Dec. 5: Leafs 4 at Rangers 2

Jonas Gustavsson preserves the win late in the game
Leafs scorers: Franson (2), Connolly (4), Lupul (13), Steckel (5)
Rangers scorers: Anisimov (4), Gaborik (13)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Connolly-Frattin, Crabb-Colborne-Kulemin, Rosehill-Steckel-Dupuis
Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win 59:38 minutes played, 30 saves, 2 GA), Reimer (0:00)

Recap:
The newly renovated Madison Square Garden has been a haven for the New York Rangers, who have lost only twice in regulation time in their upgraded building. Toronto fans are just us happy – as both defeats have been at the hands of the Maple Leafs.

For the second consecutive visit to Manhattan, the Leafs triumphed 4-2 – having won by the same score on October 27. As was the case six weeks ago, Jonas Gustavsson was superb in the victory.
Continue Reading…

Dec. 3: Leafs 1 at Bruins 4

Mikhail Grabovski only Leaf to score vs. Cup champs
Leafs scorers: Grabovski (7)
Bruins scorers: Krejci (5), Kelly (10), Boychuk (3), Horton (7)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Crabb-Grabovski-Kulemin, MacArthur-Connolly-Frattin, Steckel-Colborne-Dupuis
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 60:00 minutes played, 26 saves, 4 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
It doesn’t matter who starts in goal for Toronto. The Leafs just can’t beat Boston.

While Leafs fans eagerly awaited the team’s fortunes to turn with the news of James Reimer’s return to the lineup, the result was a fourth consecutive loss to the reigning Stanley Cup champions this season.
Continue Reading…

Nov. 27: Leafs 5 at Ducks 2

Bozak scores twice in win; Leafs take 3 of 4 on road trip
Leafs scorers: Bozak 2 (6), MacArthur (9), Crabb (5), Schenn (1)
Ducks scorers: Beauchemin (3), Perry (10)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:MacArthur-Connolly-Kulemin, Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Frattin-Colborne-Crabb, Rosehill-Grabovski-Dupuis
Defence pairings: Aulie-Phaneuf, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win 60:00 minutes played, 26 saves, 2 GA), Scrivens (0:00)

Nov. 25: Leafs 4 at Stars 3 (SO)

Joffrey Lupul scores winner after taking high stick
Leafs scorers: Crabb (4), Phaneuf (3), MacArthur (8), shootout winner – Lupul
Stars scorers: Nystron 2 (7), Dvorak (2)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:MacArthur-Connolly-Kulemin, Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Frattin-Colborne-Crabb, Rosehill-Steckel-Dupuis
Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win 64:58 minutes played, 23 saves, 3 GA), Scrivens (0:00)

Recap:
Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul suffered an unlucky break at the end of regulation time in Toronto’s game versus the Dallas Stars on Friday night. But in a sense of poetic justice, Lupul was able to exact his revenge enabling his team to gain an extra point in a shootout victory.
Continue Reading…

Nov. 22: Leafs 7 at Lightning 1

Tim Connolly (pictured) collected a goal and 2 assists, all in the first period.
Leafs scorers: MacArthur (7), Connolly (3), Bozak 2 (4), Colborne (1), Lupul (11), Crabb (3)
Lightning scorers: Lecavalier (9)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:MacArthur-Connolly-Kulemin, Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Frattin-Colborne-Crabb, Rosehill-Steckel-Dupuis
Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win 60:00 minutes played, 27 saves, 1 GA), Scrivens (0:00)

Recap:
It didn’t take long for the Leafs to break out of their year-long drought of scoring at St. Pete Times Forum. After being shutout in both games played in Tampa Bay last season, Toronto was buoyed by their potent power-play in a 7-1 victory over the Lightning on Tuesday.
Continue Reading…

Nov. 20: Leafs 2 at Hurricanes 3

Goalie Ben Scrivens (pictured) kept his team in the game, but weary Leafs had no gas.
Leafs scorers: Kessel 2 (16)
Hurricanes scorers: Harrison (2), Jokinen (4), Skinner (8)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Frattin-Connolly-Kulemin, Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Steckel-Colborne-Crabb, Rosehill-Dupuis-Orr
Defence pairings: Gunnarsson-Phaneuf, Gardiner-Schenn, Liles-Franson.
Goaltenders: Scrivens (Loss 58:54 minutes played, 38 saves, 3 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
With several key regulars out of the lineup, and having played in Toronto the night before, the Maple Leafs had nothing in the tank for their game against the Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center on Sunday. The Leafs staged a valiant comeback effort in the third period, but came up short losing 3-2.
Continue Reading…