The Leafs are hot, Crosby's cold and the bell rings on Round 2 in the Battle of Alberta.
Whether you are a card-carrying member of Leafs Nation or simply a casual observer, you have to be mildly intrigued by Toronto's undefeated start through three games thus far.
The Leafs, who have knocked off probable playoff teams Montreal, Ottawa and Pittsburgh, get another big test on Broadway Friday when they face the New York Rangers.
What has been most impressive has been the Leafs goaltending which many thought could be a sore spot for a team desperate to get back to the playoffs after a six-year (including the lockout season) absence. Jean-Sebastien Giguere started the first two games and for a guy who has struggled with injuries and mobility issues the past few years, he looked like he has found the fountain of youth. Then Jonas Gustavsson came in and stymied the Penguins.
It has been said repeatedly the Leafs don't have enough depth up front or proven scoring to be considered a sure-fire playoff team, but if their goaltending is above average, that takes some of the pressure off the offence. Honestly, how long can the Maple Leafs expect Clarke MacArthur to continue doing his Mario Lemieux impression? MacArthur, for the record, has four goals and five points through three games.
The Leafs won't go 82-0 this season, but as long as their goaltenders continue to perform at the level they have to date, they will continue to be in games.
SID VS. OVIE
One three- or four-point game and fans will forget all about Sidney Crosby's slow start to the year, but for now, his arch rival Alexander Ovechkin has a decided edge in terms of better start to the season. Crosby currently stands seventh in scoring on his team with just one goal and two points in four games while Ovechkin is currently tied for the league lead in points with four goals and seven points in four games. If Ovechkin were able to continue to score at this pace he would finish with 82 goals and 144 points which would obliterate his single-season high of 112 points set in 2007-08.
OILERS VS. FLAMES
The upstart Edmonton Oilers had their bubble burst in Minnesota Thursday night, but they have a chance to get back on the winning path Saturday when they play in Calgary against a Flames team that was decidedly flat in dropping a 3-0 decision to the lowly Florida Panthers Thursday night. Two teams coming off losses in the second meeting in the Battle of Alberta should make for an excellent game. Seems like the perfect time for Jarome Iginla to kick it into gear. To date, the Flames captain has been held pointless while his team has just three goals in three games. The Oilers new captain, Shawn Horcoff, has responded nicely to being handed the 'C' with two goals and three points in three games.
TOUGH CALL
Reason No. 1,247 why I wouldn't want Colin Campbell's job: I didn't think the Niklas Hjalmarsson hit on Buffalo's Jason Pominville was that bad, so I was surprised when the Chicago defenceman was suspended for two games. But if this is the new direction the league is going to ensure better player safety, that is good, too. The suspension is a clear indication the NHL is following through on its intention to crack down on head shots and there is a new sensibility regarding blindside hits. After watching the play countless times, it looked to me like Hjalmarsson hit the Buffalo winger from the side, not from behind, and furthermore, I thought Pominville left himself in a vulnerable position by not being aware of where the Chicago defenceman was. Still, when a player is inured, the league must look long and hard at the circumstances and in this case, Campbell obviously thought the hit didn't pass the new smell test. Nobody likes to see a player carried off the ice under any circumstances, but as long as there is hitting in hockey, there are going to be injuries. It is clear the league wants players to be aware of when their opponents are in a vulnerable position and to let up a bit rather than crush them risking injury. If not, there is a price to be paid.
FISTRIC ON FRANZEN
As for the hit on Detroit's Johan Franzen by Dallas defenceman Mark Fistric Thursday night that knocked the Red Wings winger out of the game, again, I thought Franzen leaned into the hit and the Dallas defender did nothing wrong. If this hit occurred in the Ontario Hockey League, where head shots are strictly prohibited, Fistric would likely have been ejected. Fistric was not penalized on the play. We'll see where the NHL goes with this one.
