Game 78: Brilliant and glorious, the finest moment so far

When we were kids, every summer included at least one stateside road trip.

Sometimes it was Buffalo or New York City. But usually, the destination was Harrisburg or Akron, the city where I was born.

Sometimes I'd fall asleep in the back of our beat-up station wagon. And when I came to an hour or so later, the vista flashing past my window felt different.

We were on the same highway. But you could feel the destination rumbling closer. The view had changed.

There have been many dazzling moments in this second half.

A 9-3 demolition of Atlanta on January 7. Back-to-back wins in Los Angeles and San Jose the following week. Four wins in the first five games of February. Clutch victories throughout March, as this improbable, electrifying race continued.

But last night was truly special.

It all started at 7:06 of the first with a highly symbolic goal. Luke Schenn, this team's future, fired a shot that deflected off a hapless Tomas Kaberle, this team's past.

The future had officially surpassed the past...

To appreciate the future, all you really need to do is watch Nazem Kadri's shootout winner. In those few brilliant seconds, this team rumbled closer to wherever we are all going.

Kadri crossed the line, deployed a phantom carry, twisted his body, tapped his stick, bobbed his head, lifted his right leg for no apparent reason and then went to the backhand, deking so masterfully it's a small miracle he didn't skate away wearing Tim Thomas' moustache.

Boston was trying to clinch the Northeast Division. The Leafs were just trying to stay alive. But when Kadri scored, the gap in the present standings seemed meaningless.

At that second, it was all about the future.

Put it this way: If I knew nothing about either team and was asked, "Which one would you like to watch again?" the answer would have been, "The guys in white."

The guys who just came from behind to win. Not the guys in black and yellow, clustered on their bench, trying to make sense of what just went wrong.

Zdena Chara may be a walking solar eclipse. He may need to go in and out of the dressing room all night so engineers can recalibrate his center of gravity. But I think I'd rather watch the much smaller Timmy Brent dive like a possessed madman, blocking Chara blasts with a gritty resolve that can't be statistically quantified.

Is Thomas the best goalie in the league? That's nice. But all things considered, I think I'd like to watch more of this James Reimer kid, the one who stopped 35 of 38 shots in regulation and overtime, all three in the shootout and who has now beaten Thomas in three straight games.

Milan Lucic is a hell of a hockey player, no question. But when Jay Rosehill responded to Lucic's thuggish antics by dropping the gloves and giving his team an emotional lift with a long, spirited bout, I don't know, there was just something reassuring about his deadpan expression in the penalty box: "You mess with us and I'll mess with you, Milan. End of story."

You know what else the future includes? It includes a never-say-die attitude. In fact, that may be the biggest difference between the first half and this 2011 watershed.

Boston took over in the second period, scoring three times in 6 minutes and 22 seconds. They outshot the Leafs 18-7. They were basking in the rapture of their demented fans. They had a lead going into the third, which over the previous 76 games has translated into 28 wins and 1 regulation loss.

No matter.

Shift by shift, minute by minute, puck battle by puck battle, the Leafs regained control. They telegraphed no inferiority. They betrayed no surrender. They took the fight to Boston. They turned on the afterburners in the third and created some of the most exciting hockey we've witnessed this season.

And when another sprinkling of pixie dust had settled, when this rousing 4-3 win was in the books, it glittered with all the small things big teams learn to do when they are still young and rebuilding, when they are still on the road to greatness.

The Leafs outhit Boston 23-16. They blocked more shots (23-16) and won more faceoffs (36-29). Up against one of this season's Cup contenders, the Leafs matched the Bruins in confidence, swagger and determination.

Before the shootout started, TD Garden crackled with "Paradise City" by Guns N' Roses. At some point, as this team rumbles toward the destination, we may look back and think of that song as prophetic.

Are you ready for Saturday? You should be. The view is about to change again.

MAIN PHOTO: REUTERS

Comments

[Wandering Penguin]

Fantastic read as usualy, Vinay. I like how the tone of your blog posts has changed from one of starry-eyed amazement to one of in-your-face determination. Mirrors these lads perfectly, I think.

Um....any chance the post I JUST left on the previous thread can be just shifted to this one? I can resubmit it if necessary...but it is kind of "timely", so...you know...

VM Replies: Good morning, Mr. Penguin. Alas, there's no way to transfer comments from post to post (at least, not that I'm aware of)...
So you need to resubmit... sorry!

[othermark]

We need a new word. Magnificent just doesn't do justice to what we are witnessing. Game after game, the guts and determination. I think they are channeling the Leafs of 52 years ago. And, it apprears the Rangers are channeling their teamates of 52 years ago. Saturday night can't come soon enough. This is the best ride since 2003.

VM Replies: Agreed.

[Robert]

It is an interesting road you are taking us down Mr. Menon. You know what, it was blood and guts won that game last night. It was a refection of the Leaf teams we all used to know, that may have been out gunned, out manned, perhaps out played, but NEVER GAVE UP!
You are right, it was the little things, the blocked shots, the back checking, the do or die attitude.
When Jay Rosehill took on Milan, (who as we know is an assassin) I thought, Jay just protect yourself. And he did it well. When Brent took Chara into the corner I watched with glee as he bounced off, yes, but he made the point.
We shall overcome.
You know this collection of young colts reminds me of Leaf teams I used to know.
You don't suppose ......................?

VM Replies: You've been reading the stars and calling for adjustments all season, Robert. We thank you for that.
I don't know where this is all leading. But for the first time in a long time, I'm just excited about the journey.

[TimB]

You've nailed our collective conscience again,VM. Leafs Nation : Where the grass is green and the girls are pretty. Take me home.

VM Replies: Four letters in TimB. Four games left.

[Pyramid Power]

Last night was truly special indeed Vinay.

Great stuff here as always.

That move by Nasty in the shootout so silky smooth.
And Reimer beating this year's likely Vezina trophy winner in a shootout just outstanding!

Looking forward to Saturday in the nation's capital. We live to play meaningful hockey in April. Never thought it would happen only a few short weeks ago.

GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: Good morning (evening), PP. Better clear your Shanghai teaching schedule this weekend.
Will need you in the booth.

[Wandering Penguin]

***note:reposted from previous thread***

Absolutely incredible game but the best
Part of the evening for me was when I read that
Ron Wilson said that he would retire this summer
If the Leafs didn't make the p-word. That was
Likely the best news I have read in the history of ever!

For those of you who missed it, you can read it in the
Ontario Gazette, online edition (www.ontariogazette.ca)
Or a couple of the usual media outlet sites.
Let's go, Leafs! You can do it! Make the damn p-word and
Send that not-so-magnificent bastard packing!

(if you do check that site out, make sure you go to the page with today's date...April 1, 2011)

[Geoff Read]

You were born in Akron? Yikes.

Of course, I was born in Winnipeg, so I guess I shouldn't talk.

PS - Milan Lucic is my least-favourite player in the NHL. Talented? Yes. Effective? Yes. Dirty and thuggish? Definitely. I'm glad someone stood up to him, even if that person had to be wearing the blue and white rather than the red, white and blue. He is the player, more than any other on the Bruins, for whom Montreal has no answer and is the main reason I thought the Habs should've traded for Chris Neil at the deadline.

[80s Leafs]

If Naz the Slaz never does anything of significance again in a Leaf uniform, at least we'll always have THAT shootout goal to remember! However, I think he's here to stay.
That Rosehill scrap was even better than his bout with Lessard in the last game against Ottawa.

[Kolchak]

Srsly. Thought I was gonna have a heart attack last night. Sitting in front of the computer screen, watching this one online, my heart was in my throat and my hands were clamped to my mouth. Is nitroglycerin available OTC, by any chance?

[moe green]

Brilliantly written Vinay, as usual. For the first time this season I really felt that this team cared as much as I do. It's a great feeling.

Oh, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the Rosehill/Lucic bout. Like it? I was psychically willing Rosehill's fists into Lucic's ugly, Bruiny face.

Again, thanks for the brilliant summation Vinay. Saturday. The future. We are ready.

[missideb]

Good Morning VM,
Great read as always. Youth, excitment, never say die attitude and just plain insanity (Brent blocking Chara shots). Yep, I'd take the white team anyday.

[TimB]

I don't understand the Penguin's comment and can't find that address.

[Al]

Great blog Vinay! Go Leafs Go!

[moe green]

Did anyone notice the sweet, no-look pass Kadri delivered to MacArthur's tape on the two-on-one against Buffalo? The kid looks like he's for real. Tiny, explosive, nasty and for real.

Pyramdi, I love your nicknames: Nasty and Philthy.

[A True Leafs Fan]

Glad to see Kaberle Finaly scored for the leafs. to bad it came after he was traded, but hey... I'll take it.

[Wandering Penguin]

@ moe: I thought Rosehill was actually going to burst out laughing when Lucic dropped into full Robert DeNiro pose for the later part of that tilt.

@TimB: you might need to dig a little deeper into the post itself. All will become clear. Would it help if I told you I couldn't have posted that yesterday...or tomorrow?

[Wandering Penguin]

@moe: Kadri made another of those last night breaking out of his own zone under pressure. I was cheering out loud when he did it - cannot for the life of me remember who was the recipient or when it happened, but I think the third period sounds right.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Hey, at least the ride has been a memorable one, if nothing else! I'm pumped for Saturday.

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

Fantastic column, VM, fantastic voyage these incredible resilient bastards have taken us on these past 3 months. Yesterday, I had lunch with a Bruin fan, who informed me that the big bad bruins would destroy us 7-2. My reply, leafs win 4-3, and Kadri gets the winner. The phone rang immediately after, our savior, James Reimer stopped the final Bruin shooter. The caller was almost in shock, informing me that lottery tickets are in order. Anyway, next lunch is on him, and I just might have steak n' lobster. This team of ours is reaching expectations even higher than any one of us true blue fans could ever fathom. Keep it going, the dream is still alive. This is so special what we are witnessing, a team, a real team that battles and cares for one another. Lots of pride in that leaf dressing room, as well for leaf nation.

[Robert]

Geoff, you were born in Winterpeg?
Small world.

[jt]

Another great game (Kadri played especially well, as did Kessel, even though no goal).

All we can do is see what happens this saturday eh?

Oh and Vinay, you should have some sort of poll once the season's over as to everyone's favourite blog post this year. Just a thought.

[TimB]

Wandering,April Fools or not,you say Ron will retire if they don't make it and then cheer for them to make it?

[Pyramid Power]

@Vinay Will sure try O Fearless Leader. Might only catch the first period, but we will see if I can't rearrange things for a couple of more hours.

@Moe I don't recall that specific pass by Nasty, but have noticed so many other little things he is doing right. To read that Wilson thinks Nasty is our best shootout/breakaway guy is nice. Tiny, explosive, nasty, and for real and don't forget silky smooth.

@WP Is this true? Wilson said that? I am heading to that site immediately.

[Lee]

Vinay...
.
That shot of Seguin glaring at Kadri is priceless.
.
Thanks for posting it in full resolution. (It's going to be my desktop background until Saturday)

[We BeLeaf]

While watching That's Hockey 2Nite on TSN, either Kouleas or Barnaby recanted that Komiserik has not been the same since their fight when he played for the Habs. I have watched replays of the fight in 2009 and can't see if anything bad happened to him other than losing the fight. Does anyone know more about this? I thought Komi did his best at clearing the net and sticking up for himself and let Rosehill earn his paycheque by taking Lucic on.
.
Vinay, isn't Akron, Ohio the mecca for tires?

[Pyramid Power]

Oh, you are a dirty bird WP. A dirty bird. LOL

[Wandering Penguin]

@TimB - Hmm. Good point. Now I don't know WHAT to do.

Good thing their next game isn't tonight. ;)

[Bob]

It was nice to see Kabearle become Kaberleaf again for a couple of seconds.

[Wandering Penguin]

@PP - it's "true"...until about noon. At least I THINK those are the rules.

[Wandering Penguin]

Sorry PP. Just couldn't help myself. It was a nice dream I had that I wanted to "share". ;)

[TimB]

@Wandering Ass Penguin. Oh,I know what to do.I'm just saying.

[oakville_girl]

Lee - you were reading my mind, and I was going to post the exact same thing! It's like Seguin is saying "who the hell are you? I was the #2 draft pick!!!!!"

Truly spectacular game last night, and as always Vinay, a spectacular recap post.

[TimB]

@Pyramid Power.Is that a "Misery" reference?

[Matt Taylor]

To me, the fact that it's April and I'm still excited about the Leafs serves as a tremendous moral victory in and of itself. It's unbelievably cheesy, but I've taken to listening to "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Livin' on a Prayer" every morning before a Leafs game. That about captures my mood concerning the Leafs right now, I don't know how they're doing it... but it's awesome.

[moe green]

I couldn't find it Penguin but I'm sure it's probably an April Fools joke and not a very sensitive one. Boo.

[chee]

Nice game by the team.

Read this morning in Metro paper that Bobby Baun still gets 3000 pcs of mail a year, much of it around his broken ankle goal in Game 6 of the 67' Final..

what this city will be once the Leaf brand has been fully restored. It will ignite this part of the country & hopefully drown out the ad nauseum ownership talk that's dominated the town for decades

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

Okay, I took one for the team and missed most of last night's tilt while in a meeting. Caught the most important part, though - the end! That move by Kadri and a glass of wine and I was speaking in tongues.

Even if I wanted to, I couldn't schedule a meeting for Saturday night, though, so we'll see where my mojo gets us. For the record, it's this Ottawa game that scares me more than any of the other three. Our boys have proven they're giant killers, but what do they do with a slippery fish like the Sens? This will be the real statement game. To carry the analogy a couple of steps further - they've got to land 'em, stand on their heads, rip the hook out, and chuck 'em in the cooler.

Can't wait.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Good morning, I took a look at the scheduling of all the teams and the Leafs have the easiest of the bunch. Now if only Carolina will comply and lose 3 of there last 5. With the determination of this team, it is a long shot and very unlikely but I think I can no longer say that word again. It is in their real of possibility. They certainly believe it so why shouldn't I? If it doesn't happen, I promise not to get all upset again.
Any way you look at it the next 4 games should be a lot of fun so let them just finish off the Sens first on Saturday. I can hardly wait.

[Pyramid Power]

@We BeLeaf As far as I know Komisarek just lost a lot of pride when he got dusted by Lucic in that scrap you are referring to. No physical injury.

I wonder from his mostly dismal play this year if that shoulder surgery he underwent has really healed after all? I mean Phaneuf just came out to a Star beat reporter a week or two ago saying that leg cut he had hurt his game when he came back, and is only getting back to normal now. Wonder if that is a possible reason for Komisarek's mostly miserable year?

Now what is Brett Lebda's excuse for the way he has played this year? Have said it before, but man would I ever love to know what Burke, Nonis, Wilson, Poulin etc.... really think of Brett Lebda this year. And Komisarek of course.

And Gustavsson. Puzzles me why no Star or Toronto hockey beat reporter tells Leaf fans what the heck is going on with Gus after an interview and some sniffing around etc..... My guess is he is just going to continue status quo until next September and training camp, and try to win a job as a backup to Jimmy IF Team Burke decides that The Reiminister of Leaf Nation is really our #1 guy.

[Wandering Penguin]

@moe: sorry. In fact, I'd wager nobody is sorrier than I am that it's a "joke". FWIW, go back and read the capitalized first letters of each line and you'll see what's going on.

Let me just say that if it had been true I would have used a hell of a lot more !!!!!! in the post.

[Conn Smythe]

I always read your blog but have never commented. Until now. I actually got teary eyed at work reading this. Not the best look to have, especially when your co - workers are asking you 'what's wrong'? Great job, Vinay! Great job, Leafs!

[pinot grigio]

I just read all comments on last nights game. It may be better than actually watching it. I liked the way people expressed their anxieties, their hopes, their fears and - finally - their jubilation. It's like watching it in a group of people rather than watching the games alone as I usually do. Thank you all for the virtual experience!
If the Leafs make it to the forbidden p-word, do we give James his own 'p' and make him pReiminister?
I really liked living in Boston. It's a great city and the entire area is also very interesting. New England is in many ways the most European part of the US.Lots of snow though...

[Wandering Penguin]

@LFiL: if you schedule a "meeting" with ME for Saturday night, I promise to "attend".

@ chee: cool story about Baun. I loved that guy when I was first getting into the Leafs. One small thing, though: that goal was in the '64 finals. It won Game 6 and they went on to take the next game too.

[moe green]

Breathtaking Bastards. Never say die-stards. Mathematically challenged Bastards. Miraculous Bastards. About time-stards. I like the song by Metric called "Help I'm Alive" as a theme song for this run. Let me know what you think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoK63Bk7pgw

[oakville_girl]

vinay, there was a comment on a blog way back where the poster commented on the mathematical probabilities of making the P-word. It went along the lines of all of the teams playing at the same percentages down the stretch, and that if that happened, the Leafs would end up in 7th spot not 8th.

I believe it had to do with bumping the Rangers out of the mix. Do you remember this? Does anyone else remember this? I just feel that the Rangers are going to slide out of the P-word, and that the Leafs will benefit from this, as long as they clear the table in the last 4 games.

[hoofheartz]

I can't help but feel that there are more than a few teams out there that are nervous nellies at the thoughts of the Magnificent Bastards making the playoffs. Despite what some have said, this team will be no 8th place pushover when they make the promised land. LMFAO, this must be driving the trolls nuts as well.

[Sue]

VM - you have captured our feelings exactly!

I also got teary eyed reading the blog. (Sniff)

Looking forward to Sat. night when we all shall be together again to cheer like maniacs for our boys in blue!

[Wandering Penguin]

Love Metric. I'm on board.

[fishypete]

"deking so masterfully it's a small miracle he didn't skate away wearing Tim Thomas' moustache."

Perhaps the funniest thing i've consumed since the Family Guy trotted out those old timey piano players, or when the Simpson's showed those old timey weight lifters.

BRAVO! three cheers for you:

OLE, OLE, OLE!

[moe green]

Man I just listened to the song to Leaf highlights. It's perfect for this run as long as it lasts. I love it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoK63Bk7pgw

[othermark]

@Leaf Fan in Lotusland... first off, love the fishing analogy. If you love fishing and love hockey, check out the logo for the Toledo Walleye... the best in all of professional sports. Second, you should schedule a meeting with your friends and family in front of you T.V. Keep that mojo thing going.

[TPiddy]

Just throwing this out there.... but at 4 games above 500 and with 4 games to go... the Leafs at worst this year, are a 500 team... :)

[We BeLeaf]

@ Pyramid,
.
Thanks bro for the info. Let's hope for his sake that he can regain his style of play that when he was with the Habs because paying him 4+ mil a year for 9 minutes a game just doesn't cut it. Speaking of the defence, why did it take so long to bring up Lashoff? In my estimation he hasn't looked out of place in the lineup, he contributes on the rush, and doesn't make too many glaring errors.
.
It's true PP, we haven't heard from the media too much about Goose. How is sitting him in the press box going to help him when he should be getting some minutes on the farm?

[Geoff Read]

@We Be Leaf and Pyramid Power,

Komisarek injured his shoulder in that fight with Lucic. I can't remember if it was a dislocated shoulder or a torn rotator cuff or something, but he was out quite a while and noticeably less physical when he came back.

[TimB]

@fishypete. Bet the young fella wasn't crying last night.

[Chad]

a penalty shot awarded in OT....Garbo to win the game.......denied! !@#$%^&!!!
a Boston PP awarded in OT....NNNNOOOOOOOOO!!!!
the PK steps it up, and Timmy B once again takes one for the team. we're still alive!
then, with all due respect to that nice goal by Kadri, Reimer stands on his head in the shootout, and showed the rest of the NHL that his glove hand ISN'T A WEAK SPOT!! final shooter comes down.....high glove side.....STOPPED BY REIMER!!!
LEAFS WIN!! BOO YAH!!!!
and my heart gradually starts to slow back to regular BPM's.

is it me or did that win last feel like we should have been celebrating on Yonge St.?
off to Ottawa. BRING IT ON!!! GLG!!

[Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@Penguin: Done and done. I hereby schedule a meeting for 3:30 pm on Saturday afternoon at The Academic. I'll be the guy in the Barilko sweater. Anyone else?

[Pyramid Power]

@Tim B No, it is not a Misery reference. lol

A Leaf reference. Check Red Kelly, pyramids and the Leafs on Google and you will see it is a somewhat arcane reference to some old-time hard-core truculent Leaf squads and a mildly nuts coach of which we have had plenty.

John Brophy.
The World According to Carp as in Doug Carpenter.
George 'Chief' Armstrong and others.

I loved them all though.

Moe got excited during the Rosey-Lucic scrap? WHAT? Well, god love ya lad. God love ya. I knew you'd come around to the fighting in hockey is fun and good argument one day.

[fishypete]

@fishypete. Bet the young fella wasn't crying last night.

TimB, no he wasn't. We had a good long talk on how this is the future, on how the young players we have are better than any of the young players we've had since i've been watching, so a good 35 years. We also had a talk about how the playoffs don't matter a lick, not now. How this team is playing to its potential, and not over its head. We had a good night.

[Wandering Penguin]

Let me just check my datebook....hmm, I appear to have no prior engagements at 3:30 PM PDT, LFiL. I'll come in my Salming jersey, because I'm not going to break out the "Next Year" uni until ...well, June or so.

[Wandering Penguin]

@PP: I think TimB meant your "dirty bird" comment, actually.

[Ostrich_Lover]

Well, if theres one thing this season has proved it is that Ostrich Lover is a hockey genius. He called the assention of L. Schenn, he predicted Phil Kessel would become an elite player, he said in September that Grabovski had crazy potential. He even GUARENTEED THAT PHANUEF WOULD RETURN TO HIS STATUS AS ONE OF THE BEST DEFENCEMEN IN HOCKEY. Did he call Nazem Kadri a rising superstar who would one day win the Art Ross. You bet he did. Hey, he even called the Halek trade a win for Montreal when no one else did.

Yes of course he predicted the Leafs to win their division (and they have been one of the leagues best teams for over a third of the season). The only other wrong prediction was that Kadri would win the Calder. Lets says he is gonna win it next year instead. All other predictions (which will no doubt be thrown in my face) like Kessel scoring 60 were clearly jokes meant to mock the internet Leaf Fan. (though I maintain he does have that potential)

So on behalf of myself, I would like to congratulate myself on my excellent hockey predictions and analysis.

[Mambosun]

Uhm...we're 5 back of the Rangers, both teams have 4 to play, Lundquist might be hurt and Gaborick may get a game or two for the hit from behind last night.

Said it before and I'll say it again:

This ain't over...

[Ostrich_Lover]

One more thing: Burkie said the Wilson will be back next year. Pierre Mcguire said he has done "a spectacular job". So, to all the idiots who know nothing yet profess to be so smart, I say hahahahahahahahahahahahaq.

[TimB]

@Pyramid.No,no, no, I don't have to google Red Kelly.I meant the "dirty birds" reference.

[moe green]

@Michael C. Nemirsky: I think you should join Alecia as co-psychics the rest of the way. Enjoy the dinner, you earned it!

[Nik is Back]

Things change, and like the sunshine and flowers in the Spring...Leaf "fans" come running back and jump on in droves to the bandwagon.....

Burke should be fired, Wilson is a terrible coach, the leafs have no prospects, and this team has no future...Those were your words "Leaf Nation". But now that they are winning, everyone is standing by their "team".

Great for me and the few that never lost hope, that always beleafed......Shame on you for returning now when the team is winning...Because now you show your true colours.

[Peter]

oh boy, that ws pure blood and guts last night. i have no heart problem i know of but i think i came close to a heart attack.i felt my heart rate just went up to like 200 in OT. :-)
i guess "big nose" found out quicly that the team they tried to bully wasn't the Habs. lol

[moe green]

@Pinot: I hear good things about Boston and I can handle the snow but I will never be a Bruins fan. Not gonna happen. If I move there you'll see me at the games when the Leafs are in town wearing my Grabovski jersey! Thanks Pinot. Most European city sounds fantastic.

[moe green]

@Pyramid Power: I loved the fight and I think Rosehill "handled" Lucic perfectly. I like a good fight my friend but I think while it MAY have a legitimate place in the game it needs to be punished much more severely. It's all about the kids. What am I saying, FLICK the kids.

[moe green]

Notice the "thank you Kessel" chant is pretty much a thing of the past. It's just complementary boos now. Way to shut them up Philthy!

[Rooney]

VM, great post, again. You should develop an APP so other professional journalists can use it and instantly become AWESOME…sorry, I just barfed a little in mouth as I hate butt kissing.

I was not expecting an exciting game as that last night. I assumed either the Leafs would win with certainty or finally it would be apparent that there is no gas left in the tank. What I saw last night could not have justly been put into words by myself, thank god, we have you. I have to say that I think watching the Rosehill scrap and then Komi going over to the box to cheer him on (with that image of those two punches Komi took from Lucic when he was with the Habs in my head) was a feeling I just have not felt as a Leaf fan in a long time, in fact maybe as long as I have been a fan (I am in my late 30s). There is team play and then there is being a TEAM. In fact I can't put it in words because I had no words, no cheering, no screaming or any other noise at that moment. Just a feeling inside me that was unbeLEAFably awesome in how it felt. I was an obsessed fan before but this team has made me an addicted obsessed fan. I want more to feed my addiction. Effort, determination, the will to do whatever it takes to get the desired outcome, I say, WOW. It is April 1st people, yes, April and I am still talking about meaningful Leaf games. I know the plug still could get pulled shortly, but that won’t happen today. NEVER SAY NEVER, GO LEAFS GO!!!

[Ken Baumgartner]

On that note Ostrich I would like to congratulate myself too because I said Luke Schenn was a stud before you. Kessel would be good. 29 goals is not elite at all. I said Kadri would benefit from the AHL. Did I say Baozak will make a fantastic 3rd line center? YOU BETCHA. Congratulations to me and on behalf of myself I am the best.

Is there anyone else who wants to congratulate themselves? You deserve it. The self gratification is, well, wow!

[Jamieson]

wooooowhooo!!!...who cares if they make the playoffs, remember this time last year. there are only 4 or 5 games left and we are still watching hockey like this!

[Ken Baumgartner]

Nik is Back? is that you Culeman? We never left.

[Wandering Penguin]

Yeah, moe, boos and "USA! USA! USA!" which is just about the funniest thing ever.

Quick check of Nazim Kadri's stats...oh! Look at that! Played his 25th game last night! So by Saturday night he will be ineligible for the Calder next year. Apropos of nothing, just wanted to look it up for some inexplicable reason. Funny how easy that was to do.

I must be a hockey genius.

[Pyramid Power]

Tim B. Cool. No, was my Dad who liked to use dirty bird when describing something miserable.

@Geoff Read Thank you sir. Well, I stand very corrected. So Komisarek missed some serious time with a shoulder injury while in Montreal BEFORE we signed him to a long and hefty 4.5 mill per annum deal. And he hurt his shoulder again last year. Don't know if it was the same one though. IF it is the same shoulder I wonder if this is hurting his play? Can't be hurting his skating, but his shot might be shot so to speak and I wonder how much it may or may not be damaging his puckhandling?

On board with Metric. What an awesome tune by a good Canadian band.

Mambosun Yep, Lundqvist was apparently hurt, don't think it was serious though. And Gaborik might be suspended, but somehow I doubt it. The Rangers are our targets though I would say. Well, check that, anybody ahead of us just please start losing regularly as in lose out including Raleigh of course.

[Wandering Penguin]

@Bomber: the only real "prediction" I made (other than that Aulie will be a force in this league) is that this team was good enough to make the playoffs (and would definitely finish ahead of the Sens this year) but Wilson would likely keep them from making it.

I'd congratulate myself for that, except: 1) it hasn't come true yet; and 2) if it does, I really won't feel much like celebrating.

LOL@ the statement that Kessel is "elite". Guess that makes MacArthur "elite", too. That should mean he won't sign for under $6 mil per year. Bad news indeed.

[Wandering Penguin]

I apologize for spelling "NazEm" wrong earlier. Eeps. That won't happen again.

[othermark]

O.L, and Baumgartner... are you 2 done patting yourselves (on the back?) yet? Let's face it, if they had lived up to O.L.s expectations, the Leafs would be comfortably in a playoff position. And K.B.,,, your 'predictions' really didn't put you out on a limb now did they. That being said, I love both of you guys because you are true Blue and White Blood Brothers and have been positive since the first puck drop. Go Leafs Go, you Magnificent Bastards!

[Geoff Read]

Penguin:

Yeah, the "USA, USA" chants at both Boston and Philly are extremely idiotic. You really have to be a brain-dead moron to equate the success of your local professional hockey team with American pride. When I went to a game in Philly last year people also called me a "French faggot" and other such things (assuming I was a Francophone I guess because of my Habs' jersey). To which I pointed out that not only were a majority of the Flyers' players Canadians, but their best players included Simon Gagne, Daniel Briere, and Claude Giroux. But mindless nationalism and bigotry of course isn't deterred by such things.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Ahem... Nik, looks like you're the one who has returned for a long period of absence once the team started winning. So who exactly are you calling out? As Ken said, we've BEEN HERE! I did begin to miss you though, I've been wondering where you had disappeared to!
.
Ken: there's a joke somewhere in your "pat on the back" post about your self gratification... um, well, yeah, I'll stay away from that one.

[Pyramid Power]

Moe Someday long after we are gone and following the Leafs in some other place fighting will be more severely punished and possibly abolished. But not yet. The league is just not ready for that. I mean they can't even decree that visors be mandatory yet. Long long way to go.

It WAS indeed great that Philthy shut up the thank you Kesseler's last night wasn't it? Just the obligatory booing as you note, and not nearly as loud as earlier this year. BUT if Seguin and their pick this year from us turn out to be stars in the years to come, yikes, those boos and thank you Kessel's might be deafening.

It somehow makes me happy to know that the Bears play in the Toronto Dominion Bank Garden. That puts a smile on my face as much as I detest and despise Canadian banks.

[We BeLeaf]

I think it goes without say that congratulations goes to the Leafs first, then to Vinay for bringing us together, and finally to all the Leafs fans for always beleafing!

[Sensi-Bill]

[ Sorry to interrupt the well-deserved celebratory thread, but I've been doing some series thinking and would like to get this thing posted before we move on to preparation for tomorrow's showdown. ]
.
An epiphany in blue and white. Also known as what the hell was I thinking?
.
Seeking logic in a thoroughly emotional landscape?
.
Trying to impose reality checks in Fan-tasy land?
.
Looking for equality in a small corner of the world celebrating the pure release found in unabashed bias?
.
Trying to tell the inmates how to run their own asylum?
.
Oh my God. I WAS an idiot.
.
I got serious in Funland where both the ups and downs of the roller coaster ride ARE supposed to be thrilling.
.
I was the cynic in Oz trying to drag people behind the smoke and mirrors.
.
I thought I was being intelligent when I was only being a smart ass.
.
OMG, I WAS full of myself.
.
I was also not alone in disrupting the time warp and the suspension of disbelief that for many fans goes with worshipping their team. But I can only speak, and apologize, for myself.
.
And that's what I do here, apologize.
.
And if I felt disappointed because while it takes more than one to cause a dispute --- which in turn lead to a disturbance --- I seemed to be the only one chastised, I DO have to realize and accept that Leafs Nation, by its very definition, IS a giant clique whose members WILL defend each other, even if some don't necessarily agree with each other's opinions or actions.
.
It may seem unfair to outsiders, but it's just the way it is.
.
And I promise not to question it any more. *smile*
.
So once again, to friends, "foes" and faux-foes alike, I do apologize.
.
[ To be absolutely clear, the above was written totally sarcasm-free, with no hidden agenda and absolutely no malice of any kind ] (g)

[Wandering Penguin]

Good move, sarkozy. I cannot see how that could end will should you decide to make that joke!

[Wandering Penguin]

*end wEll.

I guess I'm still drunk from last night.

[Sensi-Bill]

And before my chant, by necessity, changes to you-know-what tomorrow . . .
.
WELL DONE LEAFS, WELL DONE!

[Wandering Penguin]

@Geoff: I don't think there's really any way we can understand the idiocy behind all of that. Someone pointed out last night (I think it was on the broadcast, but it's been a rough morning) that not only do the Leafs have twice as many American players on their team, but they have the Coach and GM of the most recent incarnation of the US Olympic Hockey Team running the show.

OTOH, maybe it was code. Maybe they were cheering for the Leafs in secret. I'll have to mull that one over.

[Tudor]

Watching the last 3-4-5 games, something wierd hit me... You know that guy, the Lupul dude, the one that was the "salary throw-in" for Beauch for the Gardiner kid... That Lupul... man, he still can play...if Burkie , instead of wasting money for Bryzgalov , brings somehow a bonna fide no. 1 center that can play...man, the Lupul-?-Kessel line is not bad at all...
Burkie is 2 for 2 in picking up good players as filling parts for deals (Aulie , no matter how much people say, was a fill-in for Phaneuf deal... or was Phaneuf the fill-in for Aulie? , that side of the deal seem to work better :-))

[A Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@othermark: Love the Toledo Walleye logo. Not so sure about the colours, but any team who's got a toothless fish for a mascot is OK by me. And the meeting's on for Saturday - excellent advice.

@penguin: See you Saturday. We should try and get BooWho out, too. And any other ALFB fans in this time zone...

[Simon]

I'm not going to analyse the game or our future (or read all the comments). I'm just going to do what a good Leafs fan does. I'm going to bring all my passion for Saturday and screw what comes next. Now is the time for all good Leafs fans to return to their home tv and shout!

GO LEAFS GO!! I BELEAF!!

[A Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@Penguin: Rough morning or not, your memory is intact. The irony of the Beantown fans' chant was mentioned by Gord Miller on the TSN broadcast. It's the same irrational crap my co-worker spouts when he says I *must* cheer for the "Canadian" teams in the playoffs. Oy.

[A Leaf Fan in Lotusland]

@Tudor: You're bang on with the Lupul comment, although I don't see either Gardiner or Aulie as "throw ins". I doubt Burkie would've done either deal without the youngsters being part of it. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if in a few years "the Phaneuf deal" becomes known as "the Aulie deal".

[Wandering Penguin]

@ALFiL: I'm only in your time zone in my mind, but I'll "be there" nonetheless. It only just now occurred to me you might have thought otherwise - I hope not?

Check in here at 3:30 your time and we'll "meet" - can I have a beer waiting for you?

[Wandering Penguin]

Yes, ALFiL, the very same crap. It's comforting to know we can be just as stupid up here, I guess.

[We BeLeaf]

Just read this article....
http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2011/3/31/2082637/cox-bloc-presents-some-torontonians-laugh-at-the-toronto-star?ref=yahoo
as a response to the uproar for the Star's article posted this week about making fun of Leafs fans. Enjoy.

[Wandering Penguin]

@ALFiL (again): my memory is that Burke wanted Phaneuf and he had a devil on each shoulder in the forms of Nonis and Fletcher whispering into his ear about insisting on Aulie and Sjostrom. I can't remember who said what and I can't even confirm this online though I have tried. But that's the way I recall it: a true group effort. I happen to really like Sjostrom, but even if they never play him again they absolutely fleeced Calgary if Dion is truly returning to form. Aulie reminds me of Sylvain Lefebvre in his build and I think he will move the puck better. This kid is going to be solid, IMO, for a long time.

[TPiddy]

Ostrich is like Nostradamus though, if you make enough predictions, you'll be right a lot of the time and then you can gloat about it while dismissing your failed predictions as 'jokes' or 'meaningless'.

As for myself and my predictions... I have two jerseys in my closet, jerseys I've had for over 2 years now... they are Schenn and Kulemin.... those are my predictions... and they're looking pretty damn good so far :)

[Pyramid Power]

Great story by Puck Daddy at Yahoo NHL about Brad Marchand taunting the Leafs bench with a golf swing after he scored last night.

@Vinay Link us up will ya brother? Thank you. I am sure the readers here will like it.