Game 3: The winning continues

Okay, look. I know this can't last forever. Eventually, the Leafs will lose a game. They have to lose a game, right? Right?

But here we are. Three games, three wins, many new reasons to believe.

What's most amazing about the latest victory, 4-3 in Pittsburgh last night, is what did not happen:

        * The Leafs did not register 15 shots on net.

        * Phil Kessel did not score a goal.

        * The Leafs did not keep Sidney Crosby off the score sheet.

        * Tyler Bozak and Kris Versteeg did not get an assist.

        * J.S. Giguere did not start.

        * Evgeni Malkin did not score on a penalty shot.

        * The Leafs did not entirely shut down Pittsburgh's PP.

        * The Leafs did not blow a lead.

This team – rebuilt over the past 12 months with an infusion of grit, speed, character and, apparently, a sprinkling of magical pixie dust – is doing the exact opposite of what previous editions used to do.

They are finding ways to win. And everybody is contributing.

Colton Orr, who left the game after his face made contact with Deryk Engelland’s right fist, deflected a shot from Luke Schenn to open the scoring. Then after the Pens bagged two quick ones to close the first, Clarke MacArthur tied the game in the second, one-timing a gorgeous cross-ice pass from Mr. Renaissance, Tomas Kaberle.

At 5:31 of that frame, Francois Beauchemin gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead with a blistering slap shot from the point. Assisting on the goal were Schenn and Mike Zigomanis, the former Penguin who continues to win face-offs so cleanly it looks like he’s lining up against mannequins.

About five minutes later, MacArthur scored his second goal of the game, converting a pass from Mikhail Grabovski, who was backwards and behind the Pittsburgh net.

And just like that, 10 different Leafs – none of whom play on the first line – got their names in the box score. It was, as Brian Burke had envisioned, "scoring by committee."

After a hubbub in Leafs Nation yesterday over Ron Wilson's decision to start Jonas Gustavsson, the young goaltender proved up to the task.

With the exception of Crosby's final-minute goal in the second, in which he wasn't airtight with the left post, The Monster was solid when he had to be, including several clutch saves late in the game when it was all Pittsburgh.

And he was lucky when he didn't have to be.

At 18:03 of the second, Malkin was awarded a penalty shot after he was tripped by a sprawling, sliding Dion Phaneuf. This could have been a pivotal moment for The Monster. But instead of getting tested, he could only watch with disbelief as Malkin gave a textbook demonstration in how not to take a penalty shot.

First, Malkin swooped to the outside, as if he was getting ready to jump over the glass and deke an usher. Then he turned toward the net with the velocity of a sea turtle. As he rolled through the slot like a lump of tumbleweed, he looked up, shot and missed the net by about 114 feet.

Basically, that was that.

Leaf fans, who may still suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder when it comes to protecting one-goal leads in the third, likely watched the final 20 minutes with one eye closed and a bottle of antacid at the ready.

But there was no need to panic because the Leafs did not panic. Instead, as the Penguins pinched and pressed, the Leafs seemed to slip into some kind of bizarre Zen state, hanging on for dear life with no real sense of imminent danger.

This team believes in itself and, after only three games, it shows. This team looks like the kind of team we're going to fondly remember years from now.

Me, I spent most of the third period on my feet, getting ready to toss my baseball cap at the TV in the event of another MacArthur goal. I applauded the team's work ethic, speed, passing, hitting and ability to steal pucks with the stealthy skill of veteran pickpockets in a tourist area.

And when the final buzzer sounded, I sat down and thought: This season is going to be a lot of fun.

 PHOTO: GENE J. PUSKAR/ASSOCIATED PRESS

 

Comments

[Pyramid Power]

Yet another superbly entertaining blog by Mr. Vinay Menon. Great stuff man.

Nah, we don't have to lose a game. 82-0. lol

Clarke MacArthur is up for the Rocket Richard trophy leading the NHL in goals. Toronto is atop the Eastern conference standings. AND the Canadiens lost.

A perfect storm!

Who does Wilson start in New York at MSG on Friday is the question du jour? I say go back to Giggy, but that is a tough one and a fun one for Wilson & Co. to mull over. Such a nice dilemma to have compared to last year and Losskalol.

GO LEAFS GO!

[Wilson Chung]

I'm starting to like this blog more and more, you should replace Damien.

[Eric]

I think the most amazing stat is that the Leafs are currently +6 in goal differential, and are leading the league in that area. That's a huge change from last season.

[KD]

Actually, the Leafs did give up the lead - their early 1-0 lead became a 2-1 deficit. The difference is that this time, they were able to re-gain their lead, and hold on to it. Either way, a good all-round effort, but I'm not sold on The Monster yet. He has to learn not to give up a goal on his first shot of the game - too many bad memories of the Finnish Sieve there.

[Anthony]

Great blog this morning, when Ron and Brian read this comments section for advice cause I'm sure that's what they do... they should go back to Giggy for the next game. The monster had a nice game but Giggy is your #1 and has played great, until his play drops off for several games in a row I'd say play him about 3,4 or 5 in a row then give the monster 1, if he posts a shutout give the kid a 2nd.

PS - Was at the leafs game against the sens Sat, whoa what a game, goals, fights, beers, tons of shots and rushs, the energy level these guys bring is unreal, buzzing around non stop like the water-bottles is full of Redbull !

[a mackinnon]

I enjoyed this very much. Well written and entertaining. Well presented and professional. As Arnold would say "I'll be back".

[Robert]

Isn't it interesting. Ron Wilson suggested he liked the idea of bringing Jeff Finger to Toronto having seen him play in the west. Ron Wilson dislikes Tomas Kaberle who is by far the best Leaf on the Blue line and having a great (3 game) season.
Burke has apparently produced a group who can mix and match. Not bad, stay out of the way Ron.
The accumulated speed on the new look Leafs and the mix of players with different backgrounds bodes well for a fun to watch season.

[Spanky]

After seeing Orr get one punched to the deck, I doubt he is in any condition to face the likes of Boogaard on Friday night. Better have some Rosehill ammo in the lineup.

[EM]

"First, Malkin swooped to the outside, as if he was getting ready to jump over the glass and deke an usher."
"Colton Orr, who left the game after his face made contact with Deryk Engelland’s right fist"
It's quotes like these that have made you a regular read for me, Vinay! :D Keep up the good work!

[Domenic]

that PS was horrendous!....Jason Allison anyone?

[Jamer93]

You gotta appreciate Brian Burke even more after wednesday night, not only because of the leafs third consecutive win, but because of the game afterwards on TSN, Anaheim and Vancouver. Which was my first glimpse of jason "the weesel" blake, very few in any sport have such a punch me face. Giggy for blake a toskala????? Wow!! "In Burke We Trust"

[James Jack]

I have to agree with Robert on his post comparing Ron Wilson's "like" for Jeff Finger and "dislike" for Kaberle. I watch most games here in the states with hometeam (US) announcers and all them always speak so highly of Kaberle it makes you really wonder. From the Pittsburgh crew last night, "the smooth skating Kaberle" and Kaberle is "slick". "always dangerous Kaber;le" "Kaberle's great vision" (on feeding the puck through the box on the PP. The thing that is most obvious is nearly every Leaf defenseman is giving up turnovers in the Leaf zone, but with Kabs, the puck escapes the zone smoothly and on Leaf sticks. Kaberle may not play "physical" but he really doesn't have to. I really have to question Ron Wilson's hockey acumen with his assessment of Kaberle.

[prize maple]

An entire article and no mention of Mike Brown's formidable moustache. You're slipping Vinay.

[Greg]

Also missing from the list of 'did not happen'

- Pierre Mcguire making insightful comments all night long.

[rocketboy]

Wow a positive sounding Sports writer for the Star? Who would have thunk it? Guess you didn't drink Damien Cox's purple Kool Aid and come to the conclusion that sports writing 101 means you have to whine, cry, sulk, moan, only see the negative in every single article... actually find it pretty boring, predictable and repetitive. Nice to hear from someone who actually sounds like they are an actual fan of sports. It is almost strange to read a sports article in the star dare I say it fun? Keep your sense of humour. It is refreshing around here.

[moe green]

Nice Blog. I Like Damien's too (real insightful guy who knows this game) but this one always brings a smile to my face. A real fan's perspective. Damien's simply not a fan - poor bugger! How would a true blue Leaf fan like to write a column about the Columbus Blue Jackets? Yuck. That's essentially Damien's life. Anyway, back to the Leafs. You know who's not getting enough credit for the "new Leafs?" It's Mikhail Grabovski. The crafty Lil' Belerussian is directly responsible for two of MacArthur's goals on wonderful blind-pass tape-to-tape setups and indirectly (a clean faceoff win) for another. He's been flying and the difference is that finally everyone else can keep up with him. I agree Menon, it's gonna be fun to watch Friday and beyond.

[Matt]

@greg

First things things first, I don't like McGuire, but he was actually pretty good last night. I think he said monster once.

[Rick Grace]

They're off to a good start.
But don't go crazy.
Clarke Macarthur is not going to score 60 goals.
Or Tim Brent 40.
They proably have about 25 more goals between them the whole season.
What is worrying is Phil Kessel.
Why did our supposedly top player get benched last night?
Its only three games in. He can't be tired already.
If benching doesn't light a fire under this guy, we have problems.

[Yogi]

@ Robert1 and James Jack
I have to disagree with both of you guys. First of all, the comments made by Wilson about Finger were made when we (Fletcher) first signed him - what's Wilson supposed to say - "Actually, I think we really overpaid for this guy"? He's got to support his GM.
And please don't make it sound like Wilson hates Kaberle. The two of them had different opinions on how he should play last year. It looks like they've sorted that out and Wilson's given Tomas the green light to play his style of game. Wilson has commended Kaberle several times this season. I think Ron's doing a terrific job with this team and keeping everyone accountable.

[Nik Culoman]

I am going to put my two cents into the fray...Last night's win, was simply a work of art. This team like I had predicted is playing as a team...All going 100% We haven't seen a leafs team this exciting in ages!!

Gone are the days of long summer breaks in Sweden, and in Muskoka. Hello, exciting fun to watch hockey, players who fight for every inch of the ice, and are winning.

I like the environment of accountability that the GM and the coach have instilled and will go a long way to changing this team's fortunes.

GO LEAFS GO!!

[Pat]

You're so right about one eye and the antacid. I was waiting for the Leafs to blow it and they didn't. I think it's the speed that's the difference this year, not tough guys, even though that's what Burke wants. I have to keep pinching myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. No we're not planning the parade but it's just good to be a Leafs fan right now because no one's laughing.

[Alex]

VERSTEEG / BOZAK / KESSEL
MACARTHUR / GRABOVSKI / KULEMIN
SJOSTROM / BRENT / ARMSTRONG
BROWN / ZIGOMANIS / ORR

PHANEUF / BEAUCHEMIN
KABERLE / SCHENN
KOMISAREK / GUNNARSSON

GIGUERE / GUSTAVSSON

LEAFS FINALLY HAVE 2+ LINES THAT CAN SCORE. FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME....

OFFENSE THIS SEASON WILL BE PROVIDED BY....

KESSEL (40 + GOALS, 60 PTS)
KULEMIN (25-30 GOALS, 50 PTS)
MACARTHUR (20-25 GOALS, 45 PTS)
VERSTEEG (20-25 GOALS 45 PTS)
ARMSTRONG (15-20 GOALS 40 PTS)
KABERLE (10-15 GOALS, 50 PTS)
PHANEUF (15 GOALS, 60 PTS)

TOUGHNESS IS ASSURED WITH....

ORR
BROWN
VERSTEEG
ARMSTRONG
ROSEHILL
PHANEUF
KOMISAREK

GIGGY AND GUS SHOULD DO WELL....

JSG (30-15-3, 1.90 GAA, .977SVP)
JG (22-10-2, 2.15 GAA, .944 SVP)

TEAM SHOULD FINISH 52-25-5 / 109 PTS AND GET 5TH OR 6TH SPOT IF THEY KEEP THIS UP!!! GO LEAFS GO!!!

[Pyramid Power]

@Rick Grace Do not fret about Philthy Kessel. Nothing wrong with him at all. Wilson doing an outstanding job sending messages to players like Kessel last night, and Komisarek on opening night, that if you don't play responsibly at both ends of the rink you will ride pine. Good for Ronnie!
@Yogi Good stuff re the relationship between Kaberle and Wilson. Wilson was rightfully hard on Kaberle last season, but that does indeed seem to have been sorted out this year. Kaberle seems to be listening to his coaching staff and detractors too and actually, wonder of wonders, shooting the puck! WOW! Good on Kabby for playing hard and tough as he can in a contract year, and defusing what could have become a very distracting ugly situation for this squad had he sulked and not give it his all every shift every night. He loves Toronto and wants to keep playing for the blue and white. Do it Tomas! We love you too!
Finally, sad to see people ripping on Damien Cox at this blog. Cox is not perfect but who is? Very very insightful columnist who has Burke's ear and others within the organization. I enjoy reading his material very very much. Don't always agree of course, but it would be crazy if I did. He's paid to be controversial as any columnnist should be especially a Leafs columnist here in the real Hockeytown - TORONTO!

Start Giggy in New York on Friday Leafs. Back to the vet. Agreed with another poster here about that especially giving up a goal on the first shot and two goals on his first five shots. He played well, but it has to be better than that.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

@Alex Love it. Great post. LOVE the optimism. Clearly, you beleaf!

I can only imagine what the atmosphere will be like in the ACC next Monday night when Toronto plays its next home game against the Isles. Especially if we roll into that game 4-0 after smoking the Rangers in their home opener on Friday night. Kind of a pity we don't play at home on Saturday night because that would be madness as in raucous. Leaf Nation is a happy nation. Hope it continues.
GO LEAFS GO!

[We BeLeaf]

Hey PP, I'm glad to see you're on here as well! Good posts as usual!

Watch KrapHabistan!

[Nik Culoman]

Have you heard the one about the leafs Italian proctologist?

His name is Nik Culoman.....He is the real reason they are winning!

GO LEAFS GO!!

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf Great to see you here too bro'! No Leaf loathers here. Isn't it nice? Such a refreshing change from you know where.

Just watched the highlights of this game at nhl.com since I don't live in your hemisphere. Man, did Gus ever come up with a HUGE monster, so to speak, save on Dupuis. The awesomeness of that save just breathtaking. He made another great save on Dupuis too. Loved it.

Too bad Bobby, I mean Colton Orr did not get his Gordie Howe hat trick. Nice hands around the net scoring our first goal. And great hands against Engelland UNTIL he got rocked with a shot to the beak that knocked him right out. He had that scrap easily until he got surprised by a devastating right. Too bad. Go get him next time Colton!

Bozak line was for the most part invisible and pretty wretched really. I look for Bozak, Versteeg and Kessel to more than make up for that in Manhattan on Friday.

GO LEAFS GO!

[Erik]

Alright people, simmer down! This is exactly the type of behaviour from Toronto fans that leads to huge disappointment later in the season. 3 games people, 3 games! Just relax and take it one game at a time.

Signed,

Huge Leaf fan

[victor]

So I just went to look at the Standings. I don't want to get too ahead of myself, and I am not, as they say, planning the parade route, but while it lasts, it sure is nice to see the Toronto Maple Leafs sitting first overall in the entire NHL. Lord I need some oxygen, the air is pretty thin up there. Indeed Mr. Menon it has been a fun year so far. so I guess we will just have to take it one day at a time and let the chips fall where they may. When their backs are against the wall we can hope they continue to give 100%.

[Ant Brown]

Great blog, only thing is why didn't you mention Mike Brown? He was brought in for the penalty kill and to shake things up when required physically but last night he looked like a first liner - skating hard, winning the puck and even getting an assist! I got a jersey with his name and number at the weekend (I wonder if I am the only one), now he's paying that decision back with interest!

[Randal]

Leafs are a fun team to watch, even without Matt Stajan, who kept the team afloat last season. Schenn took a stupid penalty which resulted in a goal and I'm surprised he wasn't benched after that. Finger is a much better addition to the team than Schenn, yet they went and sent Finger to the AHL. I understand it's about cap space and not about quality. If it was, Finger would still be playing.

[Pyramid Power]

@Randal You ARE joking right? LOL