Things seen in this picture from November 2010 (I was at this game!) not seen tonight: The old 3rds, Clarke MacArthur, Nikolai Kulemin’s offensive touch

Well, it’s not exactly the result we all hoped for, but you know what? All things considered, I’ll take tonight’s loss and run. After all, its not that often that the penalties seem completely in the oppositions court, the other team grabs a two goal lead as a result, and you turn it into a point. Lets break this down a little bit.

The first period started off with John-Michael Liles headed to the box for a high stick just three minutes in. Now, I know the Devils powerplay hasn’t been exactly lights out, and that Ilya Kovalchuk hasn’t exactly played to statistical expectations lately, but it’s absolutely absurd to leave him open to have a chance at anything, ever. Especially when he’s the one with the point shot on the powerpl- too late. The hundred million dollar man showed us that absolutely lethal shot that has burned so many people before, and gave the Devils a 1-0 lead just five minutes in. Fast forward a few, and Tim Connolly would put the Leafs back on the penalty kill once again. Just like the last one, this wouldn’t end well, and David Clarkson would widen the gap. The period would end as it began, with a Liles penalty, this time for interference.

Moving onto the second, Petr Sykora would take the Devils first penalty of the game for a hook, but the Leafs could do no damage. By the midway point, we’d have our solution there. Phil Kessel tied up the scoring lead he just recently lost with what NHL.com describes as a snapshot. What it really was was him skating towards the net and angling his skate in just the right way to score and not get waived off. Not the prettiest goal of his career, in fact possibly the worst, but he’ll take it and so will the team and their fanbase. Kulemin would get a questionable holding call with six to go in the period, but nothing would come from it. The period ended with a questionable knee on knee collision between Mark Fayne and Joffrey Lupul, which left Loops in pain, though he returned to start the next period.

The third period was opened with Matt Frattin’s best goal to date. The rookie breezed passed fellow first year (albiet a much younger one) Adam Larsson, then showed Toronto the quick release that he was hyped up to have. It’s not quite Phil Kessel’s shot, but it’s definitely a nice one, and one that would tie the game for the Leafs, who would put on pretty solid pressure for the rest of the period. They would get a last minute powerplay courtesy of Patrick Elias, but did nothing with it either and the game would have to be solved in overtime.

The Leafs started overtime with some solid pressure, but in the end, it wouldn’t work out – David Clarkson would score the winner for the Devils midway through the extra period. The Leafs would end the game at 10-5-3,  good enough to remain 6th in the east and within reasonable distance of the other teams ahead.

Other Notes

James Reimer made 26 saves on 29 shots. Statistically, not the greatest performance, but he looked better than his game on Saturday night. A few awesome saves were made, so I’m not going to scream from the hills just yet, and neither should you.

Frattin’s goal was the icing on the cake for arguably the best game he’s had in the blue and white. A factor over the course of the game, he’s really beginning to hit his stride.

Speaking of stride hitting, Nikolai Kulemin’s just begging for one to happen soon. He’s playing just fine, but the goals aren’t coming. It’s almost getting worrying, until I realize that this is a cold streak, and if the Leafs can do well in spite of it, this will work out when when it’s contract extension time.

Carl Gunnarsson was the team’s only minus player tonight – not on for either of the Leafs goals, but on (and realistically, the cause with that failed shot attempt) for the Clarkson OT winner. Just thought I’d point that out.

Nobody played 25 minutes or more tonight. Jake Gardiner was the highest at 24:44, which is odd considering I didn’t think he had the most amazing of nights today. Not bad, but not like him.

Luke Schenn had an astonishing 10 hits tonight in 23 minutes. On top of getting an assist. An absurd night for him on the stat sheet, and a solid overall game played anyway.

Speaking of defencemen, Cody Franson had a solid game too. One assist, a +2, and a huge hit early in to shift the momentum.

Phil Kessel is still amazing, and still on a 50G, 53A, 103P pace. Just felt like pointing that out.

If you wanted me to touch on refereeing…you’re going to have to wait for the next article, which will come Wednesday evening most likely. The Leafs play their next game Friday night in DC against the Washington Capitals.