The Official Toronto Maple Leafs thread

[blinkmeat]

Post you love and hate for theToronto Maple Leafs here

I'll try and keep this updated from game to game as best as I can :D

Official Site : http://www.mapleleafs.com/

http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/8953/passion640x4805qf.jpg



http://img481.imageshack.us/img481/8509/classpic6404nc.jpg

[SFDMALEX]

LEAFS SUCK!

[Max Power]

the leafs have screwed their fans for so long I don't understand how ppl still like them...they have been doing the exact same thing for the last 6-7 yrs...making the playoffs and then getting beaten by a contending team...MLSE has been raising the prices for Leafs ticket for those same 6-7 years and not doing anything about the team...contending teams usually make a run for the cup by getting some decent players...the leafs chose to get Clark, Gilmour, Leetch, Francis or some other 40 year spent player...they don't give a shit about winning cause if they did they would spend the money they've ripped of the tickets, and get somebody who hadn't peaked in the '89 Flames playoff run.....the LEAFS SUCK...and there's no point in trying to root for them cause they're never gonna win, cause management doesn't care if they win...
...look at the raptors, they haven't had a winning season for as long as I can remember, yet ppl still go to watch them, they trade away their frnachise player, cause he got tired of losing, why are the fans not tired of losing, how are the Raps still selling out games...I hate MLSE...they don't give a crap about winning, just making money, I guess that's just good business...but I don't have to take it....so I hate all Toronto teams...

[blinkmeat]

@ MAX - Are you saying that a winning team is bad for revenues? Especially in this market?

They just have poor management although JFJ has impressed me so far; and I suspect there is more coming down the pipe now that Perrot was traded - this is a rebuilding year for the Leafs, thats for sure.

And Vince Carter was just a douche - he didn't like anything about Toronto

[blinkmeat]

Leafs playing with 'fear'
Root of trouble lack of confidence, coach Quinn says
Capitals shore up power play and score three times
Nov. 7, 2005. 01:00 AM
MARK ZWOLINSKI
SPORTS REPORTER


WASHINGTON—One thing became poignantly clear over the weekend: the Leafs have an evil twin.

Watching them botch things so badly last night after handling the Stanley Cup-champion Lightning Saturday in Toronto was enough to give coaches and players a sharp message about their play so far this season.

"We're searching for ourselves," Leafs captain Mats Sundin said after a wildly inconsistent effort over a definite bottom dweller in the Washington Capitals led to a 5-4 loss before 12,859 at the MCI Center.

"We have to be more assertive. Even the other night against Tampa, we didn't play very well with the lead," Sundin continued.

"We have to stay out of the penalty box. ... I'm not panicking, no one is here. But we have to play better, we have work to do."

Sundin, who had another brilliant show in setting up a pair of Jeff O'Neill goals in his second game since returning from an eye injury, was really only touching the tips of the Leafs' problems.

They were almost too numerous to count. For starters, there's that tendency to take too many penalties.

Even after a month under the new NHL rules, the Leafs continue to absolutely kill themselves. They took 13 minors last night.

Washington, which had managed one power-play goal in 42 previous opportunities, bagged three against a struggling Leafs penalty-killing unit. And the supposed weak-sister Capitals scored a shorthanded goal to make matters worse.

The rash of penalties was a by-product of deeper problems with defensive positioning, moving the puck out of their own zone and turning the puck over at mid-ice and in the opposition attack zone to create odd-man rushes.

"We can make all the excuses we want (penalty calls, playing the night before), but the fact is we didn't work hard enough," Leafs coach Pat Quinn said.

"One phase is we're not picking up checks, another phase is cleaning up the front of our net ... and a key phase for us is moving the puck. We get it out of our end and give it up halfway up the ice. That's a sign of a lack of confidence ... playing with fear, with the fear of giving it up and some of our guys are playing with fear."

Quinn went on to describe how some of his key players are failing at commitments to certain aspects of the game plan.

His troops certainly underlined that in the first period when they spotted Washington a two-goal lead. In an about-face over the final five minutes of the period, they tied it up, but then fell behind 3-2 only 91 seconds into the second period.

And so it went, bad decisions, bad play, bad penalties, all piling up. On the other hand, the Leafs were good enough to catch up again. But their bad play far outweighed the good things they accomplished.

Alex Ovechkin scored at 15:01 of the second and at 6:07 of the third to put Washington ahead 5-3.

Kyle Wellwood, who had a goal disallowed in the first period, bagged his third of the season at 12:56 of the third. The Leafs tried desperately to tie it up — they had Sundin on the point and Bryan McCabe down low on a power play at one stage — but the hole they had dug was too deep.

McCabe had the other Toronto goal, while Bryan Muir, Matt Pettinger and Brian Willsie also scored for Washington.

"I think that with the majority of the teams in this league, if you don't play better than they do, you're not going to win," said O'Neill, reflecting on a Capitals team that was supposedly beatable for the Leafs.

"You may get some lucky breaks here and there, but you can't win without playing well."


TORONTO SUN




Perrott is seeing Stars


Washington's Alexander Ovechkin runs over Leaf Alexander Khavanov in the third period, Sunday. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
WASHINGTON -- Had this been a movie, it may very well have been entitled Dog Day Afternoon.

Does that reference suggest the Maple Leafs may have had a few, uh, passengers along for the ride in their 5-4 loss to the lowly Washington Capitals yesterday at the MCI Center?

We'll let coach Pat Quinn answer that one.

"We definitely have some guys who are taking nights off," the frustrated Toronto bench boss said afterward. "No team can win that way."

How the Leafs can beat the defending Stanley Cup champions one night, then plod their way to a lacklustre defeat against one of the league's bottom-feeders less than 24 hours later, is enough to drive Quinn bonkers.


After his team disposed of the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3 Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre, the prospect of having a healthy Mats Sundin in the lineup against a rebuilding Caps team should have been the grounds for optimism.

Guess again.

Compounding matters is the prospect that the team could be without defenceman Aki Berg for a prolonged period of time. Berg missed the final two periods with what Quinn called a "sprain of the knee" and will be re-evaluated today.

"We don't know how serious it is," Quinn said.

Playing a rare 5 p.m. start, the Leafs came out of the gates as if they didn't expect the opening faceoff until the normal 7 p.m. time. They took their first penalty just 14 seconds into the game and found themselves already down a goal six minutes later when goalie Mikael Tellqvist fanned on a soft Bryan Muir shot from the high slot.

If anything, special teams proved to be Toronto's downfall. The Caps shredded the Leafs for three power-play goals and added a shorthanded marker courtesy of Matt Pettinger.

Referees Mike Hasenfratz and Dan O'Rourke did make several phantom penalty calls, but the only accusing finger Quinn was wagging on this night was directly at his own players, not the zebras.

"You could argue every penalty for both sides, but there are no excuses," he said. "It's a pretty unhappy outcome, pretty disappointing.

"We were outworked. Our fourth line (Kyle Wellwood, Clarke Wilm and Alexander Steen) was our best line because they worked. But our other guys seemed to think they can rely on skill and not work. More often than not, you can't be successful that way."

Sundin, who set up linemate Jeff O'Neill for a pair of beautiful goals, suggested the Leafs are "lacking a bit of confidence."

It was Sundin who claimed at the end of the 2003-04 season that the Leafs flushed away a chance to have home-ice advantage in their playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers because they dropped too many games to opponents below them in the standings.

The Leafs and Caps have a return date tomorrow at the Air Canada Centre.

Alexander Ovechkin, with two, and Brian Willsie also scored for the Caps. Wellwood and Bryan McCabe had the other Leafs goals

[Max Power]

I'm just saying that the Leafs should have actually made a run for the cup...but they didn't, they never commited to it I guess...Colorado got Blake or Bouque, Detroit got hatcher, hasek, murphy...when they made runs at the cup...same with NJ, Dallas or even Caps....

so I feel that MLSE keep stiffing the fans with the same shit team and never spend their revenue to try and win the Cup...its not like they can't afford it...that's why I hate the organization...

as for Vince...yah he's a douche but a season before that, they gave him the big contract and then gave him up for nothing...they screwed the fans as did vince obviously

[blinkmeat]

I agree - but the NHL has a cap now so there's really nothing to your argument in todays terms. Blame Belfour and Sundin for not taking some sort of salary hit I say:

The Management sorta sucks - with Vince though - they were just paying him to be "injured" might as well move him at whatever the cost - I think was what they were thinking. Damn teachers union

[Max Power]

hence I hate the leafs...they(MLSE) showed no initiative for winning...which is also why i don't get how some one can like the leafs....they suck, haven't won squat, no real superstar, no big defenceman who can hit like stevens (aki berg Aahahahaha, Cross ahahahha)...and the fact that toronto has become a retirement home for the rest of the NHL...Gilmore, Clark, Francis, Belfour, Leetch, Svehla, Thomas, Lindros, Roberts, Nyiwendyk (sp)...etc....these are the players that were suppose to help the leafs win the cup....whatever :roll:

[callen]

hence I hate the leafs...they(MLSE) showed no initiative for winning...which is also why i don't get how some one can like the leafs....they suck, haven't won squat, no real superstar, no big defenceman who can hit like stevens (aki berg Aahahahaha, Cross ahahahha)...and the fact that toronto has become a retirement home for the rest of the NHL...Gilmore, Clark, Francis, Belfour, Leetch, Svehla, Thomas, Lindros, Roberts, Nyiwendyk (sp)...etc....these are the players that were suppose to help the leafs win the cup....whatever :roll:

No real defencemen? McCabe and Kabrele are arguaebly the best pair in the NHL right now, Mccabe is tops in scoring, and kaberle well he does what he does best, pass play D, avoid hits like the plague and doesnt shoot to save his life! But he still does what a defensive specialist should! No superstar? Mats Sundin is bonafide in that category, u make the NHL ALL Star, u are a superstar. nuff said. and to say they dont win squat is bullshit, they make the playoffs every year, i think management is to blame, plus some lazy fucks not gettin nething done, who cares about berg, carlo coliacavo will get it done in his place. Steen is steppin up, wellwood c an dangle but needs to be a lil more agreesive, i think we are doing just fine. No we arent ottawa which is just totally sick, or Montreal who is kicking ass as well, but im pretty happy where we are and there is improvement needed, but it could be a whole lot worse. Southern ontario is the hockey capital of the entire world ronin, ppl bleed blue and white, so this is why we cheer no matter what , no matter who we have. Hockey is life in canada, and even more so in southern ontario. Max power, you should be ashamed to say ur from toronto, i bet u live in napanee or some shit and just put toronto cause u think its cool! (bring on the flaming!) 8)

[SPEEDCORE]

I dont follow the sport but I am a fan cause I have been to Toronto for a holiday many many moons ago and have relatives there :mrgreen:

[Max Power]

c its that kind of attitude that keeps the ACC packed..."we're good, just not as good as ...." well I don't wanna c the leafs lose again...they will keep sucking as long as leafs fans like yourself will keep cheering no matter what...'oh it could be worse', u mean they might not win the cup for another 40 years...face it the leafs suck...and no person in their rightfull mind can continue to support a losing franchise cause they thought it could be worse...

[blinkmeat]

Tonights lines as of right now.

Steen Sundin O'Neil
Ponikarovsky Wellwood Allison
Tucker Lindros Antropov
Kilger Stajan Domi

Pretty balanced top three lines, nice checking line that can score, should be a beaute of a game!

Prediction: I think the leafs will RUIN the Caps Tuesday because of that bad game that they played on Sunday. Also Eddie will be in net. GO LEAFS GO!

IBM GAME NOTES
Leafs vs. Capitals
November 8, 2005


Pregame: 6:30 pm, Leafs TV -- Molson Game Day
Game: 7:30 pm, TSN, AM 640
Postgame: Following the game, Leafs TV -- After The Horn

Tonight's game is the second of four meetings this season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Washington Capitals. Following the game the Capitals fly back home to face the New Jersey Devils on Friday night. The Leafs will next see action when they face the Buffalo Sabres Friday night. Start time is 8:00 p.m. at the HSBC Arena.

COMING TO THE GAME?
If you are attending tonight's game be sure to watch out as you may be the lucky winner of a Yours, Mine and Ours movie prize pack. Yours, Mine and Ours stars Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo.

TORONTO VERSUS WASHINGTON: HEAD TO HEAD
2003-2004 SERIES: 2-0-2-0
ALL-TIME RECORD: 44-45-10-0 (26-16-6-0 at home)
LAST GAME: November 6, 2005 at Washington (Capitals 5, Maple Leafs 4)
NEXT MEETING: February 3, 2006 at Washington
CURRENT STREAKS: Washington (1 win)


TORONTO VERSUS WASHINGTON NOTABLES

The Maple Leafs are 7-2-3-1 in their last 13 regular season games against the Capitals
Mats Sundin leads all current Leafs with 51 career points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 43 games versus Washington
Alexei Ponikarovsky and Mats Sundin both scored game-winning goals versus Washington during the 2003-04 season
Chad Kilger has registered more 11 points (six goals, five assists) versus Washington then any other NHL franchise
Eric Lindros has collected more goals (27-tie) against the Capitals then any other NHL franchise
Ken Klee spent part of nine seasons with the Washington Capitals registering 111 points (43 goals, 68 assists) in 570 games
Alexei Ponikarovsky has registered more goals(4) against the Capitals then any other NHL franchise
Mats Sundin has more career assists (36) against Washington then any other NHL franchise
Darcy Tucker has collected 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) against the Capitals (his second highest total versus one team)
Five players (Sundin, Ponikarovsky, Mogilny, McCabe, Antropov) lead Toronto with three points in four games versus Washington the 2003-04 season
LAST GAME
NOVEMBER 6 - TORONTO 4 at WASHINGTON 5
Alexander Ovechkin had a two-goal performance to lead the Capitals to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the rookies fourth two-goal game of the season. Matt Pettinger added a shorthanded goal while Bryan Muir finished with a goal and an assist Jeff O'Neill scored twice and Kyle Wellwood had a goal and an assist for Toronto. Mats Sundin and Alexander Khavanov each added two assists. Olaf Kolzig had 25 saves for the Capitals. Toronto's Mikael Tellqvist, making his fourth appearance of the season, made 28 saves. Final Shots: Washington 33, Toronto 30.


2005-06 REGULAR SEASON LEADERS
GAMES PLAYED: 10 players tied (15)
GOALS: Eric Lindros (8), Jeff O'Neill (7), Darcy Tucker (6), Alex Steen (6)
ASSISTS: Bryan McCabe (14), Jason Allison (10), Tomas Kaberle (8)
POINTS: Bryan McCabe (18), Eric Lindros (13), Jeff O'Neill (13), Jason Allison (12), Darcy Tucker (12)
PENALTY MINUTES: Wade Belak (33), Jason Allison (31), Tie Domi (26), Bryan McCabe
POWER PLAY GOALS: Jeff O'Neill (5), Bryan McCabe (3), Eric Lindros (3), Darcy Tucker (3)
GAME WINNING GOALS: Jeff O'Neill (2), Eric Lindros (1), Ken Klee (1), Alexei Ponikarovsky (1), Steen (1)
SHOTS: Jeff O'Neill (46), Alex Steen (37), Bryan McCabe (37), Eric Lindros (35)


THE DEFENCE NEVER RESTS
Tomas Kaberle (28.42) and Bryan McCabe (28:34)are tied for second in average ice time per game in the NHL.

NHL AVERAGE ICE TIME PER GAME RK PLAYER TEAM AVERAGE ICE TIME/ PER GAME
1. Tomas Kaberle TOR 28:42
2. Bryan McCabe TOR 28:34
3. Chris Pronger EDM 28:23
4. Niclas Havelid ATL 27:52
5. Nicklas Lidstrom DET 27:42

[Toronto]

Steen Allison Stajan - that is the line they should keep, quinn doesn't know anything about the game (except for how to end a career, look up the open ice hit with 2 elbows)

he coaches like the players are all even. they just arn't. don't spread out the O, keep the good players on longer, and you will win games (look at CAR, DET, MON, OTT)

[blinkmeat]

Those other teams have more depth - minus CAR maybe

They need to get allison producing again in a big way- thats why he was moved

[blinkmeat]

Going to watch now - GO LEAFS GO

[blinkmeat]

Pat Quinn is officially an idiot

The Toronto Maple Leafs on Wednesday announced that defenceman Carlo Colaiacovo has been assigned to the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League.

Recalled yesterday by the Maple Leafs, Colaiacovo recorded his first career NHL goal last evening in the team's 6-4 win over the Washington Capitals. In six games this season with the Marlies, he has registered two goals and four assists.

[blinkmeat]

Bill Watters (Leafs Lunch) said the Leafs sent down Carlo C down to the Marlies today with plans to bring him back for Friday's game. Watters claims the reason for the shuffle is because Carlo can be paid his Marlies contract saving the Leafs $10,000 for the two day demotion.

Coli played well - better than Berg or Belak anyway - his goal was flukey though. As for Quinn he took a puck and a stick to the face - in two seperate games

[callen]

i think carlo is better than aki, but he did cough up the puck for the caps to score thier first goal.... and btw max power who DO u cheer for? lemme guess u are a wagon hopping Sens fan????? GO LEAFS GO!

[Max Power]

pens...and i hate ottawa

[blinkmeat]

Hey just heard on sportsnet that apparently JFJ is shopping Jason Allison around :|

Allison, Antro and cash for some D - but who?

[blinkmeat]

http://img487.imageshack.us/img487/4577/3994qk.jpg

[blinkmeat]

I'm going to miss this game because I have some business to attend to- but I say the leafs sqeek by 4-3

IBM GAME NOTES
Leafs vs. Sabres
November 11, 2005

Pregame: 7:00 pm, Leafs TV -- Gameday
Game: 8:00 pm, TSN, AM 640
Postgame: Following the game, Leafs TV -- After The Horn

This is the first of eight meetings between the Sabres and Maple Leafs this season. Buffalo's first trip up the QEW to Air Canada Centre is on Thursday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m. Toronto doesn't play in Buffalo again until Friday, March 3 at 8 p.m. - the night that Pat LaFontaine will have his number 16 raised to the rafters.

SABRES ALL-TIME RECORD VS. TORONTO

ALL TIME RECORD: 136 70 45 18 3
LAST 10 GAMES VS. TORONTO OVERALL: 5-4-1
LAST 10 GAMES VS. TORONTO AT HOME: 4-4-2

TORONTO VS BUFFALO 2003-2004 SEASON



Buffalo had a record of 3-2-1 against Toronto, and was 1-2 at HSBC Arena.

Former Sabre Miroslav Satan led the team in scoring with 11 points (4+7) in six games, followed by J.P. Dumont with nine (2+7) and Chris Drury (3+2) and Jochen Hecht (2+3) with five each.

Defenceman Bryan McCabe led Toronto with six points (0+6) in six games.

Martin Biron played in five games for Buffalo, finishing with a 1-2-1 record and a 2.99 GAA.

Ed Belfour played four games for Toronto, and was 1-2-1 with a 2.95 GAA.

RECENT GAMES

NOVEMBER 8 - WASHINGTON 4 at TORONTO 6
Alexei Ponikarovsky, Bryan McCabe, Mats Sundin and Carlo Colaiacovo scored in the third period and the Maple Leafs rallied for a 6-4 victory over the Capitals. Chad Kilger and Jeff O'Neill also added goals for the Maple Leafs. Capitals rookie Alexander Ovechkin recorded his fifth two goal game and second against the Leafs. Olie Kolzig allowed five goals on 32 shots and was replaced in the third by Brent Johnson. Sundin has recorded six points in three games since his return from injury. Final Shots: Toronto 34. Washington 30.

NOVEMBER 6 - TORONTO 4 at WASHINGTON 5
Alexander Ovechkin had a two-goal performance to lead the Capitals to a 5-4 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. It was the rookies fourth two-goal game of the season. Matt Pettinger added a shorthanded goal while Bryan Muir finished with a goal and an assist Jeff O'Neill scored twice and Kyle Wellwood had a goal and an assist for Toronto. Mats Sundin and Alexander Khavanov each added two assists. Olaf Kolzig had 25 saves for the Capitals. Toronto's Mikael Tellqvist, making his fourth appearance of the season, made 28 saves. Final Shots: Washington 33, Toronto 30.

FILLING THE IN THE NEW NHL

The Toronto Maple Leafs are tied for third in the NHL with 60 goals in 16 gmes. This includes 26 powerplay goals, accounting for 43.3% of their scoring production.

2005-06 REGULAR SEASON TOTAL GOALS (As of November 10, 2005)
RK TEAM Games Played Powerplay Goals Total Goals
1. Detroit 17 27 68
2. Ottawa 13 19 62
3. Toronto 16 26 60
Philadelphia 13 21 60
Colorado 14 21 60
Boston 17 22 60
7. Carolina 14 20 58
8. Los Angeles 16 16 55
9. Vancouver 16 20 53
10 N.Y. Rangers 17 19 52

[blinkmeat]

Wellwood oozes confidence
Quinn grudgingly admires rookie's adventurous spirit
'It's going to take a lot more work to prove myself'
Nov. 14, 2005. 01:00 AM
KEN CAMPBELL
SPORTS REPORTER


The year was 1999, Kyle Wellwood's rookie season in the Ontario Hockey League and he was full of bold predictions.

One day when he was talking to his agent, Wellwood mentioned that he would win the league's scoring title the next season. His agent reminded him that he'd be going head-to-head against some guy named Jason Spezza, but Wellwood didn't seem very concerned about that.

The next season, he was the OHL's top scorer with 118 points, two more than Spezza.

That wasn't the only prediction Wellwood made that day. He also told his agent that by his third year of professional hockey, he'd be playing in the NHL.

Right again.

"John (Maple Leafs GM Ferguson) called me a couple of weeks ago and said, 'Consider yourself on the team,'" Wellwood said. "I guess that's about as clear as you can get."

Don't let Wellwood's golly-gee-I'm-just-happy-to-be-here act fool you. The 22-year-old rookie is brimming with confidence and it shows in how assertive he plays offensively. He isn't hesitant to try high-risk moves that can either make the highlight reels or the team's video session the next day. A case in point came earlier this season when, with the Leafs clinging to a one-goal lead, Wellwood tried to score on a breakaway by shooting between his legs.

Leafs coach Pat Quinn was not the least bit impressed — largely because Wellwood failed to score — but he does admire the young man's sense of adventure.

"He's deceptive and a lot of people don't know him," Quinn says. "He shows you things and he's not afraid to try and there are so many things you like about that attitude and the more he keeps showing he can do it on a fairly regular basis, the more (ice) time he's going to end up getting."

Wellwood scored his fourth goal of the season in Saturday night's 5-4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens on a wonderful give-and-go with Nik Antropov. That gave him a respectable 12 points in 17 games and put him on pace for a 20-goal rookie season.

More important, a player who was once considered too small, too lazy and not committed enough to the defensive aspects of the game goes into tomorrow night's game against the New York Rangers leading the Leafs in plus-minus at plus-6.

And, depending on how Carlo Colaiacovo develops, Wellwood might turn out to be the best player the Leafs drafted in 2001. Colaiacovo, who was selected 17th overall, remains an unknown, largely because injuries have hurt his development.

Karel Pilar (taken 39th) has health issues and if defencemen Brendan Bell (65th) or Jay Harrison (82nd) become NHL players, it almost certainly won't be with the Leafs. That leaves Wellwood, who was taken 134th and has made more progress than any Leaf prospect since then.

"I figured it was going to take a lot of work for me to get up here and it definitely has," Wellwood said. "And it's going to take a lot more work to prove myself to be a good player here."

The main reason Wellwood is playing at the NHL level is that he now gets it. The same player one member of the Leafs' front office once referred to as a "space cadet" has come a long way in developing his total game and has come to realize the conditioning level that it takes to be an NHL player.

"I think I've figured it out over the past couple of years playing in the minors," Wellwood said. "Learning how to be a pro on and off the ice takes a while, but I think I've done that so far."

Wellwood's history suggests that he takes a year to get accustomed to his new surroundings, then becomes a dominant offensive player. He won the scoring title in his second year of junior and scored 38 goals and 87 points for St. John's last season. "Being creative offensively has to be my strength," he said. "It's something that I have to do."

[blinkmeat]

This is gunna be a good game - The bruins will be hungry - first goal is gunna mean alot for either team as the momentum will be contingent on this. I think it'll either be a Bruin blow-out , or 5-3 Leafs.... 8)

IBM GAME NOTES
Leafs vs Bruins
November 23, 2005

Pregame: 6:30 pm, Leafs TV -- Gameday
Game: 7:30 pm, TSN, AM 640
Postgame: Following the game, Leafs TV -- After The Horn

Tonight's game is the fourth of eight meetings this season between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. Following the game the Bruins fly back to Boston to face the Flyers Friday afternoon. The Leafs will next see action when they face the Carolina Hurricanes Friday night. Start time is 7 p.m. at the RBC Center.

TORONTO VERSUS BOSTON: HEAD TO HEAD
2005-2006 SERIES: 2-1-0
ALL-TIME RECORD: 248-252-98-2 (157-92-51-0 at home)
LAST GAME: November 17, 2005 at Boston (Maple Leafs 4, Bruins 1)
NEXT MEETING: December 22, 2005 at Boston
CURRENT STREAKS: Toronto (1 win)

RECENT GAMES
NOVEMBER 19 - ATLANTA 1 at TORONTO 5
Alexei Ponikarovsky scored twice and had an assist to help the Maple Leafs beat the Thrashers 5-1 for their season-high fourth straight victory. Bryan McCabe added a goal and two assists for the Leafs. Ilya Kovalchuk scored the lone goal for the Thrashers. Toronto outshot Atlanta 13-2 in the first period and scored three goals. Alexander Steen opened the scoring beating Adam Berkhoel with a wrist shot 50 seconds into the game and Ponikarovsky finished it at 9:49 of the second to make it 5-1. Final Shots: Toronto 38, Atlanta 32

NOVEMBER 17 - TORONTO 4 at BOSTON 1
Eric Lindros had a goal and an assist, and Mikael Tellqvist made 31 saves to lift the Maple Leafs to a 4-1 victory over the Bruins. Toronto scored two power-play goals. Giving the Leafs the top power-play unit in the NHL. Nik Antropov put the Maple Leafs ahead 1-0 in the second period, while Brad Isbister tied it for the Bruins with 13 seconds left in the frame. Nik Antropov, Mats Sundin and Darcy Tucker rounded out about the scoring for the Leafs. Jason Allison and Bryan McCabe each had two assists for the Maple Leafs, giving McCabe seven points in last three games. Final Shots: Boston 32, Toronto 28

THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
Over the course of the last five games Toronto has seen a drop in trips to the penalty box, averaging 6.2 penalties per game, while giving up an average of 5.4 powerplay opportunities. The Leafs complied a 4-1-0 in these contest and are holding opponents to a 2.2 goals per game average.

This is in contrast to the previous 10 game where the Leafs were averaging 8.8 penalties per game and giving up an average of 6.8 powerplay opportunities. Toronto was 5-5-0 in those games, with a 4.4 opponents goals per game average.


WINNING WAYS
Ed Belfour ranks first all-time among active NHL goaltenders in wins and shutouts (tie). Belfour also ranks third on the all-time NHL win list, eighth (tie) on the all-time NHL shutout list and seventh this season in wins.

ALL-TIME NHL WIN LEADERS RK GOALTENDER SEASON CAREER
1. Patrick Roy 550
2. Terry Sawchuk 447
3. Ed Belfour 10 445
Jacques Plante 437
5. Tony Esposito 423
6. Martin Brodeur 7 410
7. Glenn Hall 407
8 Curtis Joseph 9 405
9. Grant Fuhr 403
10. Mike Vernon 385




LEADERS OF THE PACK
Bryan McCabe's 30 points (nine goals, 21 assists) and Tomas Kaberle's 17 points (one goal, 16 assists) place them first and tied for fifth in NHL defensive scoring. Their combined 47 points make them the highest scoring defensive tandem in the NHL.

POINTS BY AN NHL DEFENCEMAN

RK PLAYER Goals Assists Points
1. Bryan McCabe 9 21 30
2. Lubomir Visnovsky 8 16 24
3. Joni Pitkanen 7 14 21
Wade Redden 4 17 21
5. Tomas Kaberle 1 16 17
Ed Jovanovski 5 12 17
Sami Salo 6 11 17
Mathieu Schneider 4 13 17
Alexei Zhitnik 2 15 17

[callen]

Well the leafs are coming off another strong win from Saturday nite against the Habs... looks like we have thier number this year! SHould be a good road trip to Florida this week, if we stay focused there is no reason we cant get outta there with 3 wins :mrgreen:

[callen]

lindros has been lacking lately, but he is still getting it done it little ways... tonites game was a little bit lackluster, but overall the leafs are doing quite well. We were worried about alot of guys stayin healthy and producing and overall I am happy with results, could always be better but good stuff so far, but not fantastic. :wink:

[blinkmeat]

ya they're doin okay - agree about lindros - but for fuck sakes they need to sit Domi for Wilm... hes absolutely useless... and for a 2 yr 2.5 mil - my GOD!!!! :?