Leafs Let Another Lead Evaporate

Last night, the Maple Leafs ended their week of action against the Chicago Blackhawks in much the same fashion as they started it back on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. In both games, the Maple Leafs began the third period up by two goals and both times, they allowed that lead to evaporate. Giving up leads late in games is becoming a very disturbing trend of this year’s edition of the Maple Leafs, now having done it in four separate games in the second period or later.

The Maple Leafs built a 3-1 lead over the Blackhawks on two breakaway goals from Mats Sundin and Tomas Kaberle’s third goal of the season and seemed as though they were well on their way to a second straight victory. Andrew Raycroft, a somewhat surprise starter after Vesa Toskala turned in a strong performance in winning fashion against the Panthers on Thursday, was arguably as strong as he has ever been for the Maple Leafs in the first two periods. However in the third, Raycroft, along with the rest of his cohorts infront of him, seemed to tighten up as soon as Andrei Zyuzin scored on a power play to pull Chicago to within one goal. Less than thirty seconds later, the Blackhawks tied it on Duncan Keith’s first goal of the season. Patrick Sharp picked up what turned out to be the game winner on a power play at 11:47.

Throughout the season, the Maple Leafs have preached that they must avoiding a constant parade to the penalty box but so far, they do not seem to be heeding their own advice. Tonight’s game was a perfect example of taking too many penalties allowing the Blackhawks to score on four out of seven power play opportunities. Despite the Blackhawks not scoring on it, Alexei Ponikarovsky took the most costly penalty with just under a minute remaining in the game with the Maple Leafs down only one goal preventing the team from a six on five situation with Andrew Raycroft on the bench. Conversely, the Blackhawks exhibited sterling discipline taking only one minor penalty.

The Maple Leafs will likely face their sixth consecutive backup netminder when they take on the Atlanta Thrashers on Tuesday night. Starter Kari Lehtonen’s participation is in jeopardy after he tweaked his groin late last week.