Rigamarole - A Foot In The Crease - Episode 2.20
www.afootinthecrease.com
So here the Maple Leafs sit, as they enter into a week long layoff for the NHL all star festivities, in a three way tie for 8th place in the Eastern Conference. Perhaps not as good a position as the Leafs would like to be in but nevertheless it’s spot many predicted they would not be within arms reach of come this time of the season. When you look back over the last month and realize the amount of top players they have been without, it is even more impressive that the Maple Leafs still hold their collective heads above water. For a good two week stretch, the Leafs were without Antropov, Ponikarovsky, Tucker, Wellwood, Peca, and White and looked toward guys like Ondrus, Newbury, Deveraux and Westrum to keep the walls from tumbling down. Some of the injured players have returned but Tucker, Wellwood, Peca and White still remaining out of the lineup. The week off will no doubt help them get closer to returning.
In addition, Mats Sundin, since a tremendous effort on New Year’s Day has been cold of late. Players go through slumps at times during the year and Sundin seems to be going through his right now. The good news for the Maple Leafs is that even with Sundin cooling off of late, that too has not been enough to derail their playoff aspirations. The week of rest will also be a benefit to Sundin, who at 36 years old, will certainly welcome the time to rejuvenate for the stretch run.
Despite losing big to Pittsburgh Saturday night, the fact is the score was irrelevant. Whether it was 8-2 or 2-1, it was a loss for the Maple Leafs. The point is though being in a tie for 8th place at the all star break after having to go through all the adversity they faced over the past month is what’s really important. The Maple Leafs could have been prebooking golfing trips for mid April but instead the race for the playoffs continues. If the Leafs had of been asked a month ago if they’d take the position they are in right now, you’re darn right they’d take it. But hey, all that was just rigamarole.
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