Maple Leafs Stun Senators With Shutout

Did anybody honestly see this coming? A 3-0 shutout victory over the Ottawa Senators - NHL’s strongest team thus far this season. For the Maple Leafs, last night’s victory went as far as to conjure up pre-lockout memories of when the Battle of Ontario rivalry was at its peak. It was a flawless effort where many of the consistent mistakes that have been made throughout the season disappeared. Confidence is paramount in order to defeat a top team and somehow, despite a terribly lacklustre effort against the Boston Bruins on Thursday night, the Maple Leafs were able to find some as they played like a tremendously confident group.

Their power play, for a change, looked dangerous throughout the game scoring twice on four opportunities. Darcy Tucker scored what turned out to be the game winning goal on the man advantage with forty five seconds remaining in the second period when he shoveled in a rebound off a Bryan McCabe point shot. Mats Sundin grew the lead to 2-0 at 6:43 of the third period with a drive from the top of the circle: that goal also coming on the power play. Jiri Tlusty put the game out of reach with just over four minutes remaining when he scored his third goal of the season.

Vesa Toskala made his return to the lineup after a two game absence dealing with a bout of the flu. Facing twenty four shots, Toskala was outstanding in shutting out a Senators team that had gone sixty seven consecutive regular season games with at least one goal. The Maple Leafs were far more efficient in their defensive zone but when called upon, Toskala came up with several big stops to keep the Senators off the board. Arguably, his best save of the game came late in the third period on a two on one led by Daniel Alfredsson caused after Andy Wozniewski pinched at the offensive blueline in an attempt to keep the puck in the Senators zone. Alfredsson held onto the puck and attempted a backhand to the short side but Toskala threw up the blocker and controlled the rebound preserving his shutout.

The good Bryan McCabe was back as well against the Senators playing a rugged thirty plus minutes and leading the Maple Leafs’ physical presence with six hits. He also picked up two helpers assisting on Darcy Tucker and Mats Sundin’s goals.

Despite this confidence building victory over one of the NHL’s best teams, it leads Maple Leafs fans to wonder why this version of the Buds does not show up every game. Maybe it is easy to get up for a glamour game against a bitter rival with a national audience watching on television but then again, the Maple Leafs do not often have their way with the Senators. Should they be able to harness this effort and carry it through the course of a month, it would do a lot to keep their playoff aspirations a reality.

The Maple Leafs will get another look at the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night at Air Canada Centre before heading to the south western United States to take on the Dallas Stars and Phoenix Coyotes next Friday and Saturday respectively.