Kings Fail To Finish Leafs Off

For the first forty minutes of last night’s game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Toronto Maple Leafs, it looked as though the Leafs were bound for another loss. The Kings were in control by a score of 4-1, not to mention outplaying the Leafs in the first two periods. The game, up to the end of the second period, was almost a carbon copy of Wednesday’s game against the Ducks. The opposition scored first followed by the tying goal by the Leafs. Then three unanswered goals would put the opposition in command by the end of the second period. The third period, however, was completely different in last night’s match.

Instead of packing in their effort for the night as they seemed to do against the Ducks, the Leafs came out for the third looking like an inspired and determined team. An early power play goal by Gary Roberts put the Leafs within two with over sixteen minutes to play. Alex Mogilny mounted the next attack as he essentially undressed the Kings defenseman and wired a hard shot past goaltender, Roman Cechmanek. The tying goal occurred on the power play as Reichel made an excellent cross ice pass to Owen Nolan who was easily able to tap it in. The key part of that play though, was not Reichel’s pass but Tomas Kaberle going hard to the net who acted as a decoy. Two Kings left their positions to cover him leaving Nolan all alone. Also, Cechmanek believed the pass was intended for Kaberle so he did not pay any attention to Nolan.

It was excellent to see this exceptional determination to fight their way back into the game. Many veterans like Mats Sundin, Alex Mogilny, Mikael Renberg, Gary Roberts, Owen Nolan, and Robert Reichel really stepped up and refused to quit. The power play on which the Leafs scored the tying goal resulted from good puck control by the Leaf’s number one line of Gary Roberts, Mats Sundin and Alex Mogilny. Sundin used is trademark wrap – around move to get infront of the net causing a King to haul him down drawing the penalty.

Since his return to the lineup, Mikael Renberg has played very well recording two goals and providing a little energy boost to the Leafs on this long road trip. Renberg’s trademark style of grinding it out and causing chances out of nothing is an invaluable asset to the team. Not only does he provide a lot of energy but he rarely looses a battle for the puck along the boards which ultimately leads to more scoring opportunities.

Mikael Tellqvist made his third start of the season playing very well when the game got tight. The four goals he did allow were more due to the result of poor defensive plays by his teammates. He certainly looks as though he is ready to assume the Leafs backup goaltending role if not this year, than certainly next year.

Karel Pilar made his return to the lineup after an eleven month absence due to a rather frightening infection that caused inflammation around his heart. There was no medication to help remedy this infection. Only rest and inactivity helped to calm down. Considering all of this, Pilar played fairly well in his return recording an even plus/minus.

The Leafs will carry on with their road trip on Saturday taking on the San Jose Sharks before they travel north to begin the Canadian part of the trip.