Third Try, Same Result

For the third game in a row, the Maple Leafs held a third period lead but again, they were not able to find a way to maintain that lead until the end of the game. Instead, the Leafs gave up the tying goal on a bad angle shot, a shot which Ed Belfour saves more often than not, and as like the result on opening day, the Leafs succumb to the Senators in a shootout. Now three games into the season without a victory, the Leafs are up against three more difficult opponents to close out the week with games against Philadelphia, Atlanta and Montreal this coming Tuesday, Friday and Saturday, respectively.

Ed Belfour, essentially the cornerstone to any success this Leafs team may have this season, looked shaky for the second game in a row tonight allowing three questionable goals. Uncharacteristically, Belfour seemed to be fighting the puck although the Leafs’ defense has certainly been anything but effective in the past two games. Backup Mikael Tellqvist may see his first action of the season tomorrow night in the second game of the Leafs’ back to back games.

Despite another disappointing result, there were some positives to draw on from tonight’s game. Eric Lindros continued his strong play of late showing a physical presence throughout the game. Tomas Kaberle easily had his best game of the year registering three assists and a plus one rating. Chad Kilger, Clarke Wilm, and Tie Domi also made strong contributions.

Tomorrow night, the Leafs will face no easy task as the Philadelphia Flyers will attempt to prevent them from picking up that elusive first win.