Well Leafs Nation, could that game have been any more exciting? The game was back and forth which is typical for a game featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens.
Both teams came out hard and gritty. Montreal came out flying dictating the early pace of the game. Early in the first a scary moment happened when Brian Gionta ran into James Reimer, forcing Reimer to lose his helmet. Reimer was shaken up and taken out of the game as a precaution at the end of the period. Gionta was given a two-minute penalty for goaltender interference on the play.
As the Leafs power play went to work they give up a shorthanded goal. The goal arose when two of the Habs players drove to the net and Reimer looked very tentative, (still shaking off the affects of the Gionta collision) and was forced way back. This goal allowed the Habs to take an early one to nothing lead, before Toronto would respond a short time later on another power play.
Jonas Gustavsson was in net to start the second period, leaving Leaf Nation gasping. After Gustavsson let in the first shot he faced, fans and management alike were left asking themselves what will we do if Reimer is injured for an extended period of time? Luckily Leafs Nation, you won’t have to worry for long, as Reimer should be back Monday night to take on the Philadelphia Flyers.
After trailing two to one after Gustavsson let in the first shot he faced, the man known as Phil the Thrill came back 37 seconds later to tie the game at two. The Leafs would then take their first lead of the game on a Dion Phaneuf blast from the point on another power play. Yes that is right fans the Leafs had two power play goals on the night.
Entering the third period the Leafs appeared to sit back for a short period of time. This in turn proved costly, as the Habs tied the game on a Mike Cammalleri rocket just in side the blue line. Then Travis Moen picked up his second goal of the game to let the Habs take the lead four to three. However, that is when Leafs Captain Dion Phaneuf took over the game, as he and the Grabovski line had an excellent rush, which ended with Nikolai Kulemin scoring the game-tying goal. After regulation the Buds and the Habs were tied at four.
The game came to an end quickly in overtime, as the previously mentioned Grabovski scored the game-winning goal. Grabo came out from behind the Habs net and made a nice spinning deke before depositing the game winner. Final Score Leafs 5 Canadiens 4.
Toronto’s victory over Montreal was also huge in the standings, as thanks to a Tampa Bay shutout over the Buffalo Sabres, the Leafs were able to take sole possession of first in the Northeast division. It is absolutely fantastic to see the Leafs contending early this season. However, with that being said, can the Leafs keep it up all season long and finally make the playoffs?
The next step in Toronto’s quest to make the playoffs will take place Monday October 24, 11 when they battle the new look Philadelphia Flyers. This is an important game, as the Leafs have been deadlocked in the standings with the Flyers on a couple of different occasions. You can watch the game on Leafs TV at 7pm and then tune in to the best damn post game show afterwards at Leafs Talk Radio.
Written by: Stephen Marshall (@hockeyman1929)
Edited by: Eric Freedlander (@Three_2_Lose)
Posted by: John Davis (@Hockeyman1981)
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