Antropov Gets Leafs Back In Win Column

Following a heartbreaking loss in Buffalo on Monday night in which they surrendered a two goal lead, the Maple Leafs returned home Thursday to take on the Florida Panthers and this time, they would be the team to spoil a two goal lead coming back to from an early deficit to win 3-2. In keeping with their trend set early on this season, nobody could say for sure which version of the Maple Leafs would show up tonight at Air Canada Centre but fortunately for their fans that have been growing ever more impatient, it was the energetic, aggressive team that is so much more difficult to play against.

There were concerns though that the Maple Leafs were in for another discouraging outing after falling down two goals by the ten minute mark of the first period. To their credit, they returned to the style of play that has led them to success this season by skating well, being aggressive, establishing a solid forecheck in the offensive zone and limiting their trips to the penalty box. Defensive play was much improved against the Panthers in this game than compared with the third period against Buffalo, tonight backed by another solid goaltending performance from Vesa Toskala. Florida had several good chances to retake the lead in the third period but Toskala was able to come up with big saves down the stretch to keep the Maple Leafs in a position to win.

Bryan McCabe silenced his critics for at least one night with arguably his best performance of the season scoring the tying goal and rediscovering his rugged style on defense. He looked far surer of himself in the defensive zone, utilizing his size and throwing his body around to lead the Maple Leafs with five hits in the game.

As the game appeared headed to overtime, Nik Antropov scored the game winner with twenty seven seconds left propelling the Maple Leafs to their third win of the season. That goal gave Antropov his fourth consecutive game with at least a goal and an assist and keeps him up near the top of the league in scoring.

The Maple Leafs get back in action on Saturday night when they host the Chicago Blackhawks in a very rare visit to the Air Canada Centre.