Toronto Maple Leafs Thread

Rygar

even flow? wrote:

After the news the other day, I think the press will be pretty kind to Blake. No matter if he only scores 5 or 10 goals this year.

The kindness will only be temporary.

even flow?

http://www.anotherlongseason.com - you know the drill

The Leafs fresh off of a win, a very big win which followed a very big loss will be hosting the Penguins on Saturday night at the hanger. The Pens are coming into Toronto after having been stymied by the Canadiens' rookie goaltender at home. The Pens will be looking for some scoring from the fresh yet young vets in the line up. Toronto will be doing their best not to follow a win with a loss.

The goaltending issue in Toronto is still undecided as each goalie is playing like they want to split the season in the pipes. Which wouldn't be bad if their names were Brodeur and Luongo. Alas, they are not. With confidence being on Raycroft's side after a big win last evening, I think he should get the nod against a team that is capable of putting the puck on and in the net many times. This game should test his character.

A tip of the hat to Mats Sundin taking over the all time goals and points lead of a Maple Leaf player. He is only trailing fellow countryman Borje Salming in assists to hold the three big stats for a player. In typical nice guy ways that Sundin has a reputation for, he advised the ref that he indeed didn't touch the puck and gave back an asssist that would have set the record. Only to score in the third period to get it back. Looking to pass, the puck hit a skate and went into the net. Not pretty once past the thin red line is a goal all the same.

The hanger should be SRO again as the hype around Syd the Kid has yet to wane. Oh and their is some hype about a Russian on the team too, but this writer is taking the Don Cherry approach to hockey.

kenshunt

even flow? wrote:

http://www.anotherlongseason.com - you know the drill

The Leafs fresh off of a win, a very big win which followed a very big loss will be hosting the Penguins on Saturday night at the hanger. The Pens are coming into Toronto after having been stymied by the Canadiens' rookie goaltender at home. The Pens will be looking for some scoring from the fresh yet young vets in the line up. Toronto will be doing their best not to follow a win with a loss.

The goaltending issue in Toronto is still undecided as each goalie is playing like they want to split the season in the pipes. Which wouldn't be bad if their names were Brodeur and Luongo. Alas, they are not. With confidence being on Raycroft's side after a big win last evening, I think he should get the nod against a team that is capable of putting the puck on and in the net many times. This game should test his character.

A tip of the hat to Mats Sundin taking over the all time goals and points lead of a Maple Leaf player. He is only trailing fellow countryman Borje Salming in assists to hold the three big stats for a player. In typical nice guy ways that Sundin has a reputation for, he advised the ref that he indeed didn't touch the puck and gave back an asssist that would have set the record. Only to score in the third period to get it back. Looking to pass, the puck hit a skate and went into the net. Not pretty once past the thin red line is a goal all the same.

The hanger should be SRO again as the hype around Syd the Kid has yet to wane. Oh and their is some hype about a Russian on the team too, but this writer is taking the Don Cherry approach to hockey.

Now the real story of the game

Sundin Sets Goal and Points Record Canadian Press Oct 12, 2007, 12:37 AM EDT Recap | Ulmer Blog | Photo Gallery | Scoresheet | Stats | Video


TORONTO -- After losing the Toronto Maple Leafs' franchise record for most points, Mats Sundin hit the ice and took it right back.

Sundin scored in the third period for his 390th goal and 917th point in the blue and white, both new club records, as the Maple Leafs hammered the New York Islanders 8-1 on Thursday night.

The 36-year-old Swedish captain entered the game tied with Darryl Sittler in franchise goals and points. Sundin broke both records when he attempted pass that caromed in off the skate blade of Islanders defenceman Brendan Witt at 9:54 of the third period.

When Sundin went to the bench, his teammates stood and banged their sticks against the boards while the crowd cheered the captain.

They'd done the same in the second period when Sundin was credited with an assist, and for 20 or 30 minutes he held the club points record all alone. But Sundin talked to the on-ice officials to let them know he hadn't touched the puck on the play, and the crowd moaned when it was announced five minutes into the third period that the point had been taken away.
Sundin soaks it up after breaking the Leafs scoring record.
Graig Abel Photograpgy


``I actually went to the penalty box and they said, `I think they're going to take your assist away,' and I said, `I think so, too, because I didn't touch the puck,''' Sundin explained. ``I'm very glad it ended the way it did.

``It would have been embarrassing otherwise.''

Nik Antropov, Ian White, Tomas Kaberle, Matt Stajan, Alex Steen, Andy Wozniewski, with his first NHL goal, and Simon Gamache, with his first as a Leaf, also scored. Stajan had three assists and Darcy Tucker and Pavel Kubina two each.

``I'm extremely happy for him,'' Tucker said of Sundin. ``He's the face of the franchise and has been for a number of years.

After the game, Air Canada Centre announcer Andy Frost announced the three stars, and it was Sundin, Sundin and Sundin as more than 19,000 roared their approval.

``The fans sticking with this team, which hasn't won a championship since '67, is a big carrot for us coming back every year to try and achieve that,'' Sundin said as a media throng surrounded him at his dressing room stall afterwards. ``Tonight they were outstanding again and helped us play this game and helped us bounce back after a very disappointing game the other night.

``My respect has grown every year as a player for this city, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the fans. Hopefully, it's grown the same for me as a player.''

The Leafs were looking to bounce back from a 7-1 home loss to Carolina on Tuesday.

``Every team is going to lose at some part of the season (by big scores) _ even the team winning the Stanley Cup,'' said Sundin. ``It's how you respond after a loss like that, and I thought we responded well.

``We know we still have a lot of work to do but it is a character builder when you bounce back like that in front of your home fans and we showed our fans we're not going to lay down and it was nice to see.''

``No matter what happens he never seems to get too high or too low. It's always, `Boys, we'll bounce back. Boys, we need to pick it up.' He never lets us get off-kilter, which is great for a team that has a few younger guys this year.''

Stajan and the other Leafs youngsters idolize Sundin.

``I watched him growing up,'' said Stajan. ``I was only 10 or 12 years old when he got traded here.

``I got to watch him a lot and I've been lucky now to play with him in this my fourth year. You couldn't ask for a better guy to be your captain.''

Ruslan Fedotenko was the only Islander to put a puck behind Leafs goalie Andrew Raycroft.

``It was embarrassing,'' said Wade Dubielewicz, who was in the Islanders nets to give No. 1 Rick DiPietro a rest. ``The effort just wasn't there _ from me on out.''

The losers were gracious enough to praise Sundin.

``Mats is an all-star player and what he means to the Toronto Maple Leafs and the city, the type of gentleman that he is, it's fitting for him to get that many goals and that many points,'' said Islanders coach Ted Nolan. ``He's a heck of a player.''

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NewsPage&articleid=339862

kenshunt

Rygar wrote:

The kindness will only be temporary.

I think he's played good though, if u couldn't see an effort then they'd prolly be all over him, the media.

Rygar

kenshunt wrote:

I think he's played good though, if u couldn't see an effort then they'd prolly be all over him, the media.

The day before his announcement they were calling for blood with "three games no goals, Blake not so big a signing after all" etc, etc.

EF's commentary was better :P

kenshunt

Late Crosby Goal Downs Leafs
Score Sheet | Super Stats | Photos | Video | Carlo, Wellwood Practice

TORONTO (CP) -- Pity the Toronto Maple Leafs. They had the unfortunate fate of welcoming a goal-hungry Sidney Crosby after the Pittsburgh Penguins superstar began the season with no goals in his first three games.

The so-called slump is over, folks.

Sid The Kid scored his first two goals of the season, including the game-winner with 5:22 left in the third period, to lead the Penguins to a wild 6-4 win over the Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

``It's not something I was too worried about,'' said Crosby, the game's first star. ``If I wasn't getting chances I'd be a little worried but I thought it was just a matter of time.''

Last season's NHL scoring champion came into the game with two assists and nine shots on goal in three games. He scored on two of his four shots Saturday - neither one a beauty but he wasn't complaining.

``I remember last year I went eight to 10 games without a goal, so I was hoping it wasn't going to be that long,'' said Crosby. ``But that happens, that's part of playing hockey. I've said it before, it's not easy. The seasons are full of ups and downs. You just have to battle through it.''

The crowd of 19,479 at Air Canada Centre got its money's worth in a game which featured plenty of goals, even more chances, and very little defence. Both teams handled the puck in their own zone like a hand grenade. But the Penguins especially terrorized the Leafs with 52 shots on goal and chance after chance.

``We were moving our feet and really creating a lot,'' said Crosby. ``And we could have even had more, let's be honest. We have to make sure defensively we're strong but if we keep putting shots up like that, I think we'll get results.''

It was the ninth goal in the game that mattered most, Crosby banging home a loose puck into an empty net after Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala stopped Darryl Sydor's point shot on a Penguins power play only to have the puck trickle behind him to Crosby. It was the lone power-play tally of the night out of 10 goals.

Maxime Talbot also had a pair of goals, while Ryan Malone and Erik Christensen also scored for the Penguins (2-2-0), who outshot Toronto 52-27.

``Any time you go on the road and get more than 50 shots you're doing something right,'' said veteran Penguins winger Mark Recchi. ``Hopefully this game gets us going in the right direction.''

Toskala was solid despite letting in five goals, stopping 46 shots - one short of his career-high. If only he had help.

``I feel sorry for Vesa, he's kicking 50 shots aside,'' said Leafs winger Alex Steen. ``We're taking too many penaltiesa and they took advantage at the end.''

Toskala has given up 12 goals in his last two starts but head coach Paul Maurice can't fault him.

``He's played really, really well his last two games,'' said Maurice. ``What do you say to the kid after that? He played great again.''

Said Toskala: ``It's tough. We need the points if we want to make the playoffs this year so it's frustrating.''

The Leafs were handed a power play with 1:32 to go in the third period but couldn't capitalize, Talbot ending it with an empty-netter with 49.2 clicks left.

Toronto for the second game in a row faced the opposition's backup goalie. After putting eight goals past New York Islanders backup Wade Dubielewicz on Thursday, the Leafs saw Penguins backup Dany Sabourin get the start over No. 1 Marc-Andre Fleury.

And he looked every bit the backup after allowing a pair of shaky goals. But Sabourin was replaced by Fleury with 4:53 to go in the opening period after Darcy Tucker was pushed into him by Pens defenceman Brooks Orpik, the goalie knocking his head on the ice.

Orpik was knocked out of the game in the second period, injured while trying to hit Simon Gamache. The Leafs winger appeared to catch him with his stick as the Pens defenceman tried to bodycheck him. A team spokesman said Orpik sustained a mild concussion.

Crosby has never had a fighting major in the NHL but came close late in the second period, exchanging a few face washes with Nik Antropov. Both players got roughing penalties.

``I went to finish my hit and he got his stick up a bit,'' said Crosby. ``A little bit of a scrum. Nothing major. That's not a fight. I didn't drop the gloves.''

Christensen opened the scoring 5:09 into the game, his wrist shot from the top of the faceoff circle beating a screened Toskala. Tucker tied it 1:28 later, flipping in a rebound at the side of the net. Toronto took its first lead at 8:39, Antropov stuffing home a loose puck.

The Pens pressed for the rest of the period, outshooting the Leafs 19-6 overall, but Toskala stood up to the test - including a flashy glove save on Jordan Staal.

The Leafs came out with more energy in the middle period and connected early to make it 3-1, Mats Sundin one-timing a quick pass from behind by Antropov past Fleury just 55 seconds in.

Crosby rallied his team, however, his attempted pass deflecting off Leafs defenceman Pavel Kubina and past Toskala at 6:31. That seemed to wake up the Pens, who tied it 3-3 just 19 seconds later, Talbot putting in a rebound after a second effort.

The teams traded chances before Pittsburgh went ahead with exactly four minutes to go in the second period, Malone knocking a rebound off Staal's shot to make it 4-3.

Jason Blake tied it 4-4 just 27 seconds later, flipping a rebound from Sundin's shot over Fleury. The Air Canada Centre crowd showed its appreciation with a warm applause for Blake, scoring his first goal as a Leaf in an emotionally charged week. He was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia and announced it last Monday.

Notes: Forward Kyle Wellwood (groin) and defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo (knee) joined their Maple Leaf teammates for the pre-game skate Saturday morning, their first practice with the team since going down with separate problems. Both players said they hoped to be back in the lineup soon, perhaps as early as next week. Winger Alex Ponikarovsky (knee) missed his second straight game. ``We're hopeful for Monday (at Buffalo),'' Leafs coach Paul Maurice said of Ponikarovsky. ``We don't think he's that far off.'' ... Toronto native Mike Myers, in town shooting his latest film - ``The Love Guru'' - dropped the puck for a ceremonial faceoff.

Three star selections:
1st: SIDNEY CROSBY
2nd: NIK ANTROPOV
3rd: EVGENI MALKIN
Winning Goaltender:
Marc-Andre Fleury



Losing Goaltender:
Vesa Toskala


http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=Recap&seas=20072008&gtype=2&gnum=64

inmyrvm

i thought you guys were going to beat us when we had to put fleury in, we pulled one out of our asses last night!

kenshunt

It was a tough call that gave Crosby the winner, i hate that delay of the game rule no matter who it's against, but i thought it was a damn entertaining game though.

inmyrvm

kenshunt wrote:

It was a tough call that gave Crosby the winner, i hate that delay of the game rule no matter who it's against, but i thought it was a damn entertaining game though.

ya it was fun to watch. i was just waiting for fleury to blow it. i hope we don't keep him. who was the delay of game call against, i can't remember?

pineapplesandwaves

inmyrvm wrote:

ya it was fun to watch. i was just waiting for fleury to blow it. i hope we don't keep him. who was the delay of game call against, i can't remember?

Tucker.

kenshunt

Maple Leafs-Sabres PreviewOct 15, 2007, 7:00 PM ET
TV Information

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National TV:
VERSUS (HD)
Local Away:
SNET-O

The Buffalo Sabres are without their top two centers from last season. They may not miss them too much if their defense continues to contribute offensively.

The Sabres look to build on two straight dominant victories Monday night when they face the Northeast Division rival Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time this season.

Since opening with back-to-back losses to the New York Islanders, the Sabres (2-2-0) have looked every bit like the league's highest-scoring team from last season in wins over Atlanta and Washington.

Buffalo scored three power-play goals Thursday in a 6-0 victory over the Thrashers, then registered 53 shots Saturday in a 7-3 win over the Capitals.

Jaroslav Spacek scored twice and fellow defenseman Brian Campbell added four assists Saturday for Buffalo, which lost star centers Chris Drury and Daniel Briere to free agency in the offseason.

"I think we played pretty good in the second game against the Islanders, but just didn't get any points," Spacek said. "After we got home it was tough, but we had some time off after that game and worked hard in practice."

Without the 69 goals and 164 points that Drury and Briere provided, the Sabres will need production from other sources to remain successful. Center Derek Roy is the only forward with more than two goals, but Spacek and Campbell have combined for five goals and 15 points.

Campbell is Buffalo's leading scorer and tops NHL defensemen with nine points, while Spacek already has four goals in four games after he recording five in 65 games last year.

"Right now they are making nice plays back there," Sabres coach Lindy Ruff told the team's official Web site. "(Spacek) is getting the shots through and it's finding some holes. Some of them are going through masses of people but we are getting the opportunities."

Also being counted on to help compensate for the missing offense is center Tim Connolly, who was limited to two games last season due to post-concussion symptoms. He's tied for third on the team with five points.

Buffalo's Ryan Miller is 5-1-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and one shutout in six home games against Toronto.

One game after a stellar performance in an 8-1 win over the Islanders, the Maple Leafs (2-3-1) struggled defensively in a 6-4 home loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Mats Sundin, Jason Blake and Nik Antropov each had a goal and an assist for Toronto, which has allowed four goals or more in half of its six games.

Vesa Toskala made 46 saves - one shy of his career high. He is 1-3-0 with a 4.48 GAA this season.

Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby scored the go-ahead goal on the power play with 5:22 remaining.

"I feel sorry for Vesa, he's kicking 50 shots aside," forward Alex Steen said. "We're taking too many penalties and they took advantage at the end."

Sundin is showing no signs of slowing down in his 17th season. The Toronto captain has a point in every game and ranks among the league leaders with 10 points.

The Sabres went 5-3-0 against the Maple Leafs last season, splitting four home games. Buffalo is 10-4-0 in the past 14 meetings overall.



Associated Press


http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/team/app?gameNumber=78&gameType=2&page=Preview&season=20072008&service=page

skanji

Was McCabe given the puck at the end of the game on his game winning goal last night vs Buffalo?



GO SENS GO!!!!

thetruthwillsetufree

Mccabe needs to go.

Rygar

thetruthwillsetufree wrote:

Mccabe needs to go.

And where will he be going?

Steve Dunne

That 3rd period was exciting as hell. Sad that it had to end the way it did, and I'm not a Buffalo or Toronto fan, but a game that good ending like that was a shame. That's hockey though.

thetruthwillsetufree

Rygar wrote:

And where will he be going?

Do I look like ferguson?

I don't care where, he just needs to go.

Red Lukin

thetruthwillsetufree wrote:

Do I look like ferguson?

I don't care where, he just needs to go.

No one will take him salary, so he's stuck with us for 5 years

Rygar

thetruthwillsetufree wrote:

Do I look like ferguson?

I don't care where, he just needs to go.

You don't need to be Ferguson to know he isn't going anywhere.
There's no team in the league that will take him.

thetruthwillsetufree

Rygar wrote:

You don't need to be Ferguson to know he isn't going anywhere.
There's no team in the league that will take him.

McCabe will not finish the season in a leaf uniform.

Rygar

thetruthwillsetufree wrote:

McCabe will not finish the season in a leaf uniform.

Then he won't finish the season at all
He makes more than Pronger...

I don't think Ferguson will send him down either.

It'll be interesting to see what will happen. The fans and media are trying to chase him out, so JFJ is in a bit of a pickle.