Senators Tie Series; Leafs Loose Sundin

Nearing the end of the first period of game four holding a 2-1 series lead, a 1-0 lead in the game and playing infront of a goaltender who had not allowed a goal for over seven periods of hockey, everything seemed to be in order for the Maple Leafs to bring the Senators to their knees in the series with a win in game four.

With a faceoff in the Leafs’ zone late in the first period, everything came tumbling down. The puck was won back to the corner where it was thrown around the boards for Tomas Kaberle who miss played it allowing the Senators to start a forecheck. He let his man, Daniel Alfredsson, go to the net and a quick pass from behind the goal was tapped in for the game tying marker. This goal probably could not have come at a worse time for the Leafs. Had they taken the lead into the first intermission, the Senators would likely have been very discouraged after again outplaying the Leafs but coming out on the wrong side of the scoreboard. Instead, this goal allowed them to gain confidence and saw them come out like a team determined to tie the series. The Leafs were unable to generate any kind of a response to the Senators’ energized play and consequently lost by a score of 4-1.

The Leafs medical room is suddenly beginning to fill up again as well. Joe Nieuwendyk did not start tonight’s game and had flown back to Toronto earlier this afternoon with what is thought to be a recurrence of his back pain. Darcy Tucker got banged around as well tonight and is clearly labouring in pain despite showing incredible determination and heart which he should be commended for. He left midway through the third period with an undisclosed injury. Perhaps the most concerning injury though was the apparent knee or ankle injury Sundin suffered in the third period after sliding heavily into the boards. Sundin did not return after struggling to the bench but did walk out of the Corel Centre on his own after the game. It is tough to speculate as to what might be wrong as it could be anything from a bad sprain or twist which would be a good scenario to something terrible like ligament damage which most certainly would spell the end of Sundin’s season. Not to be forgotten is Owen Nolan who is also on the shelf with a knee injury.

Loosing Sundin for a great length of time would be a huge blow to the Leafs as they have not been getting production from any other lines. Whether or not Sundin is out of the lineup, more players must step up and contribute offensively or the worst could be in sight.

The Leafs will return home for game five and try to retake the lead of the series on Friday.