Our Biggest Game Of The Season

I'm glad you're here. There's something I wanted to show you. This is a list of all the teams that have started an NHL season 4-and-oh since the lockout.

2005-6

Nashville 8 wins -- finished 4th in the West
Ottawa 6 wins -- finished 1st in the East

2006-7

Buffalo 10 wins — finished 1st in the East
Dallas 5 wins -- finished 6th in the West
Minnesota 6 wins -- finished 7th in the West

2007-8

Minnesota 5 wins -- finished 3rd in the West
Ottawa 5 wins -- finished 7th in the East

2008-9

Buffalo 4 wins -- finished 10th in the East
Edmonton 4 wins -- finished 11th in the West
Minnesota 4 wins -- finished 9th in the West
NY Rangers 5 wins -- finished 7th in the East
San Jose 4 wins -- finished 1st in the West

2009-10

Calgary 4 wins -- finished 10th in the West

The Leafs are the first team this season to reach 4 wins, off to their best start since 1993-4, but what does it mean to go 4-0-0? Nothing. The next game is the one that really matters. In fact, it might be the most important game of the season.

Behold: In five seasons since the lockout, only 13 teams have gone 4-and-oh to start an NHL campaign. Interestingly, the Minnesota Wild did it 3 times consecutively, winning 6 out of the gate in 2006, 5 in a row in 2007, and 4 in a row in 2008. The Senators have done it twice, winning 6 in a row to start the season in 2005 and 5 in a row in 2007. The longest win streaks to start a season belong to Buffalo (10 wins, 2006) and Nashville (8 wins 2005).

Now here's what I want you to notice: Of these 13 teams, only 5 failed to continue their winning ways into their 5th game, AND of those 5 teams (all from the last 2 seasons) that couldn't attain 5-and-oh perfection, 4 of them finished the season OUT of the playoffs. Their fast starts were all for naught eventually and didn't help them get into the post-season, nor were they an accurate indication of forthcoming success. In 2008, Buffalo, Edmonton, Minnesota, and San Jose all won their first 4 games of the season then lost their 5th and only San Jose went on to make the playoffs. Last year, Calgary was the only team to start 4-and-oh and they finished 10th and traded Dion Phaneuf. I simply can't imagine that happening but there it is.

However, there's a flipside: Of the 8 teams that managed to win their 5th game in a row to start the season and keep their perfect record intact to that point, all of them made the playoffs in those respective seasons. Since the lockout, NO TEAM HAS GONE 5-AND-OH AND MISSED THE PLAYOFFS. It seems to be a line that - if crossed - you can safely say, this team is legit. This team is more then just another playoff-pretender This team is "For Real".

I have to admit something: After the last pre-season game, I looked at the calender, and this was the game that worried me the most. I didn't tell anybody this, but I silently predicted to myself that the Leafs would win their first 4 games and then lose to the Islanders. It just seemed like it would be so typical. Now that half the premonition has come true, I'm really worried.

It's the perfect set-up for a let-down. A 4-game winning streak, coming home, fans excited, an uninteresting weaker team coming in on a 3-game losing streak (I wrote this ahead of time - I'm assuming the Islanders are going to lose to Colorado tonight), a Monday night, AND it's only on Leafs-TV. If this was any other season, this game is a guaranteed loss, no question.

But if this was any other Leafs team, they would have found a way to lose the opener. Instead, Giguere got his left pad on the puck in the dying seconds and the Leafs got 2 points. And if this were any other Leafs team, they would have surely blown the lead in the 3rd against the Penguins, being outshot 9-2 in the period. But they held on and won the game. And really, if this year's team in any way resembled any from the past 5 seasons since the lockout, then after squandering a 2-goal lead in the 3rd period (which seemed so very much like them) they most certainly would have folded or faded or had an unlucky bounce go against them, let an opponent's dirty trick get the better of them, let the referee screw them, or simply crumble and choke under the pressure. And lose. And then they'd console themselves by talking about picking up a valuable point and just doing the things they do well for a full 60 minutes and moral victories don't count in the standings but at least there are positives we can take and move forward, just need to concentrate on the little things, we're behind the 8-ball now and it's going to be an uphill battle but we still believe in ourselves, if we could just get a timely save and with a bit of better luck... who knows?

Nope. That's not us. Not anymore and never again we can only hope. Instead we're finding ways to win. We've scored the first goal 3 times out of 4. We've held a one goal lead in the 3rd period to win in regulation - twice. We've yet to surrender 30 shots in a game. We've won 2 games where we badly outshot our opponents and we've won 2 games despite being outshot. We've won 2 on the road and 2 at home. Our penalty kill has given up just one goal. Our powerplay has struck 3 times, including a perfectly executed 4-on-3 for an overtime winner. Thus far, this Leafs team is anything but typical.

Komisarek has 3 points and just 2 penalty minutes. Kaberle is a +3 and 2nd in time-on-ice.

"We could have put our head down and stopped skating and stopped trying," said goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. "Some teams would find a way to do that and find a way to lose. We found a way to win."

And that's why Monday's contest against the Islanders is oh so important and why, for the Leafs, 4-and-oh is only a good-but-not-yet-great beginning, and why our 5th game is easily the biggest game of the season so far. Consider it a must-win. History and statistics suggest we've got our backs up against the wall here but we gotta stick together, work harder, and prove that we're a much better team then our 4-0-0 record indicates and make sure we win that next game and keep our hopes alive.

Go Leafs Go!

On Second Thought, Moral Victories In The Pre-Season Are Fine

Things are starting to look up.

I'm not too concerned with shoot-out wins and losses. The Leafs are competing, and that's what counts at this stage. Young players are starting to shine. Leaders are starting to emerge. Puzzle pieces are coming together. The outlook is positive and the fun is just beginning.

Young Players Are Starting To Shine

Your favourite Italian and mine is now Luca Caputi. This kid's got some charm and isn't shy at all. Plus, I just love saying his name. Luca Caputi. I probably say it 50 times a day. Sometimes I don't even know I'm saying it. I use it to denote exclamation instead of words like yes or wow.

"Chicken wings and fries? Luca Caputi! Every night this week? Luca Caputi!"

I also use it as a stop-gap, instead of umm or y'know, when I can't think of what I want to say.

"I know it's late, but... uh-Luca Caputi... the internet needs me."

And my wife uses it as a code for marital harmony.

"Well, you can forget about any Luca Caputi this month!"

The list of words that compares with the linguistic eloquence of Luca Caputi is short: Godzilla, stormtrooper, cheeseburger, screwdriver, cannonball, alligator, donnybrook, dynamite, and jellO. That's your top 10 of all time. Luca Caputi comes in at number 4.

Oh, and the kid can play hockey. More then that, he seems to have a strong desire to make his presence felt, and force management to strongly consider his inclusion. In the 2 pre-season games he's played, Caputi has 4 points - 1 goal and 3 assists - to lead the team in scoring. He makes no mistake here (1:14) in his shoot-out attempt, and below, shows some quickness and grit by going to the net hard and slamming the loose puck home.

Leaders Are Starting To Emerge

Despite letting the Flyers slip back in last night's contest, Giguere was solid in net for the Leafs, showing veteran focus and poise, allowing the Leafs to concentrate on their game. Perhaps more importantly, the late collapse, however flukey, underscores where work needs to be done, and with 29 saves on 32 shots, we can be reasonably sure the fault isn't with the goaltending. In fact, Giguere's attitude and experience are already proving their worth as the goaltender lends his voice in a positive way after what could have been a demoralizing defeat.

"I think the last five minutes we stopped skating," said Giguere. "We thought the game was in the bag. It's a good example for a young group — hopefully we'll get a lesson out of this one and move forward learning something."

Another good sign Friday night was the impressive and encouraging play of both Dion Phaneuf and Kris Versteeg. Both of them had multiple point nights, scoring a goal and an assist each. Versteeg's goal was the result of clever presence around the net and the fearlessness required to gather and control a loose puck in the slot and then calmly deliver.

You can't do that if you're worried about screwing up. Versteeg carries the puck with confidence, is out there making plays, and looks strong and relaxed. Like Hagman did for brief flashes before him, Versteeg exemplifies what a complete hockey player should be and will hopefully show the young emerging stars like Kessel and Bozak how to comfortably travel the road to success.

Puzzle Pieces Are Coming Together

Friday night gave us our first look in a long time at what promises to be a fun pairing - Kaberle and Komisarek. They looked good together, and once they get completely familiar with each other's style - which never really happened last year - I think they're going to be very efficient and effective blueliners that can hurt opponents in a lot of different ways. Gunnarsson, Beauchemin, and Schenn all look to be in strong form already, and along with Captain Phaneuf, make an impressive group that should find chemistry less elusive this year.

Up front, Kessel, Bozak, and Kulemin looks like a legitimate top line that's going to be consistently dangerous. Versteeg could substitute in there very nicely, with Kulemin more then capable of playing on Grabbo's wing. MacArthur is still a question mark in my mind. Despite two assists he hasn't stood out much and has kind of a Stempniak quality about him, though he does have an infinitely cooler sounding name. Clarke. Right now I'd throw Caputi into the top-six, but it's still early.

That leaves Armstrong, Brown, Hanson, Kadri, Mitchell, and Mueller fighting for 3 spots. The remaining 2 will go to Orr and Sjostrom, though a body will have to be carried until the latter comes back. I think you can safely scratch Kadri and Mueller off that list as both could use a little seasoning though their futures look bright. The guy who should be most worried is John Mitchell.

Complicating matters, especially for John, is the solid effort of Wayne Primeau. It says a lot about this player's character that he was invited back to camp on a try-out, and says even more that he's found a way to work himself into the line-up. He must be doing all the right things in practice, and last night, Primeau was hustling and banging and making his case. Paired with Orr, he picked up an assist on Kessel's goal and helped give him the room to score by creating traffic in front. Primeau was a plus 1 over 11:40 ice time, with 5 shots on goal, and 2 penalty minutes.

If nothing ever comes of it, Primeau can at least move on knowing he hasn't embarrassed himself, and his competitive contribution to camp is appreciated. However, I think it's quite likely that Mitchell's time in Toronto is running out under Wilson without him showing a small leap forward in development. If so, that could open up a door for Primeau to get on to the roster as a utility player. Though he likely wouldn't have the endurance for a full 82-game season, Primeau's presence in the dressing room and on the road would be far more inspirational then John Mitchell's, while, I suspect, his leadership held in higher regard.

Still 5 exhibition games to go, but it's nice to see things coming together, new leaders emerging, and the not-too-distant future looking bright. As I said, I'm not too worried about shoot-out wins and losses in the pre-season, and I guess the refs can't be blamed on Kessel's no-goal in overtime. They apparently didn't get the memo that this year things are going to be different.

Game In Six - Kessel's goal at 4:50

BoOBbB 2009-2010: Episode IV

It's not often that we get a window into the personal lives of the public figures we follow. Just two months ago, many hockey fans were introduced to Brendan Burke, and given a glimpse of his relationship with his father Brian. It is a profound tragedy that Brendan's life then ended so suddenly this Friday night, for many of us, beyond respecting and admiring his father, appreciated and were enlightened by his own story. I'm sure I'm not alone in saying that I feel deeply grieved for Brian Burke's loss and wish him the very best.

Our previous night's defeat to the Devils was defintely one of the toughest results of this difficult season, and that's saying a lot. While the sad news of Brendan Burke's passing simply can't be measured, perhaps getting back to hockey quickly again will do some good for the fans and players alike. The Battle of (yawn) Ontario resumes with the Sens coming into Toronto riding a ridiculous 11-game winning streak.

Before the game begins there is a moment of silence for Brendan Burke.

Bob Cole's voice calling tonight's game on CBC. Wonderful.

First Period

18:59 Penalty. A holding call behind the Ottawa goal. Leafs go to the powerplay early as Carkner goes to the box.

18:24 Good shot by Phaneuf on a one-timer from Kaberle, stopped by Elliotte.

17:30 Phaneuf blast blocked by Ruutu.

16:59 Penalty expires.

16:30 Hanson throws a hit deep in the Ottawa zone.

15:59 Penalty. Kulemin taken down a centre-ice. Picard for tripping.

15:16 GOAL!!! Kessel scores. Phaneuf, set up by Kaberle, blasts one off the post. Kessel grabs the rebound and gets two whacks at it, bouncing it in. Powerplay goal, Kessel, from Phaneuf and Kaberle.

14:50 Orr with a spin-around shot in the slot, stopped by Elliotte.

13:25 Alfie gets the boos.

12:45 Giguere handles the puck smoothly to keep the Leafs out of danger, then holds a glove save for a whistle after the Leafs turn over the puck, killing momentum. Little things sometimes make a big difference.

11:35 Fight! Orr and Carkner. Gee whiz. Orr destroys Carkner with 3 solid shots to the face. The lights are still on but it looks like there's nobody home for Carkner who gets sent to the dressing room.

9:00 Schenn throws a good hit.

8:00 Giguere with a solid save at the side of the goal and holds the puck, ending another dangerous Ottawa shift early.

6:55 Michalek with a partial breakaway, Giguere makes the save look easy.

6:25 Alfie cutting in on net, save Giguere, then gets bumped by the Ottawa Captain. No penalty! Great save Giguere. Can't believe there's no call for goaltender interference. Junk.

6:08 Penalty. Kovalev snaps Bozak's stick for a stupid penalty. Leafs' third powerplay of the period.

4:50 Nothing doin' with the man-advantage. Mitchell falls for no reason and the Senators clear the puck again.

4:08 Powerplay ends without a shot on goal.

3:45 GOAL!!! Luke Schenn. My God! What a goal! Sailing over the blue line like Bobby Orr, Schenn rifles a slap shot past Elliott. 2-0 Toronto. Sjostrom and Wallin get assists on OLAS' goal.

3:17 GOAL!!! Beautiful goal. Tic-tac-toe play between 4 players. Schenn starts it off but I don't think he's going to get an assist. Kessel and Bozak assisting on Ponikarovsky' 20th goal. Correction: After announcing the goal as Poni's, it's determined that the puck went in off an Ottawa player and Bozak gets credit for the goal. Kessel with an assist still, and Schenn picks up the second assist.

1:40 2-on-1. Hanson shooting, Elliotte makes the save, then Carkner is called for elbowing Mitchell behind the play.

0:25 Hanson gives the puck away but then does a nice job backchecking and spoils a breakaway for the Sens.

Period ends. Shots 13-11 for Toronto, score 3-0. Giguere's 4th scoreless period for the Leafs.

Second Period

19:40 Great diving shot block by Poni.

17:58 Penalty. Kovalev for hooking. in the Ottawa zone.

16:50 Not a good shoot-in by Phaneuf but the Leafs retain possession after Elliotte gives the puck away.

16:00 Kuelmin bangs a puck loose from Elliotte's pads and the puck trickles past the open goal. Hanson isn't there in time to jam it in.

14:34 Penalty. Good chance for the Sens. Neal's shot stopped then another chance on the rebound, stopped by Giguere. However a holding penalty on the play to Luke Schenn.

12:55 Phaneuf, XLB get signals crossed. Spezza carries the puck off-side.

12:30 Hanson, Stempniak 2-on-1, shot by Hanson stopped by Elliotte's blocker. Shorthanded pressure continues as Hanson gets 2 more shots. Penalty expires.

8:50 Great chance for the Sens. Giguere somehow keeps it out. Cheechoo's shot from the slot is stopped through a screen and then the rebound gets lost in traffic as Regin can't bang it in.

7:35 Penalty. Ponikarovsky for hooking. Seems like a weak call.

7:00 Spezza nearly breaks in, gets hit, spun around, loses the puck.

6:30 Fans are really on Alfredsson.

6:10 Great shift by Stempniak. Nice backchecking and throws a big hit before going off, fans applauding.

5:35 Penalty expires.

5:05 Kessel to Bozak, one-timer stopped by Elliotte.

4:00 Gunnarsson's hard shot from the point hits Elliotte in the chest.

3:20 Cheechoo stopped from in close on his own rebound.

2:00 Sjostrom with great puck retrieval behind the Sens goal, centres to Kulemin who just misses the tap in.

1:35 GOAL!!! Kessel. Wow. Kessel carries the puck through the neutral zone and over the line and fires a lazer past Elliotte. Huge game for Kessel. His 3rd point tonight, and his 20th goal of the season. Assists to Bozak and Poni.

0:10 Phaneuf shot from the blueline is a bullet. Elliotte hangs on.

Period ends. Shots in that period 17-11 for the Leafs, 30-22 overall. Score 4-0. Giguere has 5 straight shut-out periods, 100 minutes without giving up a goal, since joining the Leafs.

Third Period

20:00 Leclaire replaces Elliotte in goal for Ottawa.

18:30 Regin shot from in close off Giguere's shoulder.

17:40 Kaberle's shot gets through a screen, nice save by Leclaire.

17:25 Kaberle's helmet knocked off, still plays the puck cooly. Even cooler now, actually.

16:40 Big rebound by Giguere, bit of a mad scramble but no one can find the puck as it bounces harmlessly away.

16:16 Penalty. Orr goes for crosschecking Neil in front of the net.

15:00 Fisher cuts into the zone and gets a backhand shot on goal and then bumps Giguere.

14:45 Sjostrom with a nifty chance shorthanded, Leclaire had to be sharp.

14:00 Stempniak blocks a shot and then breaks the other way, fires a slapshot wide from just inside the line.

11:43 GOAL!!! Luke Schenn. Holy God! Schenn does itagain. A 2-on-1 with Hanson and Schenn plays the shot the whole way, firing the puck past Lecalire. 5-nothin'. This is looking to be the Leafs most lopsided victory of the season. Luke Schenn having an awesome game. 3-point night.

10:50 Solid "Go Leafs Go!" chant.

10:00 Orr banged along the boards by Volchenkov.

9:28 Penalty. Kulemin hit from behind by Regin. Another offensive zone infraction. Pretty sloppy. Sens winning streak goes out with a whimper.

9:15 Schenn looking for the hat-trick on the powerplay, fires from dead-centre on the blueline, stopped by Leclaire.

8:22 Penalty. Leafs powerplay ends as Hanson gets called for boarding, yet another penalty 180-feet from the goal. Not a great call, but it's 5-0 so who cares.

8:00 Leafs fans doing the wave? This may be our one chance this year to celebrate a victory like this. Go on. Let it all out.

7:28 Leafs survive 4-on-4. Sens powerplay begins.

6:22 Sens powerplay goes by without a good chance. Leafs fans still doing the wave and getting louder. This is more then just cheering for this one game. This is a salute to the new Leafs - the team that Burke is building - that seems re-energized and has the fans excited again. And by extension, it's a salute to Brian Burke the man himself, and then the emotion kicks in, and it's an outpourring of appreciation and spirit.

5:15 God, listen to the fans. Huge "Go Leafs Go!" chant.

5:05-4:05 Energy from the fans carries the game for another minute, play is mostly held to the perimeter, dump in, dump out.

2:05 Ottawa running out the clock. No hitting.

0:30 Ruutu drives the net. Great save by Giguere to preserve the shutout.

0:00 Game ends. Back-to-back shutouts for Giguere. Six periods without a goal since joining the Leafs. Unbelievable. What a game for Kessel and Schenn. Both of them have 2 goals and both assist on the other goal by Bozak. Honourable mention to Hanson who also played a great game at both ends of the ice.

The Third Star - J.S Giguere

The Second Star - Luke Schenn

The First Star - Phil Kessel

The BoOBbB continues...