Four straight!

Well, it has certainly been a while since my last post (holiday time got hectic, sorry) and a lot has happened. Most recently: THE LEAFS HAVE WON FOUR STRAIGHT! This is craziness! Jonas Gustavsson has really turned on the heat, that Swede is on fire! With Reimer having been out for so long the Monster really stepped up his game and he is now running with his hot streak, because you would have to be a fool not to.

The Leafs have yet to lose in 2012, which is what they needed after a lacklustre December.

Photo by: Graig Abel

Tonight the Leafs played Buffalo where the leafs came out on top 2-0. This is the second shut out for Gustavsson in three games. It's been a much different season against the Sabres this year from last, they dominated the play last year. The Monster was solid in net tonight making the big saves when he needed to.

The team has really picked up their play as of late. They are playing disciplined, fast, and fun to watch hockey. Us fans are really enjoying it eh? It's great. 

Kulemin, who hasn't been able to find his scoring touch this season, scored the first goal of the game eight minutes into the first. The second goal was scored by line mate, Mikhail Grabovski, with a beautiful back hand shot. 

Photo by: Graig Abel

The Sabres, who have dealt with the injury plague all season, lost one of their top scorers in Vanek during the first period. He is said to have an upper body injury.

The Leafs take a small breaks from their home stretch of games to visit the Sabres (once again) in Buffalo on Friday followed by the Rangers on Saturday. 

As always, 

GO LEAFS GO! 

Now that's what I call a game

Tonight's game was incredible. It proved the skill and speed the Leafs have this season, despite the two quick goals by the Rangers (one was a 5 on 3). But we were able to hold the lead with the help of Jonas Gustavsson. The Monster was truly on his game tonight making some, for lack of a better word, monster saves.

Photo by Scott Levy

Why couldn't we play like this against Boston, huh? Being a Leaf fan makes me question my sanity sometimes, I swear.

Photo by Bruce Bennett

The Leafs pretty much dominated this game. Their speed made the Rangers run around a lot. Kessel got 2 assists on the night bringing his beautiful tally up to 34 points, still the leader. Cody Franson scored with a rocket shot in the first and Connolly and the red hot Lupul both scored in the third to make it 3-0 before the Rangers came back. Steckel scored the empty net goal for insurance (final score 4-3). And that Dion Phaneuf hit? Beauty.

Photo by Scott Levy

Games like this make me so happy, and I just want every game to look the same. Obviously that won't happen, but hey, a girl can dream.
The Leafs play the Devils tomorrow. Let's bring the same level of intensity! Please and thank you!
As always,
GO LEAFS GO
PS.

Photo by Bruce Bennett

Just because.

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.

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.