Leafs Get Back To Their Winning Ways

A heartbreaking overtime loss on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues did not keep the Leafs from regaining their confidence and putting themselves back in the win column with an impressive 1-0 road win against the Minnesota Wild. This was the Leafs second 1-0 win of the season, their first came back on October 18th against Montreal. Though the Leafs were outplayed at different times in last night’s game, they were able to come together late in the third period to turn aside Minnesota’s last efforts to tie the game. With the win last night, the Leafs became the second team along with Philadelphia to reach the forty point plateau. This sits them in second place in the eastern conference standings and second overall.

Ed Belfour was phenomenal throughout the game making twenty-eight saves which included at least twelve good scoring chances. His best save came with just under two minutes remaining when the Leafs defense suffered a breakdown which left Richard Park all alone infront of Belfour on the right wing. From behind the net, Park took a centering pass and quickly wired a shot that Belfour came across the net to snag with his glove. Belfour played one of his best games all year and really looks to be falling into a groove.

Tom Fitzgerald scored the Leafs goal atoning for his late penalty in Tuesday’s game against St. Louis. Fitzgerald had a very solid game scoring the goal and playing very well as usual on the defensive end providing a key shot block late in the third period.

The Leafs will take on the New York Rangers on Saturday marking the two teams’ third meeting in the last two weeks. The animosity was high in the last two games which could lead to a very spirited game tomorrow.