Leafs vs. Bolts: Two periods in the books

So, the Stamkos kid is finally on the scoresheet.

Can't say it was a beauty. Or even an assist at all. In fact, the second assist given to Steve Stamkos in the second period tonight off a goal by Vinny Lecavalier was at best phantom and at worst really makes you wonder about the legitimacy of the NHL record book. But hey, the kid needed a point after seven games without one, and the NHL always gives away these points like candy, so can't say it's terrible they gave one to the league's top draft pick.

Besides, Lecavalier's backhand goal was no phantom. It was a beauty, and Stamkos could've earned more points later in the period when a couple of good passes weren't converted by teammates.

As a blog reader astutely pointed out, Matt Stajan seems intent to pay homage to departed teammate Bryan McCabe by putting McCabe's name and former No. 24 on his hockey stick. How adorable. Maybe that's why he was benched earlier this season.

At any rate, it was the player acquired for McCabe from Florida who scored the Leafs goal in the second. Mike Van Ryn didn't exactly look like Guy Lafleur on the play, but he did just enough to block a cross-ice pass by Mikhail Grabovski and get just enough on his shot to float it into the Tampa net.

The Leafs were outshot 11-9 in the second, and now need to pick up their first win this season after trailing going into the third to extend their win streak to three. Tampa desperately needs this win, if only because co-owner Oren Koules is in the house watching, and it'll be interesting to see which team looks hungrier for the "W" in the third.

Comments

[Zane Zelsman]

Maybe we can accommodate Stajan by sending him to play with his buddy McCabe. If I were the coach I wouldn't stand for that.
Stajan's value to the team has hit rock bottom. Time to move him...IF anyone will take him.

[greg]

Damien,

It seems Stamkos IS getting more ice time on the "big stage". Looks like he's performing in it now. Looking through some other rookies ice time numbers, Bogosian is at 00:52 throughout the entire game to this point. Is this to keep him away from the embarrassment of a 6-0 deficit, or is Bogosian not seen as the same caliber as Schenn and Stamkos?

[ripper]

As painful as it is to watch stajan play and as much as I hate him I think he played well tonight for the most part.

Blake is another story. Every time he touches the puck it's a bonehead move leading to a turnover. This guy is a liability to the leafs.

[Heaton]

Stajan and Blake need to go but who wants these stiffs.

[Chris]

Just a thought, McCabe may have given some sticks to Stajan before leaving town.