Leafs Can’t Close The Deal As Thrashers Battle Back Late In Third

For about 52 minutes during the Leafs contest with the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday night, it looked as though the team in blue was in complete control. The Leafs played very well through the first two periods and into the third both defensively and offensively; however, at the 11:57 mark of the third period, the Leafs found a way to literally implode in less than 30 seconds.

The Maple Leafs were, once again, on pace to hold their opponents to under 20 shots. It also looked as though Ed Belfour was well on his way to adding another shutout to his leading total among active netminders. Mark Savard had other ideas as his play all night long was strong and would eventually spark the Atlanta Thrashers comeback. With about 8:00 to play in the third period, after a long time was spent by the Thrashers in the Leafs zone controlling the puck, Savard peeled out into the slot and drilled a good shot over the shoulder of Ed Belfour. Within 22 seconds, the Thrashers had tied the game. Joe Nieuwendyk was unable to tie up his man on a wrap around attempt allowing him to come out in front to jam in the second chance.

Late in the game, undisciplined penalties were, once again, the route to defeat the Leafs chose to take. With under a minute left, Belfour took a roughing penalty putting the Leafs down two men. While this penalty did not come back to haunt them, another undisciplined hooking penalty taken by Mats Sundin in overtime canceling the Leafs power play for the remaining portion of the game would. This brought the total amount of players on each side down to three, something which is rarely seen and obviously, something teams do not practice on a regular basis. It was during this situation that Marc Savard would score his second goal of the game sealing a very impressive comeback by the inspiring Atlanta Thrashers.

From a Leafs perspective, they have nobody to blame but themselves for this implosion late in the game. The undisciplined penalties must stop and all twenty players must put forth a solid effort for 60 minutes. The line of Fitzgerald, Roberts and Nieuwendyk was probably the Leafs best line scoring both goals and creating a number of other chances. Perhaps most alarmingly was the injury that befell Nik Antropov. It has been reported that he has a shoulder separation; however, the severity has not yet been determined. Initial prognosis is that he could miss anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks which, for the development of coherency on the Leafs top line, is not good.