The Leafs slow start......Killed them

The Leafs lost their first road game of the season 6-4 to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals.

Although the Leafs managed to keep the power play opportunities to a minimum for the Capitals, they still managed to allow another power play goal against.

Vesa Toskala was replaced in net by Jonas Gustavsson after the first period as Toskala allowed 3 goals on just the eight shots that he faced in the first period.

Gustavsson didn't fair much better allowing 3 goals on just 12 shots in the second.He did make some very good saves and kept the Caps off the board for the rest of the game.

In both of their defense however, the new and improved defence corps, that had everyone talking for the better part of the off season, looks more like a defensive corpse!

Alexei Ponikarovski scored for the Leafs to give 3 points on the season, Stepniak, Grabavski and Hagman rounded out the scoring for Toronto.

The Leafs almost to a man, spent more time looking down at the ice searching for the puck, than worrying about the red sweater who had it. Ron Wilson is an NHL hockey coach, I on the other hand am not. But I can tell you this, when your defense is consistently being beaten back to your end, it's time to tell your defense men to stay the hell home! It is way easier to keep the opposing forwards out of your zone than it is to keep them in theirs!



`You felt like you were in a piranha fish tank,'' Toronto coach Ron Wilson said. ``We were getting quality scoring chances, without a doubt, but you can't trade chance for chance with a team like that.''

The Washington net minder Varlamov, was for the most part sensational, making 27 stops over all. It certainly wasn't for lack of good chances that the Leafs failed to get their first win of the season.

Wilson said he will decide Monday which goalie will start Tuesday's game against Ottawa. ... Washington has won eight consecutive home openers.

Our first attempt at live blogging went off pretty much without a hitch tonight so, we will do it again next Saturday when the Leafs entertain the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Until next time, you kids play safe!