Friday, January 21, 2011

LEAFS CONTINUE TO EBB & FLOW!

Four games is the maximum number that the Toronto Maple Leafs are capable of winning in succession.  At least that appears to be the case.  For the second time this season, the teams winning streak was halted at four games, followed by by a disappointing series of losses.  The winning streak that went from January 6 - 11, came to a startling halt in the form of a 5 - 1 loss at the hands of the Phoenix Coyotes.  To make matters worse, that loss was followed up with a 2 - 1 overtime defeat at the hands of the Calgary Flames, and then a 7 - 0 embarrassment from the New York Rangers.  The commonalities of all three losses are lack of scoring, lethargic effort, and defensive  disorganization.  In these games, the Maple Leafs scored a combined two goals.  The most frustrating aspect of these losses, is the team has proven on several occasions that they are more then capable of a higher standard of play.  Case in point, was last night's contest against the Anaheim Ducks.  The Leafs rebounded from their terrible performance in New York with a 5 - 2 win.  Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur once again proved that they are two of the most consistent Leafs this season, as they were in on 4 of the 5 goals.  Grabovski scored twice to take over the team lead in goals (20), while MacArthur had a goal and two assists, to remain the overall points leader (40).  Tyler Bozak played arguable his best game of the season.  He scored the game winning goal, and was superb on the penalty kill, keeping the third ranked power play bottled up in their own zone, while creating scoring chances for the shorthanded Leafs.  The Maple Leafs will look to continue the flow of winning when they take on the Washington Capitals on Hockey Night in Canada.   

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