The Leafs gave this one away before taking it back.  When Joe Nieuwendyk scored in the second period to put the Leafs up 5-2, I figured the Rangers were as good as dead.  A couple of bad Wade Belak penalties after a defensive lapse by Mr. Belak led to a

My friend Scott just gave me the best Christmas present in the world.  He reminded me to check out the Sports Illustrated NHL Power Rankings for this week.  Lo and behold, my Leafs are number one! SI had us at #20 earlier in the season, but now we're at the

The Leafs are playing spectacular hockey right now.  Gary Roberts looked more like Wayne Gretzky with a couple of nifty goals for the blue and white who stretched their streak to 15 games registering at least a point. We're back in first overall in the NHL standings and looking like

When the Philadelphia Flyers lost yesterday 4-1 to the Atlanta Thrashers, it moved the Toronto Maple Leafs into first place overall.  Prior to the Flyer's loss, the Leafs were technically in second place despite have the same number of points as the Flyers.  At this exact moment, the Leafs and

Is there anything better than the Leafs and Habs on Hockey Night in Canada?  The answer is yes, a Leafs victory over the Habs on Hockey Night in Canada.  With about a half a minute remaining in regulation, Mats Sundin carried the puck into the offensive zone along the right

Sure, the Leafs extended their franchise record for consecutive games registering at least a point to 13, but a tie against the craptacular Capitals is disappointing.  This was certainly a game we should have won, even with backup goaltender Trevor Kidd making only his second start of the season and

With this win the Leafs set a franchise record for consecutive games registering at least a point with twelve.  We're also tied for the overall league lead with Philadelphia.  The Leafs are kicking ass, it's as simple as that. The line of Mats Sundin, Gary Roberts and Mikael Renberg played

I love watching Leafs - Rangers games.  The Leafs always seem to play well and you're always in for a couple of fights.  Every once in a while you hear or read about how there's no place in our game for fisticuffs, but damn is it entertaining. Mikael Renberg played

If there's a problem with hockey, it's the trapping style employed by teams like the Minnesota Wild.  Jacques Lemaire subscribes to the school of thought that if you clog up the neutral zone you can manage a goal or two to steal a win against far more talented teams.  This

When Joe Nieuwendyk scored at 19:43 of the third to force overtime, Leaf commentator Joe Bowen and I screamed "Holy Mackinaw" in unison.  The never-say-die Leafs had overcome a 4 minute penalty to tie the score at 2.  Unfortunately this penalty carried over into the overtime period and the

Ho hum, another win for the Maple Leafs.  What is that...eight in a row?  I haven't been keeping count. Hot damn we're playing good hockey right now.  The roll continues after another solid effort against a very good team.  Who was that guy wearing Bryan Marchment's jersey who took

The Maple Leafs are playing superb hockey right now.  They were by far the faster, more skilled team on the ice tonight in Beantown.  The Leafs have won seven games in a row for the first time in a decade and have extended their lead atop the Northeast Division to

Six in a row...  I'm smiling right now.  I have a huge grin on my face.  I am very, very happy.  It's been almost three years since our Leafs have won six games in a row. With a goal and an assist, Owen Nolan continued to be a leader for

There's no more denying it.  The Leafs are on quite the hot streak beating up on the Rangers last night for their fifth win in succession.  Damn this feels good.  This feels really good. Once Trevor Kidd shook the rust off, he played a solid game between the pipes.  This

Food tastes better, music sounds better and everything appears that much brighter today.  The Leafs have won four in a row after defeating our provincial rivals from Ottawa last night. I fittingly watched this game from Joe Nieuwendyk's hometown of Whitby, Ontario to witness his return after playing only one

You can see a sparkle in the eyes of Torontonians this morning.  There's a little more pep in their step.  Grown men are giddy.  Children are laughing themselves to tears.  Despite the rainy morning, it's sunny in hog town without a cloud in the sky.  Life is grand.  The Leafs

I'm confused.  Are the Leafs having a bad season or not?  Just when you think it's time to call in the coroner they sweep a home-and-home series against the Western Conference leading Vancouver Canucks.  Whodathunkit? It was Eddie Belfour's 408th career victory moving him past Glenn Hall into fifth place

The Leafs showed more energy in the first two minutes of last nights game than they had during the entire roadtrip.  They started well and finished well to grab two points against a very good team.  Phew! There's something I've wanted to write for a while but haven't for fear

Lets see...  There's an article in the Toronto Sun that claims the Leafs have lost belief in Pat Quinn, an article in the National Post claims the Leafs' coach lacks direction and the proverbial dismissal of the entire story by Quinn is in The Toronto Star.  Where there's smoke, there's

Another late night, another single point.  I'm getting used to the routine.  I feel as sluggish as the Maple Leafs have played during this Western road trip. We were very lucky to escape Calgary with a point.  The boxscore tells the story.  Three first period shots, six in the second

The winless California adventure continued last night when the Leafs blew a two goal lead in the third period and had to settle for the tie in San Jose.  A couple of nights ago the Leafs accomplished the reverse, overcoming a three goal lead in the final frame to tie.

The Leafs played two games last night.  For two periods they were lambasted by the Kings and entered the third down 4-1.  Suddenly, like a bat out of hell, the blue and white roared back with three goals to salvage a point in the city of angels. If you're wondering

Back in high school, I bought Led Zeppelin IV for "Black Dog", "Rock And Roll" and "Stairway to Heaven", but I stayed for the melodic tones of "Going to California".  Going to California didn't fare well for the Leafs last night.  Lets hope things improve tonight in L.A. As

I have always enjoyed watching my Leafs take on the Oilers.  This dates back to the bleak 80s when the hottest ticket in town was always when the all-star Oilers visited Maple Leaf Gardens and the bottom feeder Maple Leafs.  Wayne Gretzky, Mark Messier, Jari Kurri, Paul Coffey, Glenn Anderson

When you visit the swamp you're grateful when you escape with a point.  A late goal on a nifty backhand by Gary Roberts gave Toronto a tie in a game they deserved to win.  It was the first time this season the Leafs overcame a third period deficit. Watching tonight's