Leafs Fall Again In Shootout

Since its inception into the NHL’s regular season following the lockout, the shootout has been one aspect of the game that the Maple Leafs have been unable to conquer. So far this season, nothing has changed for the Maple Leafs who are now losers of both of their two shootouts after falling by a score of 3-2 in a shootout to the New York Rangers on Saturday night. The Maple Leafs have scored only once on five shots in shootouts this season while Vesa Toskala has allowed four goals on five shootout attempts.

In the annual Hall of Fame Game, the Maple Leafs put forth a much more effective home ice effort compared to recent performances at Air Canada Centre. Though they were not as strong as they were a night earlier in Buffalo, the Maple Leafs did do a good job of containing the Rangers talented forwards while generating some quality offensive opportunities. After a scoreless first period, the Maple Leafs came out soft in the second period allowing the Rangers to quickly build a 2-0 lead on goals from Brendan Shanahan and Sean Avery. Late in the middle frame, Alexei Ponikarovsky scored twice to draw the Maple Leafs even heading into the third period.

Both teams had chances to take the lead in the third period but both Vesa Toskala and Ranger netminder Stephen Valiquette were solid down the stretch. Overtime did not solve anything sending the game to a shootout. Nik Antropov and Mats Sundin were unable to score for the Maple Leafs while Brendan Shanahan and Marcel Hossa converted their attempts for the Rangers.

Pavel Kubina left the game in the second period complaining of a sore knee. At this point his status is probable for Tuesday. Prior to the game during the warmup, the two teams nearly came to blows with Sean Avery right in the middle of the disagreement. Later in the first period, Avery and Darcy Tucker settled the matter in a spirited tilt that saw both combatants land several punches.

The Maple Leafs will be off until Tuesday when they will take on the Montreal Canadiens at Air Canada Centre.