BE-LEAF-ABLE

Despite a superb 34 save performance of Leaf Goaltender, J.S. Aubin on Thursday night, the Toronto Maple Leafs are coming off of a 2-1 Overtime loss to the Boston Bruins, and now look to steer back on course tonight when they host the rival New Jersey Devils (7:00PM ET start, CBC).

The Leafs were riding a 4 game winning-streak and had won 6 of their last 7 games before the loss, and may of missed an opportunity to close the gap in between them and the Northeast Division and League leading Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo is currently leading by 7 points (33) and have 2 games in hand of Toronto, while the Montreal Canadiens trail the Leafs by 3, and have 2 games in hand.

Defenceman Pavel Kubina returned and played his first game since injuring is knee in early October, but a mediocre effort by the Leafs was too much to overcome, as Toronto was outshot 36-25 by the struggling Bruins. Boston wa coming off of a 3-2 Shootout win over the Washington Capitals.

Bryan McCabe scored for Toronto, and Phil Kessel and Patrice Bergeron scored the 2 for Boston.

Toronto is 11-5-4 through 20 games for 4th in the Eastern Conference, and have just two more points than they did last year.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-m...html#post15849

Whether Raycroft will get the start tonight is still uncertain, but doubtful.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-m...lutely-no.html

Darcy Tucker leads the team in goals with 11, while Kyle Wellwood has 15 assists through the 1st quarter of the season.

J.S. Aubin has a deceptive 3.21 Goals Against Average and .891 Save Percentage.

Meanwhile, the game with be the last half of back-to-back games for the New Jersey Devils, who defeated the struggling Ottawa Senators 3-2 last night.

Sophomore Zach Parise leads the team with 17 points in 18 games (including 8 goals and 4 points in the last 2 games), as the Devils have won 5 of their last 6 games, and lead the Atlantic Division with 23 points.

Martin Brodeur continues to be the backbone of the team with a 2.50 Goals Against Average and a .909 Save Percentage.

New Jersey is 11-6-1 after 18 games and are third in the Eastern Conference.

The middle of the 2nd period of tonight's game will be the official 1/4 mark of Toronto's season.

Related Topic: http://www.hockeyforum.com/toronto-m...-20-games.html

__________________
"It's not the way it's going to be. We have to be very, very patient and build this the right way. We have to go through a process. It may be painful. I hope it isn't. But we're prepared for all the bumps and pratfalls and potholes in the road ahead. I'm prepared for it anyway, or I wouldn't have come." - Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Leafer4Life

Leafs lose 2-1 to the devils. :(

BE-LEAF-ABLE

Yes. A typical Tor-NJD game.

The trap, and Brodeur. Can't do much about it, but keep hoping this new Leaf team starts trying to solve it again.

Telly got the start because Aubin was out with the flu.

THe Leafs outhsot New Jersey 34-19, but they weren't able to produce the goals, glad to see Tucker spoil the shutout though.

He's got 12 on the year.

Toronto has to be careful now, Carolina stole home-ice, and Montreal is just 1 point back in the standings.

__________________
"It's not the way it's going to be. We have to be very, very patient and build this the right way. We have to go through a process. It may be painful. I hope it isn't. But we're prepared for all the bumps and pratfalls and potholes in the road ahead. I'm prepared for it anyway, or I wouldn't have come." - Ron Wilson, Head Coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs.