Leafs Ignite Oilers for 4 Goals

For about the last week now, the Toronto Maple Leafs have begun to play like the team everybody was expecting since the beginning of the season. Many of the players like Roberts, Nolan, Mogilny and Sundin who had gotten off to slow starts have begun to find their games once again. Ed Belfour is also falling into a groove, specifically over the past two games. In the tie against New Jersey, Belfour made several spectacular saves in the third period allowing Gary Roberts to score the tying goal. In tonight’s game against the Oilers, Belfour again was solid, making several saves early in the game that allowed the Leafs to get out to an early lead.

The Leafs played very well right from the start of the game, showing hustle and energy that was influential in getting off to a good start against a usually fast and exciting Edmonton Oilers team. The Oilers lacked their usual speed and offensive skill in tonight’s game and the Leafs were able to capitalize on a few of their early mistakes. Mats Sundin showed some of his trademark skill while scoring the team’s first goal. Beating his man across the ice, he was able to fight off a defender to the front of the net and throw a quick back hand shot over the shoulder of the his Team Sweden teammate, Tommy Salo.

Mogilny and Reichel took care of the rest of the scoring during the game. Mogilny added a power play goal with two seconds left in the first on a great shot from a poor angle. He added an empty net goal late in the game to seal the deal for the Leafs. Reichel got a strange one on a deflection from the point that went off three separate people before beating Tommy Salo.

The Leafs will head on a six game western North American road trip riding a four game unbeaten streak. A trip on the road of this length is never welcomed but it is falling at the best possible time for the Leafs as they have solidified their spot in the Eastern Conference standings.