Feb. 29: Leafs 4 vs. Blackhawks 5

(Good start including Bozak goal, late flurry, same result)
Leafs scorers: Bozak (14), Lupul (25), MacArthur (19), Brown (2)
Blackhawks scorers: Shaw (6), Kruger (8), Kane (15), Hossa 2 (26)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines: Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Armstrong-Connolly-Frattin, MacArthur-Grabovski-Kulemin, Crabb-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Gustavsson (Loss 58:39 minutes played, 30 saves, 4 GA) Reimer (0:00)

Recap:
It appears the Leafs season is circling the drain as the Toronto Maple Leafs lost their sixth straight – and 10th of their last eleven games – to the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center. Whatever the stretch drive was supposed to be, it may have just snapped – some might say – back into reality.

The Leafs rediscovered the secret to their success through most of the season, using their speed to push the opposition back on their heels and get that all-important first goal. Hitting the road appeared to be a relief in the first period as the Leafs seemed to relax the death grip on their sticks and play their game. But in the end, defensive miscues and lack of finish when it counted cost them the game.
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Feb. 28: Leafs 3 vs. Panthers 5

(Phaneuf: “We’ve got to do a better job starting games”)
Leafs scorers: Kessel (32), Kulemin (7), Lupul (24)
Panthers scorers: Goc (6), Santorelli 2 (8), Garrison (14), Weiss (16)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, MacArthur-Grabovski-Frattin, Lombardi-Connolly-Kulemin, Crabb-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Komisarek, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 57:45 minutes played, 18 saves, 5 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
There’s a familiar refrain that we’ve all heard at some point from either parents or teachers.

“If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’re going to keep getting what you’ve always got.”

For the Maple Leafs, whose roster went essentially unchanged following the trade deadline, their game Tuesday against the Florida Panthers eerily mirrored their match-up from three nights ago against Washington. A home game against a SouthEast Division opponent, who is expected to be a competitor in the playoff race.

A horrific start in giving up two early goals. An abnormal lack of urgency from the Leafs in what is deemed to be a crucial game.

And, another loss.

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Feb. 25: Leafs 2 vs. Capitals 4

(James Reimer called out by Ron Wilson following early goals)
Leafs scorers: Armstrong (1), Connolly (10)
Capitals scorers: Johansson (12), Semin (17), Halpern (4), Aucoin (1)
Links: Box Score | Discussion boards

Forward lines:Lupul-Bozak-Kessel, Kulemin-Grabovski-MacArthur, Lombardi-Connolly-Frattin, Armstrong-Steckel-Brown
Defence pairings: Phaneuf-Gunnarsson, Liles-Franson, Gardiner-Schenn
Goaltenders: Reimer (Loss 58:14 minutes played, 32 saves, 4 GA), Gustavsson (0:00)

Recap:
The Washington Capitals appeared on paper to be the antidote for the Leafs recent ailments. Toronto’s Saturday opponents had played the night before, coming into the matchup at Air Canada Centre 8 games under .500 on the road.

Unbelievably, it was the Leafs who turned in an effort unbecoming of a team embroiled in a tight playoff race.

Coming out on the short end of a 4-2 decision, Toronto earned the wrath of the 19,577 fans in attendance, with the players receiving unflattering boos at the end of each period.

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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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