Toronto Maple Leafs

New Leafs To Play Consecutive Games Vs. Devils

Trial by fire.  That should be something the new Leafs are used to, they did play for the Calgary Flames after all.  Even J.S. Giguere was a Flame once upon a time, so it seems fitting that the new look Leafs will be skating in two consecutive games against one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.

Dion Phanuef was skating with Francois Beauchemin and joined Tomas Kaberle on the top pairing for the PP, at various points in yesterday’s practice. Meanwhile Fredrik Sjostrom was skating on a line alongside Rickard Wallin and Nikolai Kulemin, while the Leafs focused their offensive tools on a top line that saw Alexei Ponikarovsky join Tyler Bozak and Phil Kessel.  Lee Stempniak skated along with John Mitchell and the out of place Jeff Finger, who will likely be replaced with Christian Hanson before tomorrow night’s game.

That leaves Wayne Primeau, Colton Orr, and Jay Rosehill on the 4th line for the Leafs and the remaining D were Luke Schenn, Carl Gunnarsson, and Garnet Exelby.

The Leafs face a Devils squad that was led by Zach Parise and Travis Zajac to victory slightly less than a week ago.  Hopefully new starting goalie J.S. Giguere can channel some of his Conn Smythe magic in facing down the team he won that trophy against eons ago.  Jonas Gustavsson will be the backup for the rest of the season, eventually alternating starts after the Olympic Break when the schedule condenses more.

I don’t honestly expect the Leafs lines to remain the way they are long term.  Viktor Stålberg will likely be called up eventually, and I doubt Wallin and Mitchell will impress much with an increased opportunity on the offensive side of things.  I also see Lee Stempniak playing an increased role in the short term.  It is entirely possible that Stempniak and Ponikarovsky are dealt in the near future though, unless either one or both agrees to a reasonable contract.

The closing part of this year is basically an extended try out for the next season.  The key will not be winning games or shooting for the playoffs, so much as improving the defensive game, and playing competitive hockey.  I’m now looking forward to the game I’m going to see in March much more than I was previously.  There’s a new direction in Leaf land, and I’m curious to see where it takes things.

On another note, the Calgary Flames played the Philadelphia Flyers last night, and all 4 former Leafs were in the line up.  Stajan centred Iginla, and Hagman lined up with potential Ranger and fellow Finn Olli Jokinen.  Ian White was in the top pairing with Robyn Regehr, and Jamal Mayers was a 4th liner yet again.  I wish the former Leafs all the best, and expect them to be competitive.  That being said, I don’t particularly see the Flames excelling with the pieces they picked up.  Aside from cap space I’m not sure they’ve gained much.