Toskala, Sundin Lead Leafs To Victory

If only a bounce could have gone a different way in one of their first two regular season games against the Ottawa Senators, the Maple Leafs may not have faced the possibility of opening their season winless in three straight games going into their first Saturday night match up against the Montreal Canadiens. But of course, they did not get a break in their favour during that season opening home and home series and as a result, two fine efforts against the defending Eastern Conference Champions went for not. As legendary Maple Leafs’ broadcaster Joe Bowen likes to say, “If “ifs” and “buts” were candies and nuts, we’d all have a Merry Christmas.” Regardless of how absurd that phrase may or may not be, it quiet accurately explains that there is no use complaining about what might have been. Instead just get down to business and control what you can.

That is exactly what the Maple Leafs did when they welcomed the Montreal Canadiens into Air Canada Centre for the first time since ending the Habs’ playoff hopes with a win in the final regular season game of the 2006-2007 campaign. Vesa Toskala started in goal for the second consecutive game and built on a solid performance on Thursday in Ottawa coming up with solid saves down the stretch not seen from a Maple Leafs goaltender since the days when Eagles and Rabid Dogs patrolled the crease. He was at his best in overtime with the game on the line when the Maple Leafs were forced to kill off a Mats Sundin roughing penalty.

Once out of the penalty box, with the Maple Leafs on a man advantage of their own, Sundin would set up Tomas Kaberle for a blast from the point which beat Canadiens’ netminder Cristobal Huet giving them their first power play goal of the season and more importantly, their first win of the season. Despite picking up a roughing penalty, Sundin added to his effectiveness in this game by showing a willingness to get involved physically. With three assists on the night, Sundin is rolling at a two point per game pace with six points in his first three games.

The Maple Leafs, once again, showed their ability to fight back from behind overcoming two deficits against the Canadiens. Montreal would score first before Ian White tied it at one goal a side soon after. The Habs would then build a 3-1 lead but the Maple Leafs again fought back on two goals from Alexei Ponikarovsky after he was reunited with Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov; the line mates he ended last season with.

The Carolina Hurricanes roll into Air Canada Centre on Tuesday for a match up with the Maple Leafs starting at 7pm.