Canadiens Edge Leafs With Late Goal

Back and forth went the score of last night’s game between the Maple Leafs and the Canadiens. The Leafs twice held one goal leads but were unable to hold onto them due to some defensive breakdowns forced by the energetic Canadiens. The Canadiens played a very high paced, energetic game, beating the Leafs in many one on one battles with great speed and determination. This was never more clearly evident than on the game winning goal as Yanic Perreault managed to flip the puck over Ed Belfour with Robert Reichel draped all over him.

This game marked the Leafs’ second straight loss putting them farther out of contention for first place in their division. A conference title is all but out of reach now as Tampa Bay sits in first place with a seven point lead on the Leafs. Earlier in the season, many stressed the importance finishing in one of the top three positions to get an easier first round opponent. Now with only ten games remaining, it is becoming more apparent that there really is not a weak team in the top eight of the Eastern Conference which diminishes the value of a division or conference title. Even with a division title, as it stands now, the Leafs would end up playing the Islanders, Devils or Canadiens from first through third, respectively.

If the Leafs still intend to pursue a division title, winning their next two games against Buffalo on Monday and Boston, the current Northeast Division leader, on Tuesday are pivotal.