The fans in Leafs Nation are getting more and more things to cheer about lately. With a big win tonight against the Islanders, the Buds moved ever closer to that coveted 8th playoff spot.
The Islanders, before tonight, sat a few points behind the Leafs, and with a one goal deficit, playing without Sundin and Antropov, the Leafs rallied back in the 3rd and came out with a 3-1 victory.
The only thing that doesn't benefit us is that Philly won too, so really we we are right back where we were before this game even began. 6 points out.
After a bouncing puck bamboozled the Leafs' netminder, they battled back, led by the infamously under-producing Wellwood. I said before that they only way the Leafs will even have a chance at that 8th spot is if Wellwood, Steen and Stajan step up. Steen and Wellwood have now done their jobs in two separate games. It's time for Stajan to do his, perhaps this friday vs. the Sabres.
The Leafs' D looked much better tonight than in recent games, they played a feisty and intense brand of defence, a nice refreshment from their usual sloppy and limp brand. The boys gave Toskala some good coverage and he himself was, besides the one video game-esque goal, stellar with 27 saves.
The Buds put up 25 pretty good shots, and were a little heartbroken as to the injury to Carlo Coliacovo in the 1st, a player who's been plagued with them for a while now. Hope he speeds to recovery.
I liked the intensity from the boys tonight, the fact that they believe they can make the playoffs is slowly turning a city full of bitter hockey fans into a city of believers. With 8 games left and 6 points to go, they are hoping for a little slide from the Flyers and the Sabres, perhaps just a few games in a row which would really make this run a probable one.
If the Leafs do indeed make the playoffs, they will either face, it seems, Montreal, New Jersey, Pittsburgh or Ottawa. Any team they face will be a little wary of starting the post-season against them because of the sheer amount of momentum and hype surrounding the team. Any team who rallies in the home stretch of the season to make the playoffs by a few, especially one of the most popular in the entire NHL, will be feared by any opponent. A Toronto vs. Montreal matchup would be a great one, seeding an ancient rivalry, older than the last time the Leafs won a cup (hard to believe eh?)
The Leafs would have a surface edge over the Canadiens, more goal scoring talent with a healthy Sundin and Antropov, but the Canadiens do have more depth to their team, while the goaltender match-up would mark Toronto as the victor. It would, no doubt, be one hell of a series.
Toronto's hope stays alive with another win.
Next: vs. the Sabres this friday, the Leafs look to redeem themselves after last weeks humiliating 6-2 defeat.
Only time I'll say this all season, the Raptors could take a leaf out out the Buds' book tonight regarding their teamwork and defence that won them this game.
Go Leafs Go.
