Let's start this thing off by saying that the Leafs absolutely destroyed the Habs last night in Montreal. The game was broadcast nationally by TSN and by midway through the third period, Pierre Maguire actually said the Canadiens were playing a "complete stinkbomb" of a game. Ahhh... music to my ears.
Any member of Leafs Nation knows that it wasn't so much a stinker by the Habs, as it was a complete, defensively sound road game by the Buds.
After the first period, the Leafs received a scare as Jonas Gustavsson's night was cut short after the netminder experienced an elevated heart rate. The Monster had undergone a procedure for that very condition just 2 months ago, but clearly he did not feel himself after the opening frame and was forced to be taken to hospital for precautionary concerns. Any time I witness anything in sports with relation to heart problems I can understand the cause for a little panic, as this is not a typical injury or illness. TSN's Maguire actually referred to the same type of situation that forced #66 from the game only a few years ago.
I, along with the rest of Leafs Nation, wish the Monster a speedy recovery and hopefully he can get this thing sorted out and continue what looks to be a promising career.
Due to the Monsters ailment, the Leafs were forced to throw Joey Macdonald between the pipes for the remainder of the game. This undoubtedly sent a bit of a scare through Leafs Nation, as I clearly remember the early portion of the year when the Buds were being pummeled night in and night out. This was no fault of Mac, though he was definitely less than stellar. The players in front of him played with zero confidence. I feared the same last night, but I remembered a segment of Coach's Corner (or Coach's Room, as Ovey refers to it) over a month ago, in which Don Cherry praised Macdonald and said he would turn out to be solid between the pipes when given the chance, despite the early season meltdown.
Well, Grapes was right again, as Macdonald played quite well in a pressure packed game with the hated rivals to preserve the shut-out and the W for the somewhat surging Leafs. I can imagine that most hockey fans, like myself, take Cherry's opinions for what they are: funny, sometimes right, sometimes wrong, and always entertaining. Lets just hope that if Macdonald is between the pipes for the next few upcoming games, Don's predictions remain correct. Vesa Toskala still looks to be injured and it is uncertain when he will be back to the starting job. Until then, the reigns are in the hands of Macdonald, and his likely backup, James Reimer, who is currently ranked 15th in the American Hockey League with a GAA of 2.29 and a solid 0.925 Save%.
Another thing that caught my eye last night was the outstanding play of Colton Orr. The former New York tough guy came through with a nice tally on a feed from Tomas Kaberle, and looked great when given ice-time. Orr and Primeau have really impressed so far this year. I just hope Wilson keeps sticking with those guys, along with Jamal Mayers and doesn't have to resort to Wallin again. These guys bring it every night, and definitely look to fit Burkes vision for a tough team, with a little bit of speed to boot.
Nikolai Kulemin also looked great last night, especially defensively. It would be nice to see him rewarded with goals a little more often but on the defensive side of the puck he prevented scoring chances, which he does on most nights for the Leafs.
Up next for the Leafs, a tangle with the Blue Jackets in Ohio on Thursday night. I watched the Jackets battle to a prolonged shootout with the Hawks last night, only to lose on a beauty goal by Chicago defenseman Brent Seabrook.
I'm assuming Macdonald will get the start on Thursday. Let's hope the Leafs can pull out a big win and continue their way up the Eastern Conference ladder.
