There was a buzz in the building for tonight’s game against the Leafs and New Jersey Devils. Most of that buzz started before the game with Nik Antropov and Dominic Moore sitting out the game and were healthy scratches. The chances of those two players being shipped out of town are almost definite now. If that were the case, then a third of the Leafs roster should’ve been healthy scratches as well. In fact, why didn’t the Leafs just call up the whole Marlboros team?
Even though the Leafs were without two of their regulars and their better offensive players, the team still battled and gave New Jersey all they could handle, but the Devils won this game in overtime 3-2. That’s right folks, another extra time game, and the seventh in a row now which ties the league record.
Goaltending was the story for either side, and both did an admirable job of keeping their teams alive and the score close.
Martin Brodeur just playing in his fourth game since elbow surgery looked very comfortable and as if he didn’t miss a beat at all. Since coming back now, in four games Brodeur has two shutouts, and has stopped 96 of 100 shots faced.
As for Vesa Toskala, he has provided the goaltending the Leafs team was looking for all season long, and coming into the game had allowed just seven goals in his past four games.
Anytime a team faces New Jersey, those games are usually boring ones and tonight was no different. The first forty minutes of this game could’ve put anyone to sleep. The only thing that kept viewers watching was the goaltending. Maybe this game could’ve been more exciting, since New Jersey have scored 14 goals in their past three games.
The first two periods were complete domination by the Devils. They outhustled the Leafs at every chance, went for the puck and always did something with it. Unlike the Leafs, who would turn the puck over, and were slow breaking out of their own zone. The speed of the New Jersey players killed the Leafs defensively, and had them running around.
With eleven shots in the first period, the Devils at least got one by Toskala, just barely.
David Clarkson just stole the puck from Jeff Finger who was caught flat footed at the blue line, broke in alone, and as he got his shot off, was hooked and Finger went flying into the net to knock it out of place, just as the puck hit the post and slid across the line due to the impact of the net moving.
In the end, the right call was made according to the rule book. If you watch a reply of that play, the puck would’ve stopped dead on the line if the net had not been shaken.
In the second period the game was real slow, tough really, to watch. Again the goaltending was very good, and the Leafs had their chances to score, but Brodeur stood in the way of that with some sharp saves.
The Devils could’ve added to their lead on a scramble, but Zach Parise shot over an empty net, with Toskala down.
The quick skating and passing of the Devils still had the Leafs, and they couldn’t do too much about it either. Toronto could only counter with okay scoring chances, and really couldn’t get a real offensive set going.
Even though the Devils out played the Leafs for most of the game and were out-shooting them 28-14, Toronto still hung around, played good defense at times, and scrapped together some chances.
Then finally some hockey, some good fast hockey began to take shape in the third period, and that happened without Tomas Kaberle who missed the entire period with an injury.
Toronto got an early power play chance, but that was negated as Nik Kulemin took a hooking penalty right off the face-off.
The Leafs did get a good chance to score, as Matt Stajan was sent in alone, but Paul Martin made a great diving poke check to eliminate that scoring chance.
The Leafs weren’t done there, and they finally got to work and scored to tie the game. John Mitchell scored off of some good hard work down low against the boards with Jason Blake. And Blake made the pass out front to an open Mitchell and scored.
But the Devils answered right back on a power play goal by Patrick Elias that was one timed right by Toskala.
The Leafs failed to clear the puck, and the Devils had the Leafs out of position and had them running around. Right before that goal by Elias, on the same power play Travis Zajac was absolutely robbed by Toskala with the double pad stack. Zajac was alone and with time, and Toskala got the better of him.
New Jersey was still in attack mode after that goal, even though they usually play more of defensive game with a lead in the third. Brian Gionta could’ve put the game out of reach had he not hit the post with Toskala down and out. If Gionta only had a longer stick that would’ve been a goal.
Toronto came right back, and stayed with playing the puck along the boards and the dump and chase style. Now New Jersey sort of looked out of place and took a penalty, just their third of the game.
The Leafs didn’t score, but it was a dangerous looking power play with plenty of chances to score. Eight seconds after the power play expired, the Devils took another penalty and this time the Leafs scored, just five seconds into the power play.
One of the hotter Leafs on the team, Pavel Kubina wired a shot on goal right off the clean face-off win, but was deflected off a players skate and bounced right to John Mitchell, who was in the right place at the right time, and had an open net to score on.
That goal was John Mitchell’s seventh of the year and second multiple goal game of the year. With still half the game left to play New Jersey got back to their game and limited Toronto’s chances after that. Of the 18 shots that went Toskala’s way, only one got by him, and he ended up facing 53 shots, including seven in overtime.
In the extra five minutes, Toskala stood on his head and through the first 60, and made a nice save on Zach Parise who had two shots to score all alone in front, but couldn’t jam one home.
The Devils with all their shots, and great play knew they could get this game and did with just 12 seconds left to go in overtime. After 50 great saves, Toskala wasn’t able to tighten up on a Brian Gionta slap shot on a two on one rush, and the puck slowly trickled toward the goal. Johnny Oduya poked the past the line and ended the game.
It was a tough ending no doubt, and the Leafs’ four game win streak.
The opinions and thoughts expressed in this or any other article written by 12nadnuk are of his thinking and what he thinks is correct or close to it in the sporting world. If there are any problems by anyone, 12nadnuk is open for rebuttal and what not, and honest criticism. There is also a comments section, so feel free to post what is on your mind about the article. Thank you for reading.
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