Leafs Game Recaps | Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey News and Views

Kessel strikes down Lightning in OT

Leafs scorers: Stalberg 2 (5), Bozak (5), Kessel (23)
Lightning scorers: Stamkos (42), Foster (8), Downie (17)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel, Stalberg-Grabovski-Kulemin, Mitchell-Hanson-Lundmark, Primeau-Wallin-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Finger-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Giguere (xxx, xx:xx minutes played, 26 saves, 3 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-Viktor Stalberg’s two goals were a career high.
-Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos entered the game as the league leader in power-play goals, adding to his total with a PPG in the first period, his 18th.
-The Leafs have won 2 straight overtime game after starting the season with an 0-9 record in the five-minute extra session.

Leafs Edge Bruins 4-3 in OT

Leafs scorers: Primeau (3), Gunnarsson (2), Caputi (2), Kulemin (3)
Bruins scorers: Recchi (3), Sturm (2), Bergeron (13)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Caputi-Bozak-Kessel, Stalberg-Grabovski-Kulemin, Mitchell-Hanson-Lundmark, Primeau-Wallin-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Finger-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win, 64:06 minutes played, 26 saves, 3 GA), Giguere (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-Toronto native Luca Caputi scored his first goal in a Leafs uniform, in his first home game with the club (4th game overall). “Since day one, I’ve tried to make this positive for the Maple Leafs,” said Caputi after the game. “I want to prove that I was worth dealing a good player (Alexei Ponikarovsky) to Pittsburgh. It’s a good win for the guys, and a good way to make my homecoming in Toronto.”
-Nikolai Kulemin scored the Leafs’ first overtime goal of the season, giving the team the win. Toronto’s record in OT in 2009-10 is 1-9, not counting their 2-3 record in shootouts.
-Mikhail Grabovski played his first game since injuring his wrist on Jan. 2. Grabovski assisted on Kulemin’s winning goal.
-The Leafs’ were 0-for-3 on the power-play, extending their PPG slump to six games (0-for-28).

Flyers Get By Leafs 3-1

Leafs scorers: Kulemin (12)
Flyers scorers: Carter (30), Gagne (11), Briere (23)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel, Stalberg-Hanson-Caputi, Mitchell-Wallin-Lundmark, Rosehill-Primeau-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Finger-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Giguere (Loss, 58:41 minutes played, 22 saves, 3 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-Fredrik Sjostrom missed the game with an upper-body injury. Jay Rosehill was recalled from the Toronto Marlies on an emergency basis.
-The Flyer’s Jeff Carter registered his second consecutive 30-goal season.
-The Leafs took five minor penalties in the first period; 3 of them by Colton Orr.
-Dion Phaneuf engaged in a feisty scrap with the Flyers’ Scott Hartnell.

Shootout Win For Leafs in Ottawa, 2-1

Leafs scorers:Kessel (22), shootout winner: Kessel
Senators scorers: Neil (8)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel, Mitchell-Hanson-Caputi, Sjostrom-Wallin-Lundmark, Stalberg-Primeau-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Finger-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Win, 65:00 minutes played, 22 saves, 2 GA), Giguere (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-John Mitchell and Fredrik Sjostrom both left the game after sustaining upper-body injuries
-Senators players Daniel Alfredsson and Peter Regin both missed the game with the flu.
-Canadian Olympic gold medalists Jennifer Botterill (women’s hockey) and Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir (ice dancing) were honoured in a pre-game ceremony.

Leafs Lose to Bruins 3-2 in Shootout

Leafs scorers: Stalberg (3), Bozak (4)
Bruins scorers: Satan (4), Boychuk (3), shootout winner: Satan
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Kulemin-Bozak-Kessel, Mitchell-Hanson-Caputi, Sjostrom-Wallin-Lundmark, Stalberg-Primeau-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Finger-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Giguere (Sh. Loss, 65:00 minutes played, 29 saves, 2 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-The Bruins won their first home game since defeating the Philadelphia Flyers in the Winter Classic on New Year’s Day
-Luca Caputi earned his first point as a Leaf, an assist on Bozak’s goal.
-Ex-Bruin Phil Kessel had 20:46 of ice time and 4 shots on goal

Canes Easily Beat Leafs 5 to 1

Leafs scorers: Mitchell (4)
Hurricanes scorers: Larose (4), Jokinen (24), Sutter (15), Ruutu (13), Samsonov (13)
Links: Game Summary | Stats | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Stalberg-Bozak-Kessel, Mitchell-Hanson-Stempniak, Sjostrom-Wallin-Kulemin, Lundmark-Primeau-Orr
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Beauchemin, Kaberle-Schenn, Exelby-Gunnarsson
Goaltenders: Giguere (Loss 60:00 minutes played, 25 saves, 5 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)
Noteworthy:
-Toronto gave up 4 or more goals in a game for the 26th time this season.
-Alexei Ponikarovsky was a healthy scratch for the game, and was traded to Pittsburgh later in the evening in exchange for Luca Caputi and Martin Skoula.
-Team Canada gold medal winner Eric Staal registered an assist for Carolina. Staal is the 23rd player in NHL history to win an Olympic gold medal, a Stanley Cup, and a World Championship