hockey Hall Of Fame and I hope he is remembered by all Leafs fans for the years of entertainment he gave us.

So long, Mats!

The Monster Has Arrived!

After watching tonight's preseason game, it is easy to see why Jonas Gustavsson is nicknamed "The Monster". In twenty minutes of work Friday night in Detroit, Jonas looked solid. Tonight, with two periods of work, Gustavsson looked excellent. He was very aggressive when challenging the shooter and made a terrific cross crease save to rob the Red Wings on a two on one scoring chance. The fans in the ACC gave him a standing ovation for his effort.

"The Monster" is able to use his 6'3 frame to block a large portion of the net off. When he comes out of his crease to challenge a shooter, there is very little net for the shooter to work with. He is also an incredible athlete, as seen in his acrobatic cross crease save.

Vesa Toskala continues to look better then he did last year, but a weak goal tonight against him makes it look like he may be challenged by Gustavsson this season. It happened all throughout last season for Toskala, with weak goals getting past him and taking the wind out of the sails for the rest of the team.

Another stand out tonight was, once again, Viktor Stalberg. He has impressed everybody with his speed and offensive ability this preseason and could make the team after scoring his 5th goal so far.

Gustavsson's big save.

My Thoughts And Predictions...

Next Thursday, the Leafs begin the 2009/10 season with a new line-up against an old rival in the Montreal Canadiens. With all the changes to the roster, fans of the Leafs from all around once again look hopefully into the future. We all hope for a miracle season with the Leafs making the playoffs then grinding through the playoffs, finally grabbing the Cup and breaking the long, long, long, long drought.

Is this version of the blue and white an improvement over the teams from the last three seasons? Brian Burke came into the organization midway through the 2008/09 campaign, but did not put his stamp on the club until the off-season. It started with the signings of college players like Christian Hanson and the talented Tyler Bozak, and continued at the draft where Burke added skill with the first pick and toughness with the rest. With free agency came true change. Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and Garnett Exelby add a new level of toughness and grit to the defence while Colton Orr is the true heavyweight the Leafs have missed since trading away Wade Belak. "The Monster" was also brought into the organization, giving us a goaltender who should be able to push Vesa Toskala and provide us with depth in goal.

With the recent addition of Phil Kessel (out until mid-November after shoulder surgery) to the forward corp, the Leafs have a little bit of firepower to go along with the fire added during the summer. Are these Leafs better then those of years past?

I think that the Leafs will be a harder team to play against. I also think that with Komisarek and Beauchemin added to a group that includes Luke Schenn and Jeff Finger, the penalty kill should be much improved. In goal, a healthy Vesa Toskala has looked quicker and more flexible in the preseason and should play better then he did last year. Up front, the Leafs lost some offensive punch when they traded away Nik Antropov at the trade deadline, but the addition of Phil Kessel and improvements from Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin should have the Leafs in the middle of the pack. If given a chance, I think the three young college players (Bozak, Hanson and Viktor Stalberg) that have looked great in preseason play could also have an impact by adding an element of speed that the Leafs have lacked.

If Toskala is healthy now, I think the Leafs have improved enough to have a good chance at 5th to 8th in the Eastern Conference. Boston didn't improve (although they are the best team in the division), Montreal shook things up and could go either way, Buffalo didn't improve and Ottawa is full of question marks between the pipes and on the blue line.

I am excited for this season. I really believe this team has improved and should be much better then the team that played last year. I can't wait for the opener on Thursday! GO LEAFS GO!