Leafs Find Away To Win Again

The Maple Leafs may not have been at their best every game throughout the last month, but they have always been able to hang around in games until they got the break they needed pull out a good result. They were able to pull off another win tonight against the Montreal Canadiens; however, during certain parts of the game, they did look as though the game might get away from them. Although just as the Maple Leafs have been doing throughout their streak of consecutive games earning at least one point, they hung around until Mats Sundin was able to give the Leafs the lead with thirty-five seconds to go.

Ed Belfour made his return to the Leafs net tonight and played very well as usual, making several key saves to keep the game in reach for the Maple Leafs. Although Belfour is often a very good puck handler, he had a minor episode of panic when he lost the puck in the corner and it was sent into the slot with the Leaf netminder a considerable distance from the net. A scramble in the empty goal crease began and inevitably ended with a strong play by Rick Jackman who managed to keep the puck out of his net until Belfour made it back on the scene.

Midway through the third period when the Canadiens looked to be taking control of the game, they took a penalty sending the Leafs to the power play. On the ensuing power play, Joe Nieuwendyk took control of the puck on the left wing at the blueline and was able to work the puck around the net and out infront to none other then Wade Belak who had come off the point to snap in a quick shot to tie the game. This was Belak’s first goal of the year and it certainly came at the right time perhaps giving Belak some more confidence as he continues to improve his nightly contribution.

Montreal’s first goal occurred on the power play thus marking the second game in a row the Leafs have given up a power play goal. This indicates just how important Tomas Kaberle and Aki Berg are to the penalty killing unit and how difficult it is for players who are not familiar with the system used to kill penalties to step in and do a good job.

The Leafs will take on the Florida Panthers in their final game before Christmas and on Boxing Day, the Leafs will play their divisional rival, the Boston Bruins.