Toronto Maple Leafs Gain Valuable Point at Home Against Sabres.

The Toronto Maple Leafs picked a valuable point in the Eastern Conference standings, but defensive gaffs and soft goals are beginning to expose themselves on a regular basis and must be addressed for the Leafs to move ahead.

The line of Mikhail Grabovski, Clark MacArthur and Nikolai Kulemin have carried the offense of the Toronto Maple Leafs over the last three games, three games which, for the most part, have been much better than the previous three.

Grabovski's line has produced ten points in the last three games and has scored five of the eight goal the Leafs have scored over that time. Compare that to the 'top line' of Kessel, Bozak and Versteeg, who have scored just once in three games and contributed just four points, and you get, well, a new top line. 

The Bozak line has drawn the attention of many who are wondering where they've disappeared to. Coach Ron Wilson had this to say,

"They're not producing any offense, and in fact their effort is a little off," Wilson said of the line. "They don't get any offense because they're basically not working hard enough defensively."

Mikhail Grabovski is once again in the top ten in the league in plus minus at plus eight and also leads the Maple Leafs in that category. Clark MacArthur who leads the team in scoring with 11 points and seven goals, is second in plus/minus at a plus six.

Though a defensively sound team for the most part, which is a bit of a departure from the beginning of last season, the Leafs' defense really needs to be more aware in their own zone and especially around their own net.

The tying goal last night, regardless of the fact that it ricocheted off of Luke Schenn's skate, would not have been scored had Francois Beauchemin been aware of Hecht's presence behind him.

Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who is currently tied for 13th in the league in goals against average at a very respectable 2.31 is also guilty and has to accept some responsibility for the Leafs' inability to earn a win recently. He's allowing a couple of questionable goals during the Leafs' winless drought, however, he is quick to down play the hardships the team currently faces.

"We're a young team and we're going to have to learn," says Giguere, "You don't go from 29th place in the league (last season) to a playoff spot right away. You need to learn before you get to that point."