Why can't we beat Boston?

Is it a psychological thing? Do they just play exceptionally well against us? Do we just suck against them? I really wish we could get an answer.
Usually it's the fact that Tim Thomas plays like a monster in games against the Leafs, but tonight the Leafs were able to put 3 by him. They just could stop the Bruins from outscoring them 6-3.
Leafs scorers were Lupul, Frattin (from a terrible angle), and Grabo.

Photo by Graig Abel

We play Boston again on Saturday, I'm hoping for a win, as are all of you.
GO LEAFS GO!


PS I'm in crunch time at school right now, so my posts will be short and sweet (sometimes sour), but I promise I will continue making legitimate posts as soon as all of my assignments are in!

Bozak attacks the not so Mighty Ducks

Sorry that this post is a little delayed, but I was studying for a test. Oh the joys of university. But I did watch the game, and what a good game it was.
Even though we gave up the first goal tonight the way the Leafs were playing I had no doubt in my mind that they would come back and tie it up. I, on the other hand, did not realize they would take the lead so shortly after. Bozak scored on the power play on a pretty little passing play to tie the game up, and just 19 seconds later Mr. MacArthur put the Leafs up one with a glorious shot. You can hardly see the puck, it's a beauty.

Photo by Jeff Gross

Speaking of Bozak, he had two goals this game. That is his second 2 goal game of this road trip and, I believe, his tenth point in as many games. He has really stepped up playing on the first line, the chemistry between him, Kessel, and Lupul is just clicking right now and it's beautiful.
Luke Schenn has also totally turned his game around and has been solid for the past two games. He was awarded tonight with an empty net goal from the other side of the ice, he also had a point on the Joey Crabb goal. Crabb has also been great with three goals in three games.

Photo by Debora Robinson

Gustavsson is great too. I feel like I'm repeating myself with him. He's been consistent, solid, and just plain good. He has definitely got his groove back. "How Jonas Got His Groove Back", I'd watch it.
Leafs have a bit of a break before they have a home and home against the Boston Bruins. I think these next two games will be big ones because we need to prove that we can beat them, which I beleaf we can.

Photo by Debora Robinson

GO LEAFS GO!

Fun times in Dallas

We wiiinn!!! Hooray!
Schenn had a kick as game tonight, now THAT is more like the Schenn we all know and love. I think all of Leafs Nation called Lupul getting the winner, even if it was in the shoot out, after that horrid none call on the high stick, I still don't understand what was happening in that refs head at that point in time. Phaneuf and Gardiner also had really good games.

Photo by Glenn James

The Monster was solid again that last save in the shoot out was a close one, but a dandy nonetheless. I think he's finally starting to get comfortable in net again, he's making the big time saves and keeping the Leafs in it. I greatly enjoy this.
I also like that we are getting scoring from a more diverse group of people now and not just that first line, it's jolly good fun.
We did a bit too much running around in our own end, led to the tying goal in the third, but other than that I thought it was a well played game.

Photo by Glenn James

Steckel and Gunnarsson left the game early with injuries, hopefully they aren't too serious
No game tomorrow, I really dislike when there are no games on Saturdays..my days feel incomplete. We play the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday at 9pm.
Ciao for nowww.

Deja vu? Who cares!

There were quite a few parallels between this game and the game against the Washington Capitols. The first and most obvious of them being the score, 7-1. Holla.
Gustavsson was in net for this one as well and made a plethora of great saves. He was in position all night and was there when the team needed him. He has a 6-4 record, and for a backup goalie this isn't a bad stat at all.

Photo by Scott Audette

Another parallel between these two games is the scoring of a first ever NHL goal. Tonight it was Joe Colborne who scored the first of his career. Frattin, who had his first career goal against the Caps Saturday night had a solid game with two great plays that led to goals.

Photo by Scott Audette

The two games also featured two early first period goals to put the Buds up by one, tonight's goal from MacArthur coming back from injury. They both also had the opposing teams scoring to tie the game up before the Leafs took control.
The first line of Lupul, Kessel, and Bozak had a fantastic night with a collective 5 points, three from Tyler Bozak who put on a VERY impressive show tonight. Tim Connolly also had a kick ass game with a goal and 2 assists.

Photo by Al Messerschmidt

The game overall was solid. It was great to watch the Leafs look so dominant from start to finish. Power play was good scoring on 2 of the four opportunities, and the penalty kill was effective only allowing one goal on eight penalties.
There is probably more to say, but I'm going to end this simply by saying it was a great game for the Leafs.

Photo by Scott Audette

Leafs have a bit of a break before they take on the Dallas Stars on Friday.
No Saturday game this week, I don't like that.
Go Leafs Go!

PS Saw the clip of Hal Gill saying that Crosby 'poops rainbows'. Haven't laughed so hard in a very long time.

Not Toronto Maple Leaf Related but still bloody important

SIDNEY CROSBY IS COMING BACKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome back good sir, you have been missed.

The Kessel train just keeps on rolling

I didn't watch the full game, but it makes me feel better that the Leafs didn't play the full game either. They showed up in the third. It seems like a regular thing for the leafs to suddenly come alive in the third period to try and win the game. Sure, sometimes it will work out for you, but other (most) times it will bite you in the ass.
The first two periods almost looked like a practice for the Hurricanes. The Leafs weren't fore checking, weren't shooting, weren't pressuring the other team. It was pretty pitiful. Ben Scivens was in net for this one and the loss definitely cannot be attributed to him. He played well and actually kept his team in the game, it was the defensive play of the team that let the rookie goalie down.

Photo by Gregg Forwerck

Kessel must be performing some sort of sorcery this year. He scored both the Leaf goals bringing his magic totals up to 16 goals and 29 points, he seems to be the light at the end of this November stretch. He's always been a streaky player, but this season seems different. Hopefully he can keep it up.

Photo by Gregg Forwerck

Next up the Leafs take on the Tampa  Bay Lightning on Tuesday, so go Leafs go until then.
PS I realllyy dislike 5:00 games

All around good night

I doubt this just pertains to me but, I always feeling so much happier after a Leaf victory. Especially when it is a 7-1 victory over the Washington Capitals, in which Ovechkin didn't get any points and Joffery Lupul got 4 (1 goal and 3 assists). Because of all the injuries the Leafs called up Joe Colborne from the Marlies.
Tonight was also a night of firsts. Both Matt Frattin and Cody Franson scored their first goals; Franson with his first as a Maple Leaf and Frattin his first ever NHL goal. So a huge congrats to the two.

Photo by Graig Abel

Tonight's game, though, was definitely the outcome of the solid play from Gustavsson and Lupul. Lupul had a huge four point night and Gustavsson was solid in net despite an early goal. Makes you wonder why the Leafs stuck with Scrivens instead of putting the Monster in net.

Photo by Graig Abel

Kessel is still playing like a beast. He had a goal and an assist tonight bringing his point total to 27 and his goals to 14, still numero uno in the league. Hey Ovechkin, remember that time Kessel was picked last at the Allstar game and you laughed at him? Karma's a bitch isn't it?
Bozak also scored tonight, which is like a top line hattie, the first line combined for 8 points tonight. David Steckel had the final goal on the night, a breakaway against his former team, quite Stecksy if you as me.

Photo by Abelimages

Special teams tonight were ballin', the crowd was ballin', the whole game was pretty much ballin' and one can hope that tomorrows game against Carolina will also be ballin' (overuse of the word 'ballin'', I know, but I am not sorry because I love saying it).

Photo by Abelimages

Just realized now how late I am publishing this blog post. I should really try to get these in earlier.
Will be back tomorrow with coverage of the game, til then I bid you adieu and a hearty 'go leafs go' cry.

The injury plague has hit Toronto

I feel like this is just a recording but: once again I was unable to watch the first two periods of the game due to family things and an assignment. So really all I want to say is:
Why?
Why do the hockey gods tend to punish us? Is it possible to play one full season without all the injuries? I feel like November would be having many different outcomes if we weren't constantly having issues; first with Reimer and Armstrong, and now with Grabovski, MacArthur, Komisarek AND Lombardi. I mean come on! We cannot catch a break here, and we never have because this seems to always happen to the Leafs for some strange reason.
Well, with that off my back I'm just going to end the post because I'm feeling a bit depressed over this. Four players in two games, I can't believe this.
We play the Capitols on Saturday, let's hope for some good news, non?

It's not over until it's over

This game honestly started out like [feces] (see what I did there, punny). Coyotes get two early goals and just like that the Leafs are down 2-0. They were playing sloppy, and it was just an all around mess. I will be the first to admit that I had little hope when that happened.
But this is why I love hockey so frikken much. Despite the Leafs lacklustre start to the game, they improved throughout the game until we saw that spark they had at the beginning of the season. Most of the third period was absolutely brilliant. We scored our two goals - the first from Komisarek (I wasn't expecting that either, believe me) and the second from none other than Phil 'the thrill' Kessel on the power play. After those two goals the game was on a whole other level. Overtime was even better, it really helped show why I love four on four hockey so damn much.

Photo by Graig Abel

Though Scrivens had a bit of a shaky start he turned up HUGE later with multiple glove saves in OT. Despite the loss in the shoot out (worst way to end a great game, but that's just my humble opinion) the Leafs proved that even though they are the second youngest team in the league they have the character, and the ability to come back and take charge of a game, which is a pretty important thing if you ask me.

Photo by Graig Abel

Kessel was a beast all night. If it wasn't for Mike Smith being on his game the outcome could have definitely been different. Kessel still leads the league in goals (13) and in points (25) which is so beyond awesome.
It's a weird feeling when you are still satisfied over a game even though you lost, but with an ending like this one it's hard not to feel a bit of happiness over the Leafs ability to come back.
November has not been a kind month for us so far, let's hope the second half is much better.
Next up the Leafs head over to Nashville to take on the Predators, fingers crossed that the end of this game will carry over to that one.
Side note: Both Clarke MacArthur(upper body) and Mikhail Grabovski (lower body, leg I think) left the game early with injuries

It seems I spoke to soon...

I feel like the worst fan ever. I only watched this game in the background, I was writing an article about a hockey game I covered today and I had a deadline to adhere to. But from what I did see, pretty much the end of the game, WHAT THE HECK HAPPENED! Not one, but TWO empty netters? What is this? I don't fully comprehend. Also, why is it that we don't seem to be covering middle ice. This is the third or fourth time a player from the opposite team has gotten through our defense by going right between them up the middle. That is completely unacceptable, one time is understandable, but when it continuously happens, no way. That needs some fixing.
Anywho, Bozie and Lupul scored for us and the Kessel train continues with another assist tonight: 24 points.

Photo by Bruce Bennett

Would post more tonight, but I'm falling asleep at my laptop..I promise my next post will be much better.

Next up the Leafs play the Coyotes on Tuesday at the ACC. 

I still beleaf.

The Leafs? Scored two power play goals? Whaa?!

Firstly, I need to apologize again for not watching the game in its entirety I have a test tomorrow and have been studying all night. School, always getting in the way of everything, psh. Alright, now on to the fun stuff:

 THE LEAFS SCORED ON THE POWER PLAY!! No wait, correction: THE LEAFS SCORED TWO GOALS ON THE POWER PLAY! After having gone 10 opportunities without one you sort of forget what that's like. Quite glorious, really. 

Despite the win, this game was in no way perfect. The penalty wasn't horrible going 1-6 on the night and the power play (finally) did something scoring twice in 4 chances. But it has to be said, Scrivens kept the team in this game. He was pretty solid all game and made a BEAUTY save on Alex Steen in the third. Super pretty. 

The Blues tied the game up with just over a minute left to play in the game. The Leafs completely broke down and just could not get that puck out of their zone. 

Photo by Dilip Vishwanat

In the shootout Scrivens saved all three of the Blues chances while Phil Kessel beat Halak to give us the win. 

Lupul had a killer game tonight, Liles scored the opening goal, and Kessel scored again bringing his grand total to 12 goals and 23 points, still enough to lead the league. 

The Leafs play Ottawa on Saturday, it'll be a good one. It always is. 

Again, sorry for this being so brief but I still have a LOT of studying to do.

GO LEAFS GO!

Just keep calm and keep beleafing.

So tonight's game is the second of two in which the Leafs struggled. But, it's only been two games, so let's all take a chill pill and relax. We must believe that we will get over this current slump we are in, we've done it in the past with much worse teams, and MUCH worse slumps.
That being said the team really needs to step it up, the goalies can only do so much. Sure, a goalie needs to have the ability to save the game, but they need help too, like a goal every once in a while. Up until Kessel (bless his soul) scored in the third the Leafs had gone six periods without a goal. SIX. That's two whole games if you think about it that way. Fortunately, the penalty kill is improving, but the power play still needs work. They need to find that drive they had, that extra jump in their step. We all know it's there, we all saw it, we just need to keep on keeping on and not lose faith. We are Leaf fans after all, if anyone knows how to not lose faith in a team it's us. Let's also hope Reimer is ready to play soon. They team seems to play with more confidence when it's him between the pipes.

Photo by Brad White

Leafs take on the Blues in St. Louis on Thursday. Let's hope they can pick up where they left off before these two games.

Let's just forget this game ever happened.

I, fortunately, did not witness this game due to a family function. But I think I can still sum it up in one picture:

Image from Google images

And that's in the least vulgar way possible.

We all must remember that this is just one game, and our first loss in regulation at home. Let's just take a breather and prepare for the games ahead.

We need to figure out a way to beat Boston.

Next up are the Panthers on Tuesday, I'm praying it looks nothing like tonight's game.

The rookie's alright

Tonight was a big night for Leafs goaltender Ben Scrivens; it was his first NHL game. They must be putting something in the water at Marlies practices because he (along with fellow call up Joey Crabb) played amazingly. Only letting in one goal is something to be proud of in your début. 

As mentioned before Joey Crabb is also lighting up the NHL with two goals in two games. He looks like he belongs here; making plays and scoring them goals. I think it might be a while before he goes back down. 

It was a pretty uneventful game, I thought (little secret: I did change the channel to Doctor Who (yes, I'm a nerd) during commercials and missed a bit of the game because I forgot to turn back).  The Leafs seemed pretty dominant throughout, minus a few mishaps in their own zone here and there, but Scrivens was there to make sure the puck didn't hit the back of the net. He kept the Leafs in it when they needed him to. 

The recently hot MacArthur had two goals on the night (including the game winner) and defenceman Liles had his first as a Maple Leafs to bring the total to four. Ryan Johansen scored in the second to make the game 4-1.

Photo by John Grieshop

And some super duper amazing news: THE LEAFS ACTUALLY WENT 4-4 ON THE PENALTY KILL! That deserves a hearty HUZZAH! They, unfortunately, did not score on their two power play opportunities, but let's tackle one thing at a time shall we?

And for those keeping track of the Kessel train, he had an assist tonight bringing his total up to 21 points

Leafs are back home on Saturday to face those pesky Bruins who, no matter where they are in the standings, give us a hard time. Let's hope Kessel can find a way to do some damage against his former team.

PS At this point in time the Leafs are actually first in the Eastern conference (and in the whole bloody league! WHAT IS THIS SORCERY?!). If Pittsburgh holds on to the lead (which is probable) we will move back down to second in the East, but you know..I'll still take it!

Photo taken from Tumblr

Update: Pittsburgh lost in a shoot out which means, WE'RE STILL NUMBAH ONE (look at picture above for proper reaction).

'Lupes', there it is!

Leafs win their 8th of the year, with a 5-3 score, against the New Jersey Devils Wednesday night. Joffery Lupul scored his first hat trick as a Toronto Maple Leaf (second in his career) to lead the Leafs to the win. It's the first time two different Leafs have scored  hat tricks in a ten game period in God knows how long if ever..(I would try to figure it out, but unfortunately I have school in the morning).

Photo by Bruce Bennett

Even with this win the Leafs problems are clearly evident. The special teams have to get better. The Devils were previously 0-9 in their last four games on power play attempts, and in this game they went 2-2. The Leafs also went 0-2 on their own power plays, so Mr. Wilson and his team have some work to do on that front if they want to be contenders (I didn't say the words, that cannot be seen as a jinx, I swear).
On to more happy Leaf thoughts, because that little rant was a tad depressing, the Leafs called up Joey Crabb from the Marlies earlier this week and he scored his first goal of the season to open up the scoring by batting the puck out of mid air and past Martin Brodeur. This was Marty's first game back since an injury at the beginning of the season.
Up until the game was tied up at 3-3 the game was back and forth, literally. Everytime the Leafs would gain the lead, the Devils would come right back to tie it up, but lucky for us Lupul seemed to be on his 'A' game tonight which was the difference on the ice. Grabovski scored the second goal for the leafs.
Gustavsson was once again between the pipes, and again had a pretty solid game with some key saves that kept the Leafs in the game.

Photo by Bruce Bennett

Now, I'm a little biased when it comes to Luke Schenn, but his decreased level of confidence in his game is clearly noticeable, the third goal tonight could have been easily prevented and probably would have been last year. Who knows what happened to him, but all I know is that it's going to have to change, and he is going to have to start playing like he was last year. He did fight this game though, and from my point of view I think he may have been the victor, so maybe something like a win in a fight can help him regain his confidence. He was also trying to be more offensive tonight with some decent chances, so let's hope he keeps this up.
In other news the Kessel train just keeps on rolling with another two points tonight bringing his grand total to 20! There is a reason they named him the first star of October (which hasn't been won by a Leaf since Felix Potvin).
Next up for the Leafs is the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday in Columbus. Let's see if we can keep up the good work, and score some power play goals!