Close, but no cigar

The Leafs played a rare Sunday game last night against the Ottawa Senators. When these two teams meet you can almost guarantee a good, fast-paced hockey game. After losing 3-2 the Battle of Ontario is tied 1-1 on the year.
The Leafs opened the scoring on the power play with Clark MacArthur putting the puck past Sens goaltender Lehner. Later in the fist Greening tied the game up on a clear breakaway.
The difference in the game last night was most definitely the special teams. Ottawa is second in the league on the power play and it definitely showed scoring two out of three goals on it.
Gustavsson had another solid game, but is most definitely going to want the third goal, scored by Daugavins, back as he misplayed the shot and tried moving into it.
MacArthur scored his second of the night to get the game within one goal, but despite their best efforts and close calls the Leafs just couldn't beat Lehner to tie it up.

Photo by Jana Chytilova

Overall, this game was very entertaining and fast, but the game showed that the Leafs still need to do some work on their special team in order to remain a contender for the playoffs (I'm not shooting higher then playoffs at this point in time, it's the pessimistic fan in me seeping through).
Next game is Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils at the Prudential Center.

We do the Monster Mash

Tonight the Leafs faced the league leading Penguins, and, WOW, was it ever a game. Got to love those games when there is constant back and forth play, it's fantastic.
Maybe it's because we are nearing all hallows eve but Gustavsson was definitely playing like a monster tonight. He made two HUGE glove saves, the first one in the first period on Sullivan which would have tied the game up, and the second in the third against Kunitz from close up. Both goalies were on their games tonight and it was amazing to watch.
Mister captain, Dion Phaneuf, had a solid game as well. He set up Clark MacArthur's goal by being strong and persistent on the puck, he had two points on the net.
The Kessel train just keeps on rolling with a goal (10) and an assist to stay atop the league in points with 18. Tim Connolly also scored his first as a Maple Leaf, as well as Grabovski.

Photo taken from TSN.ca (Graig Abel/NHLI via Getty Image)

Former captain, Mats Sundin, was in the audience tonight cheering the team on. Earlier today it was announced that some time in February his number will be raised to the rafters to be amongst the Leaf greats.

Next up the Leafs take on the Senators in Ottawa, which is something all Leaf fans look forward to.

In other news...

How 'bout that Jets/Flyers game. 9-8. That is unbelievable, first 15 goal game since the lockout.

Leafs win!

Unfortunately I was unable to watch the first half of the first period due to dishes dutie, so I missed the goal scored on Jonas Gustavsson. But from the way he played for the rest of the game I think he redeemed himself for the soft goal, especially that glove save on Callahan at the end of the period.
The rest of the first was really wonky. The Rangers actually scored 3 goals in that first period, but two were called off because of goalie interference. While I may be slightly biased, I thought the referee's made the right call.
Early in the second Lombardi ties the game up on a pretty weak goal let in by Lundqvist, which isn't normally let in by him.
After the goal Mike Brown and Kris Newbury decide to dance. All that needs to be said about the fight is that Mike Brown is a beast.
Kessel had two breakaway opportunities but Lundqvist shut him down, but that doesn't mean he wasn't effective tonight. The hottest Leaf, and league leader in points assisted on the second goal for the Maple Leafs, which was scored by Lupul in the third.
The game winner came off the stick of MacArthur who looked relieved after finally scoring his first of the season. Mike Brown (who was an assist short of the Gordie Howe hatrick) scored the insurance goal before Del Zotto cut the Leafs lead in half.
Overall I thought it was a solid game by the Leafs. Obviously the Monster would love that first goal back, but he proved himself to us fans the rest of the game.
Leafs improved to 6-2-1 with 13 points and are 1st (I know, right!? Crazy) in their division.
Let's hope they can keep this up back at home on Saturday versus the league leading Pens.

Standard introductory post

Every blog starts off with the standard introductory post, so here it goes.
I'm Melssa, and I'm a journalism student from the University of Toronto with lots of love for hockey, and more specifically the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pretty standard information; on to the hockey!

Tonight the Leafs are facing the 10th place Rangers. Gustavsson is in net tonight for the blue and white again with Reimer still out. Connolly starts his season tonight and Tyler Bozak is set to return to the lineup.

I'll post analysis from the game later tonight!

Go Leafs Go!!