Feb. 23: Leafs 1 vs. Sharks 2

(Reimer takes the loss in 23-save effort)
Leafs scorers: Gardiner (4)
Sharks scorers: Marleau 2 (25)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur, Lombardi-Connolly-Crabb, Boyce-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 58:41 minutes played, 23 saves, 2 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
If the Leafs playoff chances can be at best labeled borderline, the team dipped below the threshold with a 2-1 loss to San Jose on Thursday night.

The loss – Toronto’s seventh defeat in its last 8 games – combined with a Winnipeg win over Tampa Bay, slipped the Leafs into ninth place in the Eastern Conference.

The Leafs undoing before their home fans at Air Canada Centre was a tentative mindset, as if they were playing not to lose, rather than going for a win. The end result was a lack of willingness to drive the net and generate traffic in front of Sharks netminder Antti Niemi.

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Feb. 21: Leafs 3 vs. Devils 4 (OT)

(Inconsistent Gustavsson gaffes in overtime)
Leafs scorers: Connolly (9), MacArthur (18), Kessel (31)
Devils scorers: Sykora (14), Clarkson (23), Ponikarovsky (11), Fayne (4)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur, Lombardi-Connolly-Crabb, Boyce-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (OT/Loss 61:06 minutes played, 28 saves, 4 GA), Reimer (0:00)

Recap:
Remember when Jonas Gustavsson won 6 out of 9 starts, including three shutouts?

That was so…January.

While neither the Leafs players nor their coach threw their goalie under the bus in their post-game comments after Toronto’s 4-3 overtime loss Saturday, the 19,426 fans who showed up at Air Canada Centre likely weren’t as forgiving at the game’s end.

Gustavsson mishandled a shot from New Jersey defenceman Mark Fayne in overtime, accidentally guiding a puck – that was going wide – into the Toronto net for the winning goal.
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Feb. 18: Leafs 2 at Canucks 6

(Kulemin ends scoring slump)
Leafs scorers: Phaneuf (9), Kulemin (6)
Canuckscorers: Burrows 2 (22), Malhotra (6), D. Sedin (25), Salo (7), Bieksa (6)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Lombardi-Connolly-Armstrong, Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur, Boyce-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Aulie, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 31:14 minutes played, 14 saves, 4 GA), Gustavsson (28:46 minutes played, 16 saves, 2 GA)

Recap, by S-Mo
The Toronto Maple Leafs were their own worst enemy in a largely one-sided affair against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, losing 6-2.

Once again defensive lapses cost the Leafs dearly, leaving sophomore James Reimer in the lurch, and seeing him chased after 4 goals on 18 shots. The Sedin brothers Daniel and Henrik feasted on turnovers, producing 4 points each.

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo was tested with 26 shots, making a couple notable saves, but had the benefit of a mainly perimeter game from the Leafs. Vancouver’s defence nullified much of Toronto’s speed, and the Leaf forwards didn’t seem willing to go to the net and pay the price.
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Feb. 15: Leafs 4 at Oilers 3 (OT)

(Connolly ends scoring drought in overtime)
Leafs scorers: Lupul (23), Lombardi (7), Gardiner (3), Connolly (8)
Oilers scorers: Eager (7), Hall (20), Eberle (25)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Lombardi-Armstrong, Connolly-Grabovski-MacArthur, Boyce-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Aulie, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Komisarek
Goaltenders: Reimer (Win 61:23 minutes played, 29 saves, 3 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap
Tim Connolly converted a pass from Joffrey Lupul 1:39 into overtime as the Leafs defeated the Edmonton Oilers 4-3 on Wednesday at Rexall Place. The winning goal was scored seconds after Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf broke up a 3-on-1 Oilers rush to lead to an odd-man rush in the other direction for the Leafs.

For Toronto, the victory ended a four-game losing streak.

With neither young team known for their defensive attention to detail, the Leafs and Oilers played a brand of end-to-end firewagon hockey for over sixty minutes. Lupul and Matthew Lombardi combined to score the first two goals of the game just 98 seconds after the opening faceoff. Edmonton’s Ben Eager brought the home team to within 2-1 by the 2:32 mark.

Eager also won a decisive fight against the Leafs’ Mike Brown.

Jake Gardiner had the other Leafs goal. Toronto’s Luke Schenn and Joey Crabb were heatlhy scratches.