The Toronto Maple Leafs have had quite a week winning two games and losing a close one on the weekend. After watching these games I realized two things. One, Buffalo’s net minder, Ryan Miller can be beaten, two no matter how hard he tries, Phil Kessel can not seem to score a goal, not even an empty netter. He now has 36 shots on net and no goals to show for it. He did get two assists this week though.
Things started on a high note for the Leafs earlier the week when they came back and defeated the Sabres 4-3 in overtime. ”I guess that you got to feel fortunate when you get the extra point and you can score with under two seconds in the game,” said Leaf’s head coach, Randy Carlyle in the post game press conference.
There was, however, some sloppy play near the end of the third period, which even Carlyle acknowledged in the post game press conference. As a result, the Sabres tied it up at 3-3 and pushed the game into overtime.
Matt Frattin (right) was the overtime hero against the Sabres.
Matt Frattin, who got two goals in the game, scored with 1.5 seconds left in overtime by putting the puck in the upper right hand corner of the net with a back hand shot. ”It was a great individual effort by Matt Frattin,” said Carlyle.
The Leafs hung on and managed to win their first home game of the season as they defeated Washington 3-2 two nights later. They followed that up with 1-0 loss to Boston this past Saturday. (Unfortunately, I miss this one due to a nasty bout of the stomach flu).
Leaf’s goaltender, James Reimer stopped 29 shots against Buffalo, 20 shots against Washington, and 33 shots against Boston. He now has a goals against average of 2.47 and a .922 save percentage.
Nazem Kadri still leads the team in points with seven. I don’t believe he will be going down to Minors soon if he keeps this up.
Tonight, the Leafs face the Carolina Hurricanes at the Air Canada Center. Last time I’ve checked, the Leafs were eighth in the Eastern Conference standings.
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