Toronto fans are wondering how their Leafs will fare in Tuesday’s match-up against the Florida Panthers. Last year, the Leafs were off to a flying start and then nothing. The team simply fizzled out, along with the Leafs tickets sales. They entered into a downward spiral from which they never really recovered. They failed to make the play-offs last season, finishing a disappointing tenth in the Eastern Conference with 85 points.
The Leafs are once again off to an amazing start. They are currently ranked number two in the Eastern Conference with nineteen points and they are one of the best teams on home ice with an impressive 5-1-1. However, their road game could definitely use some improvement. They are only 4-3-0 on the road.
Head Coach, Ron Wilson was not surprised by the results of last Saturday’s loss to the defending Stanley cup champions, the Boston Bruins. The Leafs were blasted 7 to 0. The Bruins controlled virtually every aspect of the game. Toronto is a young team, and Wilson was concerned that his group of players would be caught resting on their laurels. Despite his endeavors to try and keep the team focused, they were unable to compete against the more disciplined and experienced Bruins. Those that purchased Leafs tickets for that night expected more from their team.
The Florida Panthers are not a team to be taken lightly. They are in eighth place in the East, with fifteen points and most of those points have been earned on the road.
Ron Wilson has stated that he is going to put Jonas Gustavsson in net against the Panthers. This is not surprising, considering the poor performance Ben Scrivens put in during the loss against the Bruins. Although, the loss certainly does not rest squarely on his shoulders, Scriven’s play was less than stellar. He was pulled from the game after letting in five of Boston’s goals. The Panthers will most likely be starting Jose Theodore. However, the back-up goalie in this game will be Scott Clemmensen. Scott is returning to the line-up following knee surgery. His return to the game was highly anticipated by fans. Fans hope that they can show their support by purchasing Leafs tickets to the next game.
The Florida Panthers will be in top shape for the game. They are presently one of the healthiest teams in the NHL. However, they will still be without newly acquired Mikael Samuelsson, who is still recovering from surgery. The same cannot be said of the Leafs who will be going into the game without Tim Connolly, who is suffering from an upper body injury, which occurred in the game against Boston. Those that have already purchased Leaf tickets feel that it will be will not be an easy win for the Leafs.
The Leafs will also be without goalie James Reimer, who is on the injured reserve list with, what is being called, concussion like symptoms. Also missing from the line-up will be Captain Colby Armstrong. Colby is out with a high ankle sprain and has been placed on the injured reserve list.
Leaf fans have been given a lot to cheer about this season. In terms of overall points, right winger, Phil Kessel is currently leading the league with twenty-one points. Joffery Lupul is not far behind with sixteen points.
Come Tuesday, Leaf fans will all be poised on the edge of their seats to see how their team is going to respond. They are all wondering if this young squad will be able to bounce back, or if they will lose their confidence and fade-out the same way they did last year.
