A tale of two teams

After struggling, if having the second best offense in the league can be considered struggling, throughout the first half of the season because of poor goal-tending and coping with the absence of Forsberg, the Avalanche look like a team heading in the right direction. The Maple Leafs seem to be going in the opposite direction, after over-achieving in the first half with a prolific power play and surprising youngsters stepping up. However, Quinn's bias towards the pairing of Kaberle and McCabe seems to be coming home to roost. And with news of McCabe actually having a tear rather than just a strain, LeafNation will witness how artificially buoyant the team is in the standings as the under-utilized D take center stage.

Last night's game was an allegory for the two teams this season. After jumping out to an early lead, and able to re-take the lead after Colorado tied it up, the Leafs looked like a team capable of handling an elite squad.

Then the scary second period happened to the Leafs. On successive stupid penalties for hooking and (the second of the game) too many men, the Avs took the lead on two quick strikes by Milan 'I'm still deadly' Hejduk. Belfour let in a softy from Cody 'my third ever NHL goal' McCormick from the wing to make it 4-2. Svatos added a fifth before the nightmare of a period came to an end, but the Leafs' night was basically done.

Sundin added a PPG to ease the pain, but I had already fallen half-asleep after my third whiskey sour, and I wanted my wooby.

Leaf Lines
Steen-Sundin-O'Neill
Ponikarovsky-Allison-Antropov
3rd and 4th lines were practically invisible
Even Kilger and Wilm didn't do much

Leafs Pairings
Kaberle-Colaiacovo
Klee-Berg
Kronwall-Khavanov

-Comic Relief-
three hilarious ads for the Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL

Next Up, the Wild of Minnesoter. 5-5-0 in their last ten, and way out of contention in the West.

The Leafs rebounded with a big win over the Wild. Kyle Wellwood had a goal and an assist.

4-2 Leafs win.