Week 10

Since the Leafs 4 game losing skid a lot has happened to the organization since that time. They have seemed to change there ways and get back on to a sufficient 3 game winning streak  starting off with league power house Tampa Bay, then winning in Dallas and finish off with another win in Anaheim. These wins are critical as the Leafs just ended a 6 game road trip in which they needed to do well to stay on top of the leagues leader boards. Some other good news coming out of the Leafs organization, Leafs sniper Phil Kessel and defensemen Dion Phaneuf have been nominated for this year’s all-star game in Ottawa. This is a great way to show how the Leafs organization has turned around and making the best out of their future. However Leafs are still dealing with quite a bit of injuries, now with defensemen Mike Komisarek out with a broken arm and speedy Matthew Lombardi is supposedly out for the remainder of the season needing shoulder surgery. Looking ahead the leafs have 3 critical games coming up, with two back to back games against the defending league champions Boston Bruins and then finishing off Monday against the New York Rangers. The two back to back games against the Bruins will be critical in the definition of the Leafs, as the Bruins have slaughtered the Leafs in there past two meetings 6-2 and 7-0. If the Leafs come out with a win this weekend it would be great for the organization and show the league that the Leafs are back. 

Week 9

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in some hot water currently, with losing there last 4 games many of the critics doubt that they were the great team that started off the year. However they are not playing with the same team that they did at the beginning of the year. With number one net minder out still it is been very hard for the team to move forward as they are know 3-4-1 in their last 8 games. They seem to be lacking the same spark that they started the season with, still with forward Tim Connolly out of commission. It’s very difficult to watch them play know as they don’t seem to have much determination or drive that they started the season with.  The Leafs schedule is not getting any easier either with games coming up against the Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes. This is a bad time for the team to fall into a slump as competition is going to be very hard these next couple of games. Also new news around the league about goalie protection. Two of the league’s biggest names in the nets are out of injury due to player hits. Brian Burke of the Toronto Maple Leafs went public saying that the league needs to start putting more emphasis on protecting teams goalies as they are valuable assets to everyone team. This is very critical as hitting to the net minders should never be done however teams are doing anything for a win these days. 

Week 8

Over the past week much has happened in and around the NHL. Firstly the Toronto Maple Leafs held the first place position for a week and a bit, great to see. However due to their recent back to back to back loses against the defending champs the Boston Bruins, and lasts night defeat to the Florida Panthers they have slipped to 5^th in the league. The Leafs have been struggling without their number one net minder James Reimer, Jonas Gustavasson and Ben Scrivens have tried to fill the void however have been unsuccessful. That has not been the only bad news for the Leafs, as grinder Coby Armstrong is will out of the roster and know added to the injury reserve is Leafs first line center Tim Connolly with a upper body injury. To put more fuel to the fire Leafs youngster defensemen Luke Schenn was a healthy scratch during Saturdays night’s game against the Bruins, with a steady decline of ice time. Coach Ron Wilson isn’t impressed with the youngster’s game play from the beginning of the season so I guess he is trying to send a message to his players saying if you don’t produce you’re not going to play.  However on a positive note, Leafs rookie James Gardiner (21 years old) has been sensational with 5 points and averaging 20 minutes of ice time each game. He has shown that he is ready to play in the NHL and seems as if he has already been playing in the league for a couple years. This kid has a great future so look out for him to be a future leader for the Leafs.