What a series it’s been just two games into the best of seven. It was a couple grueling overtime battles which led to the Capitals winning the first game and the Leafs winning the second. Both goalies have been exceptional but Toronto’s Frederik Andersen has been unstoppable and certainly performing as the Leafs management team hoped he would when they traded for him last June. Some eyebrows may have been raised when Lou Lamoriello inked Andersen to a 5 year, 25 million dollar salary before playing a single game in the blue and white.
Those eyebrows are now painted blue as Leafs Nation erupted after that legendary overtime winner generated by the Leafs fourth line (Martin – Boyle) with rookie Kasperi Kapanen burying his second of the game and winner. It really was an incredible dish by Boyle who fed a no look backhander right on the tape of Kapanen who made no mistake. It seems as if Kapanen is making a name for himself as a clutch goal scorer; let’s hope he can keep it up as the series is far from over yet.
With the Leafs playing the way they have and players stepping it up a notch you can now see why my prediction of Leafs in six isn’t so farfetched. If you ask me, the Leafs have been the better of the two teams after two games and could easily be up 2-0.
By far the best chances the Capitals have had were on the power play. They have a ton of high-end firepower when it comes to the man advantage and with the refereeing being as mind boggling as it has been the Leafs really have to do all they can to stay out of the penalty box.
Toronto’s defense has taken a hit with the injury to Roman Polak. He was the Leafs toughest most beastly defender and without a doubt he will be missed going forward. It looked painful, very painful the way Polak got twisted up before landing on his leg so awkwardly.
On another note, the Leafs defensemen have been outstanding. Gardiner and Rielly especially have been logging huge minutes, making few mistakes and really pushing the play on the ice with a solid effort both offensively and defensively. Rielly seems as if he’s really stepped up his game now that we are in the playoffs, and Gardiner, this kid is possessed right now! He’s without a doubt playing the best hockey he’s played in his career. Great work by Mike Babcock and his coaching staff as they have worked some magic bringing out the best in Gardiner and he sure is blossoming at the right time!
There may be some good news for the Leafs as it looks as if Nikita Zaitsev will be returning to the Maple Leafs lineup tonight. We can only hope as he’s been a staple for the Leafs, especially since Polak is now out for the remainder of the series.
It’s amazing to think back to when this season begun and the Leafs were coming in with zero expectations to do anything. A new goalie, a couple handfuls of rookies and what looked to be a very weak defensive core. Well, it goes without saying that this Leafs team has surpassed any and all expectations throughout the regular season and is relishing the glory of a playoff run.
The little things are what counts to Leafs coach Mike Babcock. All those little things add up as the season goes on, from tying up your player on a draw to getting position in front of a player by the Leafs net. Every minor detail is to be accounted for on each and every shift, especially defensive liability. Well, all that time and dedication by the Leafs and their coaching staff is paying off. Puck possession, digging hard in the corners and winning battles, you name it the boys in blue and white are doing it right.
It seemed as if the Leafs were winning all of the face-offs as game two went on. Matthews and Boyle specifically seemed like they had no intentions of losing the draw; pure domination.
With Toronto having three scoring lines and a powerful fourth line full of a little bit of everything (speed – Kapanen, size/smarts - Boyle, and hitting/frothing at the mouth – Martin). They have been unstoppable, scoring two huge goals in game two but really showing they can chew up minutes in the offensive zone letting Babcock rest his top lines. We all know how important that is due to how much Babs likes to match lines ultimately giving the Leafs the best chance possible to win.
Could it be the game that Nylander and Matthews cash in?
Maybe the Leafs have the Capitals worried and they are going to start to cough up a few big turnovers as they buckle under the pressure?
Perhaps this is the game the Maple Leafs come out the gates with the guns a blazing and chase Holtby out?
Whatever game it is, I for one am loving this playoff action and the effort put forth by the young Leafs.
Did you get a chance to see “Dart Guy… in Washington? Well it looks as if he wil be attending game three in Toronto as the Leafs have got the wild man a tickets for tonight’s game. He defines Leafs Nation, at least the rawness aspect of it.
Leafs square will be electric tonight as Toronto is looking to have their first lead of the series after a big win tonight at home at the Air Canada Center.
Stock up the fridge, prepare for battle!
Puck drop is just ten hours away!
Thanks for reading, Go Leafs Go!