Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Celebrate win against the Boston Bruins, In last years playoffs outside the

Air Canada Center.

The Toronto Maple Leafs defeat the Pittsburg Penguins at home, In a Battle for First Place of the Eastern Conference
Just after suffering their fourth loss loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets (5-5-0) on Friday night, The Toronto Maple Leafs (8-4-0) were back at it again for Hockey Night in Canada where they hosted Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburg Penguins at the Air Canada Center in a battle for first place overall in the eastern conference. The Hometown Buds were out shot again 38-29 but were able overcome and early 1-0 lead to come out with a 4-1 win for the home crowd. Facing 38 shots James Reimer was solid in net for the Maple Leafs in just his fifth start of the season. He tested early and often but came up huge at times in net. Head Coach Randy Carlyle has always stated that you dont win in this league with goaltending and had similar words after the game "You don't win in this league without goaltending that gives

you a chance, and Reims gives us a chance". In just his second game of the season Kris Letang opened up the scoring early in the game with a powerplay goal just 6:52 seconds into the first period, on a shot that beat Reimer low on his blocker side. Letang received a pass from Evgeni Malkin who was circling behind the goal and found Letang in high slot. However that would be lone goal for penguins, that couldnt find a way beat Reimer despite having numerous great chances.

You don't win in this league without goaltending that gives you a chance, and Reims gives us a chance,"
"

-Randy Carlyle, Head Coach Toronto Maple Leafs Dave Bolland tied the game on a short-handed goal and with less than four minutes to play in the first period. Bolland who would also add an empty net goal, received a long slap pass that sent him on a breakaway from Captain Dion Phaneuf and wired a slap shot past Marc-Andre Fleury to tie the game before heading into the second period. I sort of thought Dion was going to throw the puck down the ice there. But I think he just caught me in a blink of his eye. I know Fleury comes out, so I just had to shoot it by him. I was thinking shot. Things didnt start looking up for the Leafs in a scoreless second period. They were out skated and out shot (16-4). The start of the third period it looked like the Leafs had turned the tables and found their legs. Replacing the injured Tyler Bozak on the top line between Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk. Was the 7th overall pick from the 2009 draft Nazem Kadri who negotiated a new contract over the summer. Kadri found the back of the net with nifty deke and nice pass from new line mate Phil Kessel, which would eventually be the game winner. Playing 19:46 seconds Kadri looked like the potential number one center the Leafs have been dying for since the departure of Mats Sundin. Ive been saying it all along: I want to be one of those guys that Randy can count on and this team can count on, said Kadri. Thats not just scoring goals. Kadri was assigned the difficult task of playing against two of the worlds top player in Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. Even his head coach who is a stickler for details and work ethic praised Kadri. Nazem played hard, said Carlyle. Anytime you play against those level of players, theyre world-class players. I thought Nazem had that little extra. Kadri who was once criticized for his lack of defensive play has flourish under his Carlyle. Torontos leading score was at it again tallying his seventh goal on the powerplay.

Ive been saying it all along: I want to be one of those guys that Randy can count on and this team can count on,
-Nazem Kadri, Center

Toronto Maple Leafs Phil Kessel scored with just three minutes left in the third period on a play that started with defensemen Cody Franson who also negotiated a new contract over the summer, which led to Franson missing training camp and part of the pre-season. Franson found a somewhat of an open Van Riemsdyk down low, who was at the side of the net. Van Riemsdyk showed his nice hands as hes done before this season with a between the legs shot on goal. Than getting his own rebound and finding a wide open Kessel across crease. Kessel was right at the doorstep and wasted no time barring it home for insurance goal. Torontos defense hasnt been stellar this season giving up more than thirty shots average, per game. But their defense has put up some decent offensive numbers considering some of the young talent Toronto has on its blue line. With the emergence of two young superstars Jake Gardner who was acquired via trade in the deal that saw Francois Beachamen shipped to the Anaheim Ducks for Jake Gardner and Joffrey Lupul. Gardner has been impressive so far this season and showed his puck moving skills last night against the penguins. And as for arguably the most promising prospect in for The Toronto Maple Leafs is Morgan Reilly who has steadily progressed since his first game. He looked good last night as well, especially since after receiving the news that he will be spending the remainder of the season with the big club. Reilly was the fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft and showed poise beyond his years.

Anytime you play against those level of players, theyre world-class players. I thought Nazem had that little extra.
-Randy Carlyle, Head Coach Toronto Maple Leafs Last nights game against the Penguins also marked the return of David Clarkson to his first home game at the Air Canada Center with his new club. The Maple Leafs prized offseason acquisition made his debut Friday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Maple Leafs. Clarkson, a former New Jersey Devil signed a seven year thirty six million dollar contract when he became a free agent. He also group up in Toronto and was an avid Leafs fan. Clarkson was serving a 10 ten game suspension for leaving the bench when a brawl broke out between an uneven match between John Scott and Phil Kessel. Its still early in the season and even though the Maple Leafs defeated one of the top teams in the Nation Hockey League they still have a ton of work to do if they want to prove they are a contended. The Leafs head off on a three game road trip this week with stops in Edmonton on Tuesday, Calgary on Wednesday and Finally the Vancouver on Friday. They will be looking to get the full points in each game in order to stay on top in a very competitive conference.