Toronto Maple Leafs Drop Third Straight Game

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in Pittsburgh tonight to play the Penguins, and fell 4-1 in regulation time. The Maple Leafs started off strong, and played a solid two periods of hockey, but by the third it was apparent they could not match the elite skill on the Penguins lineup. Though the Maple Leafs defense did a good job containing Crosby and Malkin for most of the game, there is a glaring weakness that is becoming apparent on this young Leafs team. That is the power play. The Leafs were a dismal 1 for 6 tonight with the man advantage, and they were just as bad last night against the Rangers. The Penguins played the 1st period with 4 skaters for an entire 8 minutes, and Toronto managed only one goal during this time. This came as a result of 3 penalties, one of which was a 4 minute major for high sticking. The fact that the Maple Leafs could not score with a 4 minute powerplay is telling to just how bad their special teams are. The Toronto Maple Leafs are clearly missing something in their special teams. Head coach Ron Wilson has been successful recently in improving the Leafs penalty kill, so now he is going to have to turn his attention to the power play. The Maple Leafs had every oppurtunity to win this game, but the power play failed them miserably tonight. At times, it seemed as if the Leafs played better 5 on 5, and looked much more dangerous offensively at even strength. This is going to have to be fixed.

Despite their woes with the man advantage, the Maple Leafs did do some things well on the ice tonight. Ron Wilson's top line was Niklas Hagman-Mikhail Grabovski-Nikolai Kulemin. This line looked absolutely deadly for most of the game. They created quite a few spectacular scoring chances, and like last night, came painfully close to putting pucks in the back of the net. The good news is that this line clearly has some chemistry for the Maple Leafs offensively. Those 3 players all have great puck moving ability, and it was incredibly frustrating to watch them come so close, only to just miss finishing their plays. The talent is definitely there with this line. They just lack the experience. I hope that Ron Wilson will play these 3 Leafs on the top line more often, and get them the playing time they need. If Ron Wilson does that, it is only a matter of time before they start seeing their chances turn into points. I can't say enough good things about this line. Those 3 guys may be the future for the Toronto Maple Leafs offense.

Also playing well was the Maple Leafs defence once again-in particular Luke Schenn and Jonas Frogren. As I mentioned before, they were able to contain Malkin and Crosby up until the 3rd period, when the Penguins finally broke out. They were easily the best two players on the Leafs blue line, and are starting to develop chemistry as a tough, gritty pair that are both fearless in blocking shots. Leafs fans, you are looking at a bright future in Luke Schenn. If he is playing this well now in his first season, I can only imagine how much he will improve in a couple more years. Luke Schenn clearly shows just how valuable a good first round draft pick can be. Though this season hasnt gone well for the Maple Leafs, watching Schenn is enough reason to pay attention to this team.

Getting the start in goal tonigh for the Maple Leafs was Curtis Joseph. He made some good saves, and showed some surprising flexibility considering his age, but the offensive talent of the Penguins was just too much for him tonight. I thought he played a good game in goal overall considering the team he was facing, and he should be a capable backup for the Maple Leafs. Hopefully Vesa Toskala got plenty of rest tonight. Even though our team may be off to a rough start, Leafs fans can take comfort in the fact that if this season goes the way our last few games have, we will have another great young draft pick in our lineup next year. Another young player who can play like Luke Schenn has so far wouldnt be a bad thing at all for the Toronto Maple Leafs. John Tavares anyone?