Leafs Win Two in A Row In Buffalo – Are You Kidding Me?

Going into last night’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, the Leafs were faced with a must win situation if they still wanted to entertain thoughts of home ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and maintain an outside chance of winning their division. The Leafs came through with an excellent effort playing solid defensively and took care of the defensive zone first. Chad Kilger eventually scored the game winning goal late in the third period by jamming in a rebound at the side of the goal. In the process, Ed Belfour played tremendously registering his seventy-fourth shutout of his career and his ninth this year. Last night’s win also marked the first time in over ten years the Maple Leafs had won two games in a row in Buffalo.

With last night’s win, the Leafs have the control of home ice advantage in their hands. A win tonight in Ottawa will clinch home ice for the Maple Leafs. To win the division, a win tonight is mandatory. The Leafs would also need some help from the New Jersey Devils by defeating the Bruins in their home and home series that will be played tonight and tomorrow. Last night’s game also marked the end of the road for the Buffalo Sabres as the New York Islanders defeated the Carolina Hurricanes last night clinching themselves a playoff spot.

Yet another major event in last night’s game was that it would be the final regular season game for two of the NHL’s legendary officials. Ray Scampinelo, who officiated his twenty-five hundredth game last night and Terry Gregson will both be retiring at the end of the season. Gregson did his final game last night while Scampinelo will still get a few playoff games to do. It certainly will be different next year without two of the best officials the game has ever seen.

The Leafs will finish out the regular season tonight in Ottawa with home ice advantage and possibly the North East division title on the line.