Toronto Maple Leafs: Return of the "Heart Attack Kids"

During March, the Maple Leafs have played in an incredible seven overtime games.

Lightning-quick forwards and a young defensive corps have been providing some exiting, if not excruciatingly pulse-pounding hockey as of late. And because of their relative youth, there is no reason to expect them to let up any time soon.

The term 'heart attack kids' was used a few years ago to describe a Toronto Maple Leafs team that played five games during the same month requiring extra time.

Of course, that year the Leafs finished one point out of the playoffs thanks to a shootout win by the Islanders over the New Jersey Devils.

Since March 6, the Leafs have gone 8-3. Three of the eight wins have been in shootouts, while three others have come in overtime play. The last one, of course, being against Atlanta Thursday night.

With a new leadership core, a new veteran presence in Jean-Sebastien Giguere, and an ever growing list of prospects, the Leafs seem poised for a good run over the next several years.

While I'll admit that the current roster just isn't going to cut it right now, there is no reason to believe that it won't be able to with a little more growth and experience.

If it is any consolation to everyone in Leafs Nation, there is another reason for optimism. Winning seems to be cyclical with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

In the early '80s, '90s, and the first part of the turn of the century, the Leaf's were consistently competitive and did pretty well in the playoffs. This piece of Leaf's history bears mention of course, because we are only a couple of years from being in that same time frame. And ironically enough, the year 2012 will be either year three or four (depending whether you include Burke's half season) of the five-year rebuilding plan.

By that time, the team should start becoming a perennial contender— according to Burke himself.

Be sure to catch me live with my friend Louis Pisano as I co-host Get The Puck Out on Morency Sports! Tonight at 6 p.m. Eastern.

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