The Monster's Turn

PITTSBURGH--Ron Wilson said it was the plan all along. He just didn't divulge the plan.

And so, sophomore goaltender Jonas Gustavsson will get the start in net tonight for the Maple Leafs against Sidney Crosby and the Penguins, Gustavsson's first start of the season after J.S. Giguere won both of the club's season opening home starts over Montreal and Ottawa.

"He had a pretty good camp, and he's looked good in practice, so we'll see how he does tonight," said Wilson.

Last season, Gustavsson appeared in 42 games going 16-15-9 with a .902 save percentage and a 2.87 goals-against average. Not bad for a first year NHLer who underwent two heart procedures during the season. At least he'll have a chance to be prepared for his first NHL game this fall. Last fall, he relieved Vesa Toskala partway through a 6-4 defeat at the hands of Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Gustavsson faced the Penguins once last year, dropping a 4-1 decision at the ACC on Jan. 9 when he stopped 35 shots.

In three games this season, Crosby and Evgeny Malkin have combined for just one goal and one assist, and it won't be too long before they break out.

"We're going to have our hands full," said Wilson. "We'll have to be aware when those two guys are on the ice."

It will be Pittsburgh's third home game at the magnificent, high-tech Consol Energy Centre, and they have yet to win a game. The new rink has many intriguing features, including Studio 66, an ice-level restaurant for high-end corporate clients, a 20,000 piece mosaic of Mario Lemieux, with each piece a picture of a Penguins fan, and a virtual display of the 15 members of the Penguins all-time team featuring videos, pictures and biographical information that's open to the public all day.

For tonight, the Pens won't have two key members of their blueline corps for tonight's game. Brooks Orpik is out with a groin strain, while Zbynek Michalek could be seen walking past the dressing room today with his right shoulder in a black sling. It's expected he could be out for months, although more will be known when he sees a specialist later today.

Pittsburgh is already missing centre Jordan Staal, who underwent five operations over the summer to deal with an infection in his foot that dates back to a skate cut picked up in the playoffs last spring.

Staal actually skated on his own today, but isn't close to returning.

"There will be no rushing Jordan back," said Pens coach Dan Bylsma. "This isn't a sign he's ahead of schedule."

 

Comments

[Dilly]

And the wheels come off... Monster is a good goalie and I truly think he is the Leafs future in goaltending...

But all this is gonna do is stop Jiggy's momentum and throwing a rusty Gustavsson to the lions... Good job Wilson. Just when you start doing things right, you try to fix something that's not broken... oh well... go leafs go, i guess...

[Pyramid Power]

I think it is a horrible mistake to start Gus tonight. Giggy is rested and ready to go and played very well against Montreal and Ottawa. Wanted to see Giggy play and play until he either lost or stank out in a game. Don't like this call one iota.

Oh well, let's see how Gus does. The word was he was starting either tonight or Friday at MSG against the Rangers so better to find out sooner than later I suppose. BUT Gustavsson's hero is Lundqvist so why not let him go up against him in New York?

Hoping the kid does great tonight, but expecting the worst.

That said:

GO LEAFS GO!

[fist]

Throw him into the fire. He will get a shellacking tonight at the hands of the Pens. They are looking to win at home, and the Leafs will not have what it takes tonight. I think it's a good idea, let Giguere not have his confidence shaken by allowing 6 Pens goals.

[OH ME NERVES !]

Ron Wilson a Moron anyway , really , could you expect anything different ! CHEERS YO !

[Eoin Kenny]

Habs and Sens weren't a real test. that will come tonight. Go Gus, go Leafs

[James Jack]

Doubt that the Leafs will lose because of bad goaltending although they can win because of good goaltending. It will take a great checking effort by the Tim Brent line and I know they are capable. The Leafs need this test to see exactly how good they are. This will be a close win or loss and all Leafs will show up well.

[johnnyk]

If Jiggy is hot, or at least warm, leave him in. Let Gustav get his minutes against lesser teams than the Pens.

[Vince]

Two games into the season and everyone is a genius.

[Holy F]

OK, I didn't get a chance to read this article until after the game had been played as I'm overseas on business. Now that the game is over and the Leafs have won the game....would any of you armchair coaches like to retire? NO? Maybe you would just prefer to retract some of your "WILSON IS A MORON" comments. Geeze, give it a rest.

[Chris]

Wonder how many of these Gus haters are eating their words this morning!

[Leaf fan in England]

Wow, the morning after the night before makes all the other comments look rather silly. I suppose it shows why they (like me) are tapping away at a keyboard with a mind full opinions, and not leading the leafs to the cup themselves. Lets all calm down a bit & enjoy the hockey, a loss will come sooner or later that will allow you all your " I told you so's"

[JWD]

I'm looking forward to these guys who were making comments like throwing the Monster to the lions and questioning Ron Wilson to offer up apologies here - obviously Ron Wilson knows a little more about coaching than you guys do.

[Pyramid Power]

@James Jack GOOD calls man! Be sure to buy a lottery ticket today. Tim Brent had an outstanding game, and Wilson showed a lot of faith in him giving him more than 19 minutes of ice time.

MacArthur sniping like Mogilny out there. Outstanding!

Close win indeed, and Gus did what he had to do to get us the win. Held the fort when it got heavy in the third, gotta hand it to him. Showed a lot of heart so to speak. lol

Wilson sitting Kessel shows he means business this year. Don't play well at both ends of the rink and ride the pine pal is the message being sent. A very good message.

Awesome win. On to New York City and the Rangers Friday night. Home opener there should be raucous. Always fun games to watch.

GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Hmmmmmmmm. Does Wilson unleash the Monster on New York City, or come back with Giggy? Tough call.

I say come back with Gustavsson, but we will see what we will see.

[Riggy]

I'd like to get James Jack's prediction more often. I love how everyone is still expecting the Leafs to lose. Faith will return in time.

[David]

Guess there's a reason none of you coach the Leafs... Amazing second half of the game by Gustavsson! Can't wait for "real" Toronto fans to get off Ron Wilson's back. He finally has some talent to work with, so let him and stop second guessing every decision he makes! GO LEAFS!

[koho]

While some of you guys are looking for a rope to hang RW for whatever sins you think he's commited, I'm gonna sit back and watch the evolution of the B&W contimue.

cheers boys, you need some

[Pyramid Power]

An item was mentioned the other day about the Leafs possibly in the hunt for Ryan Malone's services, and that Burke et al have coveted him for some time. Interesting to see that Toronto has $4.7 in cap space with the banishment of Jeff Finger, and Malone's cap hit is $4.5 million per annum for the next four years. Let us see what may or may not happen.

Although in light of Malone's goal last night winning the game for Tampa in OT plus Guy Boucher just loving the guy I don't see Yzerman moving him. Again, let us see.