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Reimer Robs Victory Over Devils; Leafs Vs Capitals, Lupul In Lineup

April 16, 2013, 11:24 AM ET [1364 Comments]
Mike Augello
Toronto Maple Leafs Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Pure and simple, the Toronto Maple Leafs were not deserving of the 2-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, but earned a valuable two points thanks to a stellar performance from James Reimer.

“Our goaltender stole us a hockey game,” said coach Randy Carlyle of his 25 year old netminder, who made 32 saves(including 16 in the third period) for his 17th victory and third shutout of the season.



Toronto had a difficult time generating any kind of offensive attack throughout the game, as they were limited to 13 shots by a combination of their own shortcomings and the Devils stifling defense.

“We did not play anywhere near what our expectations were.” Carlyle said “We did not have our work boots on and we got out-competed early in the game.”

The Leafs finally broke through late in the third on the power play, as Phil Kessel snapped a shot from the top of the faceoff circle that eluded Devils goalie Martin Brodeur for his 16th of the season.

Jay McClement scored his eighth goal of the season into an empty net to ice away the victory.

Toronto has an impressive 9-1-4 record since March 16 and has a firm hold on fifth place in the Eastern Conference with 53 points; five points ahead of the Ottawa Senators. With the win on Monday, the Leafs have moved to within four points of Northeast Division leading Montreal, who were thrashed 7-3 by the Philadelphia Flyers at the Bell Centre.

Kessel, who was named the NHL’s Second Star Of The Week on Monday, now leads the Leafs in scoring with 43 points and is one goal behind Nazem Kadri for the team lead in goals, which is quite an achievement when you consider that he started off the lockout-shortened 48 game schedule without a goal in the first 10 games. After going without a goal in nine straight, Kessel has scored six goals in the last four games.

McClement, who now has three empty net goals on the year, continues to be one of the league’s most versatile and defensively dependable forwards. His key contributions taking faceoffs, killing penalties and his ability to play the wing and center could earn the 30 year old Kingston, ON native serious consideration for a Selke Trophy nomination.

Reimer earned standing ovations in the third period as he made 16 saves, including an incredible right pad stop on Patrik Elias.

The Morweena, MB native appears more driven after it became widely known that the Leafs attempted to acquire veteran netminder Miikka Kiprusoff from Calgary at the trade deadline. Reimer received a testimonial from Rangers All-Star goalie Henrik Lundqvist last week and after last night’s victory from shutout king and future Hall-of-Famer Martin Brodeur.

"If he plays like that every game, I don't know why they were looking for another goalie," Brodeur said to the Toronto Sun’s Mike Zeisberger.

"He made some great saves and showed a lot of poise in there. He didn't get rattled. He didn't handle the puck much, but he was still very impressive."


“That Is Larceny” – Joe Bowen

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Kyle Cicerella of Canadian Press reports that the Leafs have signed winger Josh Leivo to a tryout contract for the remainder of the 2012-13 season, which will allow him to play for the Toronto Marlies for the remainder of the regular season and into the AHL Playoffs.

The 19 year old Leivo scored 29 goals and 44 assists with the Sudbury and Kitchener in the OHL this season and scored three goals and nine assists for the Rangers in the playoffs.

*******
The Leafs have a chance to clinch their first playoff spot in nine years in Washington on Tuesday, but they will have to defeat the only team in the NHL that is hotter than they are.

The Washington Capitals lead the Southeast Division with 48 points and have gone 11-1-1 since March 21 and are unbeaten in seven games going into tonight’s contest at the Verizon Center.

Winger Alex Ovechkin has been red-hot, scoring 16 goals in the last month to take a one goal lead over Tampa’s Steven Stamkos for the Rocket Richard Trophy.

With Toronto playing on back to back nights, Ben Scrivens is expected to get the start.


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