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! 

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!

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 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!