Toronto Maples Leafs?

At this juncture of the season it’s safe to say that the Toronto Maple Leafs need more than just moral victories. After rebuilding their blue line last summer with the acquisitions of Mike Komisarek, Francois Beauchemin and Garnet Exelby a lot more was expected from this Toronto team who thus far have won only three of their first 17 games. Even though a lot of Leafs fans were pointing to the fact that the team almost overcame a 3-0 deficit in their 3-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday, the bottom line is that they didn’t get a much needed two points. As we hit the quarter pole of the season Toronto sit eight points out of a playoff spot and need the wins not only to make up ground in the standings but to gain some much needed confidence. Besides for coming a goal short in their comeback attempt optimist in Leafs nation can point to the fact that slumping goalie Vesa Toskala who was getting his first start since October 31 made a lot of great saves on Friday and was solid in making 31 stops. That sure got the attention of Coach Ron Wilson who has been defending the veteran goalie all season. “Vesa has an outstanding night,” Wilson said. “There was nothing he could do on any of the goals. He made a dozen outstanding saves.” A third moral Toronto victory is that after Patrick Kane, Troy Brouwer and Duncan Keith scored for Chicago the Leafs newly prized acquisition Phil Kessel replied with both Toronto goals. This 22 year-old who became a Leaf at the beginning of the year now has four goals and six points in five games this year. Toronto’s near comeback was not a surprise to the Chicago Blackhawks who have 11 wins in their first 18 games. “You never relax,” Brouwer said. “It doesn’t matter where teams are in the standings. They can be dangerous at any time.” While it’s fine and dandy that there are some positives coming out of Leafs games the bottom line is that at the end of the day points are what gets a team into the playoffs. Something the Leafs desperately need.