Sundin Not Ready To Play
Both Mats Sundin and Nik Antropov skated by themselves today for about 15 minutes, however neither are expected to play tomorrow night when the Leafs open a home-and-home with the Bruins in Toronto.
Sundin skated hard on Saturday morning and looked close to a return, but today was a different story as the Leafs captain took a very light skate. Paul Maurice said following practice that there is no pressure on Sundin or Antropov and that when they are ready, they will tell him, and he will them insert them back into the lineup.
injured forwards John Pohl and Boyd Devereaux both skated today, and Devereaux appears to be poised to return for the opening game of the back-to-back tomorrow night. Pohl is still a little bit away from a return. The American born centre is still suffering from the effects of the ankle injury he suffered when he took an awful fall in a game against Carolina. It has also been a tough time for Pohl, whos younger brother recently underwent emergency brain surgery after being checked head first into the boards during a U.S college game. He is in good shape now though, and is expected to recover fully.
Is This It?
It has been said many times throughout the course of this trying Toronto Maple Leafs season, but can we truly, finally believe that this week is the Maple Leafs season? Are we finally set to get (one way or another) some clarity on whether this team is post season bound.
After a real good week that featured a couple of real gutsy wins in Buffalo and Ottawa, Toronto is just four points back of the 8th and final playoff spot, which is currently being held by the Boston Bruins. But the plot thickens.
The Leafs and Bruins play each other this week, twice, in a home-and-home series that begins in Toronto on Tuesday and ends in Boston Thursday night.
So, if the Maple Leafs sweep this back-to-back with the Bruins, they will be tied for the 8th and final playoff spot (of course barring what the other teams ahead of them do as well.)
They will also be tied in wins with 37 if Toronto can take both games. In such a scenario, the uses goals for in the tie break. Going into tomorrow's game Boston has 193 goals for, while Toronto has 217.
There is a chance that the Leafs could get away with earning three of a possible four points, but for all intensive purposes, the Leafs need all four points this week, which will bring them into a share of the 8th spot going into Saturday's tilt with Montreal.
Toskala Named Second Star
Toronto goalie Vesa Toskala has been named the's Second Star of the week. The Finnish netminder went 3-0-0 with a GAA of 2.00, and a save percentage of .940.
Despite letting in possibly the longest goal in history, that was actually shot on net while it was being tended to by a goalie, Toskala rebounded from the blunder nicely and helped Toronto to big wins over New York, Buffalo, and Ottawa.
Toronto Maple Leafs Community Leader
I just quickly wanted to let everyone know that I have been named the Toronto Maple Leafs community leader here on Bleacher Report.
I look forward to the job, and will take it seriously. I Know that there are plenty of talented writers here on the site, specifically in the Maple Leafs section and I look forward to working with all of you to build this section of the site.
I will be in touch with all of you, and you can feel free to contact me via my bulletin board
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