The post-lockout Leafs have yet to make the playoffs, BUT they have produced some memorable games. I'd love to hear some of yours, but in the meantime...
My top 10 since then:
10
November 23, 2009
vs Islanders - 4-3 overtime loss
Fired 61 shots at Dwayne Roloson, scoring just 3 times. Hard to say if the game was encouraging or discouraging? Lot's of effort, but again few results. And 58 saves for Roloson? Hey, that's 18 more than his age. 40 is the new 22 for an opposing goalie...in Toronto.
9
October 29, 2005
at Ottawa - 8-0 loss
Leafs embarrassed by a Senators team beginning to show it's post-lockout might, especially over their Ontario rivals. Tough days for the Leafs. Hard to believe though the Sens didn't come away from that era with a cup. Almost.
8
April 11, 2006
vs Panthers - 6-5 win in OT
Sundin went bananas scoring 4 goals, picking up 6 points. Former Leaf, Joe Nieuwendyk turned a hat trick himself for Florida. Tomas Kaberle, the OT winner. Too bad it was a nothing game. Both teams were out of the playoff mix at that point. Still, great to see Sundin put up mad digits like that. I used to follow his box scores like I did Gretzky's.
7
February 21, 2009
vs Canucks - 3-2 shootout loss
Sundin plays his first NHL game in Toronto since choosing not to rejoin the Leafs in 2008. And what do you know, he scored the shootout winner. The game paused briefly in the 3rd period while Sundin was given a standing ovation by the ACC crowd. Very emotional. For him. And for us who respect him so deeply.
6
March 23, 2007
at Buffalo - 5-4 loss
In a game truly indicative of how heartbreaking the Leafs can be, they'd surrender 4 straight 3rd period goals to the Sabres losing in Buffalo yet again. Tough pill to swallow. Those lost points could've helped Paul Maurice's Leafs make the playoffs later that Spring.
5
November 1st, 2008
vs Rangers - 5-3 win
Trailed early, but bulldozed way past Steve Valiquette and a stunned Rangers team with 5 3rd period goals, two from John Mitchell. A real explosive display of hockey. It was a splendid night rarely duplicated in the months to follow.
4
March 20, 2007
vs Devils - 2-1 win
A one goal victory highlighted by Wade Belak's centre ice scrap with Cam Janssen, who knew he had it coming. 18 days earlier Janssen injured Tom Kaberle with a dirty hit in New Jersey.
3
December 18, 2007
at Carolina - 3-2 loss in OT
They had this one in the bag. Up by a pair with a 1:25 to play then things went rotten. The Canes got one, followed by another in the dying seconds thanks to Alexei Ponikarovsky's brain cramp. All Poni had to do was dump it in OR simply fill that empty net provided to him. Instead he was stripped of the puck by Erik Cole seconds before Cory Stillman scored to tie it. The Canes would win the game in overtime. It's maybe the worst of the Leafs' many demoralizing losses since October 2005.
2
April 7, 2007
vs Habs - 6-5 win
It came on game 82 of the season, and to this day still the most satisfying of the Leafs' post-lockout victories. Geez, over the Habs, in comeback fashion giving the Leafs, for about 20 hours anyway, a hold on the 8th playoff spot in the East? It's as close as they've come to the postseason since before the lockout. Of course, Wade Dubielewicz and the Islanders would burn'em the next day with that crazy shootout win in New Jersey. Dubielewicz is doing just fine for himself these days...in the AHL.
1
October 14, 2006
vs Flames 5-4 win in OT
Mats scored 3 that magical night. The trick turner, one of the greatest goals we'll ever witness. In OT, down a man, he crossed the blue line and fired a missile so filthy Miikka Kiprusoff appeared to concede before the puck actually hit the upper back bar. Oh, and the goal was the 500th for Mats' career. I'll never forget this one.
Your turn. Can you extract some juicy memories from this dry period in Maple Leafs' history?
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