Leafs Just Keep On Rolling

The Maple Leafs did not get to bed last night until around 3:00am giving them little time to recuperate after their victory in Ottawa last night but it did not seem to slow them up at all. Though the Leafs did not score the first goal of the game for the first time in seven games, they took the lead quite quickly and never looked back. Mats Sundin reached a milestone in tonight’s game by achieving his 700th point as Leaf on the game winning goal.

Trevor Kidd returned to NHL action tonight with a tremendous game, one that certainly was not expected. After having surgery to repair a shoulder injury that had been bothering him for about three years, Kidd said after the game that his shoulder felt the best it has in quite a while. He looked very good especially in the third period when the Rangers were pressing hard to tie the game. He showed a lot of confidence both playing the puck and challenging shooters. The factor that made his return even more difficult was the fact that he did not receive a shot until seven minutes had been played in the first period. This is extremely difficult for a netminder returning to the lineup. Often a lot of work early in the game is best for them as it prevents them from beginning to think and question their ability

Gary Roberts left tonight’s game after one period of play suffering an apparent lower body injury. As specific as this description from the Maple Leafs is, it is not known whether Roberts’ injury will keep him out of the lineup long term or if it is just a slight aggravation of a previous injury. Hopefully Roberts will not be out long term as Mogilny and Antropov are still trying to recover from serious long term injuries of their own.

The Leafs will take on the same New York Rangers on Tuesday at Air Canada Centre, part of the four games in twenty-seven days these two teams will play. With the animosity that was built up in tonight’s game, specifically from a tilt with Nolan and Barnaby and some gritty play from Darcy Tucker, it should promise to be a spirited match on Tuesday.