Leafs vs. the kids

Leafs welcome Sabres tonight at ACC. And though we've known this for a while now, we still do a double take at the standings: with 51 points Buffalo is the fourth seed in the East, and just four points behind Ottawa for tops overall.

Buffalo is 15-1-1 over their last 17; goalie Martin Biron has won 13 straight starts. Leafs fans who cry for the youth movement should look down the QEW for their model. Afinogenov, Briere, Connolly, Kotalik, Vanek, Drury, Campbell, Roy (I could go on) -- all under 30 years of age, all have the wheels and the skills. Not feeling good about tonight's game. But that's fine because I don't get Leafs TV and that's the only place you can watch it, so tonight's a good night to check out our 2-0 junior squad, facing Norway tonight in what should be a scrimmage for our boys.

Paul Hunter takes us through the Leafs infirmary ward, with Steen, Colaiacovo, Lindros, Allison and Antropov hurting. Hunter reports Steen could be back and Wozniewski will replace Colaiacovo.

Gotta say the way Steady Eddie's been playing the Leafs have a chance against anyone. But I have to ask:

What's up with Mats Sundin's linemates?
What happened to Jeff O'Neill? 9 ppg and he's no longer on the first unit?
Could Matt Stajan be the next top two-way specialist?
Should Kyle Wellwood be playing more? With Sundin?
Should Darcy Tucker have been suspended?

Bonus coverage: Damien Cox debuts a new web-only column today on waymoresports, with the news that the Devils could have Patrik Elias back in their lineup in time for Saturday's date with Toronto, thanks to some clever moves by GM Lou Lamoriello. It's a neat read just to see how he worked his roster and the cap to make things fit. (SW)

Comments

[Carla]

I'm not sure he should've been suspended, but Tucker should at least be ashamed. Not just because of what he did during the fight but, more (IMO), because of what he did after the fight. That kind of mocking behaviour (especially the kiss-blowing) makes me an embarrassed Leafs fan. He has asserted that he's matured over the past couple of years, but if those antics are any indication, he certainly hasn't. And some Leafs fans wonder why he was labelled "Sideshow Bob" a few years ago... He certainly acted like a clown that night.

[Toronto Goalie Man]

Off topic I know, but I have to wonder.

Larry Robinson was the coach on an interm basis for the ailing Pat Burns, right? The idea was that when Burns could return, Robinson would step down.

Now the Devils are looking to fill the position full time. What happened to Burns' comeback?

Further, does anyone really believe Robinson couldn't handle the stress of coaching?

Go Leafs Go
Jbower67

[Carla]

'What happened to Burns' comeback?'

Unfortunately, Pat Burns was diagnosed with another form of cancer earlier this year, Toronto_Goalie_Man.

http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/news_story/?ID=129971

[jackovel]

“The guy that's going to work can usually beat the other guy that's more talented if the other guy doesn't want to work as hard or compete as hard," said Quinn.
Does this explain thirty-seven years of losing?

[Leaf Freak]

So, Ponikarovsky scores a beautiful shorthanded marker and gets the deciding shootout goal. He's having a terrific, break out season. Yes, but Don Cherry continues to slag him on Saturday Nights. Don was wrong about Steen and he's wrong about Ponikarovsky. How sad it is when prejudice fog's our brains.