Leafs Left Looking For Signs of Life In Desert

A night after giving up another lead against the Dallas Stars, the Toronto Maple Leafs traveled to Phoenix for a rare visit with the Coyotes. While they were there in the physical sense, where they were mentally is still a question without an answer. This game was essentially over before the halfway point of the first period with the Coyotes pouncing on the Maple Leafs to build an early 3-0 lead. At times, it appeared that the Coyotes were merely toying with the Maple Leafs who struggled again mightily in their defensive zone. Despite pulling Andrew Raycroft after two goals in favour of Vesa Toskala and calling a time out to give his team a verbal tongue lashing after giving up a third goal, Paul Maurice was left at a loss as he attempted to stop the bleeding and salvage something positive from this game.

Andrew Raycroft got his first start since losing to the Boston Bruins back on November 15th and put in arguably his worst performance this season. Allowing two goals on seven shots, Raycroft’s rebound control was atrocious, the leading cause of Phoenix’s first two goals. His confidence appears to be at an all time low begging the question of whether he would benefit from a stretch with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL. Conversely, Scott Clemmensen’s inspired start to the season picking up eight wins in ten starts certainly has made him a worthy candidate for a look with the Maple Leafs.

Apart from a Kyle Wellwood goal late in the first period, the Maple Leafs rarely tested Ilya Bryzgalov who remains undefeated in four starts since being picked up on waivers from the Anaheim Ducks. Much of their lack of offense was the result of an alarming inability to breakout of their own zone effectively, both at even strength and with the man advantage. Instead of an organized march up the ice, the Maple Leafs breakout looked more like a jailbreak devoid of any communication between players resulting in numerous turnovers and no speed through the neutral zone.

Following the game, John Ferguson Jr. emerged from a lengthy meeting with Paul Maurice and assured that the Maple Leafs would stay the course with the current coaching staff. However, if the Maple Leafs continue to fall further out of playoff contention over the next two weeks, it will be interesting to see just how long a leash both Maurice and Ferguson himself have to work with.

The Maple Leafs will attempt to right the ship at home on Tuesday night when they will take on the Montreal Canadiens.