The two things that the Toronto Maple Leafs can be most thankful for after losing 4-1 to the Bruins last night in Boston are that goaltender James Reimer played well in his first game action in over six weeks and that they only have to face the Stanley Cup champs on two more occasions and the next time will not be until March.
The Bruins were able to limit the Leafs offense to just 22 shots on former draft pick Tuukka Rask and stymied the NHL's second ranked power-play, killing off four Toronto opportunities, while taking advantage of lax defensive zone and turnovers.
Coach Ron Wilson earlier in the week referred to the back to back contests as a measuring stick of how far his team had progressed and surely the results have shown that more work is to be done.
The only player that seems to not be intimidated or flummoxed by Boston is Mikhail Grabovski, who scored Toronto's only goal midway through the second period to tie the score 1-1.
The key matchup was again won by Boston, as league-leading scorer Phil Kessel, along with linemates Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak were successfully held scoreless by the Bruins top line of Lucic-Krejci-Horton and behemoth defenseman Zdeno Chara, while surrendering Krejci’s opening goal in the first and Horton's insurance marker late in the third.
It is not shameful to admit that the team that won it all last season is better, but Boston's domination of Toronto in recent years has been in almost every aspect of the game; offensively, defensively, physically and psychologically. This fact is something that GM Brian Burke, Wilson and the Toronto organization recognizes and will need to address if they eventually hope to progress as a successful playoff team in the coming years.
The Leafs have a quick turnaround as they face the Rangers tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden in New York, before returning home to face the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night.
Toronto won 4-2 in their only previous match up against a struggling, road weary Rangers squad, which was the home opener at the refurbished MSG on October 27, but since have flourished at home and have been second only to Boston as the hottest team in the league, winning their last five games in a row.
What Wilson and his young club need to do is not fall into an emotional rut after two significant setbacks. Toronto finds itself sixth in the Eastern Conference standings with 30 points but are a tenuous three points away from falling out of a playoff position.
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