Aubin and Caron Puzzle Leafs

In shared effort, Jean-Sebastien Aubin and Sebastien Caron helped carry the Penguins to a surprise 3-2 win over the Maple Leafs. The Maple Leafs were certainly not stingy offensively as they threw forty-six shots at the Penguins goal including twenty-six in the third period. Each time it looked as though the Leafs had a sure goal, the Penguins goaltenders would come up with an exceptional save. By the end of the game, the Leafs seemed frustrated as they could not find away to beat the Penguins goalies.

Ron Francis made his Leafs debut last night on a line with Owen Nolan and rookie Matt Stajan who, when Francis first started in the NHL, was not yet born. The line looked very effective generating numerous quality scoring chances but was unable to convert on any of their opportunities. Francis displayed his exceptional faceoff skills winning eleven of sixteen draws.

Trevor Kidd started the game for the Maple Leafs and made fourteen saves on seventeen shots. Two of the three goals were somewhat questionable causing the backup goaltending issue to rage on. It is very clear that the Leafs defense misses the excellent puckhandling skills of Ed Belfour when he is not in goal; consequently, the Leafs seem to have much more trouble moving out of the zone in an organized fashion when Kidd plays. This loss against the worst team in the NHL which dropped Kidd to a record of 5-5-2 on the season will definitely not help his confidence level. It also shows Leafs management that the health of Ed Belfour is paramount if the Leafs intend to make a serious run for the Stanley Cup.

The Maple Leafs will take on the Montreal Canadiens tomorrow at the Bell Centre and then will go to Buffalo to play the always troubling Sabres. They will return home on Tuesday for a tremendously important game against their divisional rival, Boston Bruins.