Leafs at Sabres

by Chemmy on Dec 18, 2009 1:30 PM EST in Maple Leafs Game Previews

On November 9th, 2007 Andrew Raycroft shut out the Buffalo Sabres. Since then the Leafs are 2-8-1 against Buffalo with their last win coming more than a calendar year ago on December 12th at the HSBC Center. To say Buffalo has our number is a huge understatement.

The Leafs are a team that allow a lot of goals and whose offense is often stymied by hot goaltenders. The Sabres have lots of forwards who can score and the best goaltender in the league right now; Ryan Miller.

Vesa Toskala will get his seventh start in a row tonight. His last showing was piss poor but on the whole he's played almost acceptably and to be honest that's good enough for this team. The Leafs don't need Toskala to be a superstar or even to be league average, and let's face it he won't ever be, they need Toskala to not singlehandedly lose games. Over their past games the Leafs are 4-2-0 with Toskala putting up an 0.899 save percentage over that span. Take out the Phoenix game and the Leafs went 4-1-0 over a five game stretch where Toskala put up a league average save percentage of 0.913.

Luke Schenn is out of the press box tonight and Viktor Stalberg was called up from the Marlies. Jeff Finger was benched for most of the third against Phoenix so I'd expect him to sit, while Rickard Wallin was invisible again and will make room for Vik. I'd like to see Stalberg get some time with Stempniak and Primeau on a checking line that's incredibly quick and drives to the net for goals. Stalberg's goals in the preseason came from hard nosed play in front of the net and it'd be nice to see him get back to that.

Last year I got a great Christmas gift when the night before I flew to the Bahamas the Leafs knocked off Buffalo at home. I'm hoping that at the least this is some sort of weird annual thing. The Leafs have a tough weekend and coming out of it 1-1-1 would be huge. Let's get that started on the right foot tonight.

Remember your SPG picks, check out Die by the Blade for Sabres coverage and go Leafs go!

Tweet Comment 37 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

His last showing was piss poor but on the whole he’s played almost acceptably and to be honest that’s good enough for this team. The Leafs don’t need Toskala to be a superstar or even to be league average

This is the kind of statement that makes me feel like, if we had a legit star goalie, we would probably be a contender. Stupid Raycroft.

Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.

by Shield on Dec 18, 2009 1:36 PM EST reply actions

you mean, stupid jfj

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Dec 18, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

serously, fuck JFJ

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 18, 2009 1:39 PM EST up reply actions

Seems to be the only thing Leaf fans can agree on these days…

Resident Capologist

by clrkaitken on Dec 18, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

that and the innate awesome that is Wendel Clark

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 18, 2009 1:41 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

rec'd

did somebody say wendel clark? Because I rec when someone does, and ask questions later.

by pevans on Dec 18, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions

Also

Raycroft sucks, Wellwood is fat, takes Matts forever to make a decision…

I think that pretty much covers the all inclusive things that Leaf fans agree with.

And what jared says right above me here.

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 18, 2009 1:42 PM EST up reply actions

Also, Phil Kessel is awesome, when putting aside the difference in opinions about the deal in which he was obtained.

Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.

by Shield on Dec 18, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

This should be like a T shirt or something.

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Dec 18, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

the FJF

by birky on Dec 18, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

I’d like to see Stalberg get some time with Stempniak and Primeau on a checking line that’s incredibly quick and drives to the net for goals.

Anybody have a napkin? I just drooled all over my keyboard…

Resident Capologist

by clrkaitken on Dec 18, 2009 1:38 PM EST reply actions

I need one for something a little worse than that…

Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.

by Shield on Dec 18, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

I may just do the double on TSN tonight… Leafs/Slugs than Washington/Couver

"If A is a success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 18, 2009 1:41 PM EST reply actions

I was thinking that too, fuck the nucks!

Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.

by Shield on Dec 18, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

At the same time

Any points taken by the west from the east works in our favour.

Leafs Nation: A drinking team with a hockey problem.

by nhlcheapshot on Dec 18, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

TSN is broadcasting this game?

Yessssssssss Piereeeeee

by Farfetched on Dec 18, 2009 1:52 PM EST reply actions

he’s gonna jizz all over that 10-foot defenseman.

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Dec 18, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions

WHAMMO! Tyler Myers is a MONSTER!!!

leaf fan stuck in ottawa, a localized black hole that will suck everything in that area to oblivion.

by stucky on Dec 18, 2009 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

If one thing happens tonight, i hope it is Myers has another shite game

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 18, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions

But you better watch out Jared, or you’re about to get WHAMMO’D!!!

/Pierre Mcguire’d

Space Weed Says Telling it like it is without a care about the mainstream's feelings
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding

by Kevin Sellathamby on Dec 18, 2009 1:58 PM EST up reply actions