Re: Hockey Night in Toronto | The Toronto Maple Leafs
Polak To Return Against Hurricanes
Holzer to Remain With Team
Maple Leafs defenseman Roman Polak is set to return from his four game suspension for a illegal check from behind that occurred against the Philadelphia Flyers.
"I made a bad choice and I'm ready to move on and put that in the past," said Polak to a scrum of reporters following the team's morning skate at the Air Canada Centre prior to their game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The rugged defenseman is expected to play when the Hurricanes roll into town later this even, with rookie defenseman Korbinian Holzer figured to be the odd man out.
Randy Carlyle confirmed this in the morning saying, "Roman's presence in the lineup will help our physical game." General Manager Dave Nonis was then asked about Holzer's status. "Well, he'll stick with the team for the immediate future, obviously we don't want to risk putting a player like him through the waiver wire so he'll stay," said Nonis in his press conference.
The Leafs take on the Hurricanes with puck drop at 7:00 PM ET. The Hurricanes has had a decent 4-2-1 start to the season.
Re: Hockey Night in Toronto | The Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs Rally Past Hurricanes in OT
Kessel Completes the Comeback in OT
Down two goals heading into the second period thanks to goals from Alexander Semin and Erik Lindholm, the Toronto Maple Leafs knew what they had to do to come out with a win.
Jonathan Bernier shut the door on the Hurricane's offence after a shaky first period, surrendering two goals on 20 shots, and the Maple Leafs slowly chipped away at the deficit, starting with Richard Panik goal with less than five minutes remaining in the second period.
"[Cam] Ward was playing well for them tonight, so I think the [game plan] was to get shots on net and force him to make saves", said Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle.
Joffrey Lupul tied the game up for the Maple Leafs, beating Ward short side with the Maple Leafs net empty and less than two minutes left in the game.
"I've been in a little slump lately, [so] it felt real good when the puck hit the back of the net," said Lupul after the game.
With all the momentum on their side entering the overtime period, it didn't take long to pick up the win for the Leafs.
Just after the opening face-off to start the overtime period, Stephane Robidas and Dion Phaneuf teamed up to spring sniper Phil Kessel on a breakaway, and Kessel made no mistake.
A nifty backhand-forehand gave Kessel the wide open goal, and he slid the puck in to claim the victory for the Leafs.
Re: Hockey Night in Toronto | The Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs Storm Back in Third To Down Hawks
Leafs Score Four in Last Five Minutes
Trailing 4-0 entering the third period after a disastrous first period, the projection for the Toronto Maple Leafs looked bleak, and they new it.
Marcus Kruger and Patrick Kane both scored even strength goals for the Blackhawks, who were aided by power play goals from Andrew Shaw and Patrick Sharp to give them a 4-0 lead in the first period.
Leafs third line forward David Booth was given a game misconduct and a major penalty for checking from behind on Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa, who left the game just past the three minute mark of the first period and did not return.
James Van Riemsdyk got the Leafs on the board early in the third period on a nice passing play set up by fellow line mates Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak that lead to a onetimer in the slot.
Richard Panik brought the Leafs to within two goals when he snapped a quick shot short side past Corey Crawford. Goals from Tyler Bozak and Dion Phaneuf less than four minutes later tied the game up, before Mike Santarelli scored the winning goal on a deflection in the high slot for his seventh goal of the season.
William Nylander, the Leafs' top prospect and rookie, scored his first career NHL goal on an empty net with less than a minute remaining in the period, and also picked up an assist on Richard Panik's goal earlier in the third period.
David Booth will have a hearing over the phone with the NHL's Department of Player Safety to assess his hit on Marian Hossa.
Re: Hockey Night in Toronto | The Toronto Maple Leafs
Booth Suspended For Hitting from Behind
Leafs' to Be Without Booth Against Anaheim
Toronto Maple Leafs forward David Booth has been suspended one game for his illegal hit from behind on Chicago Blackhawks forward Marian Hossa.
Hossa was injured on the play and has been diagnosed with a mild concussion, and has not yet returned to action. This is the first infraction of Booth's career, which is reason why the suspension is a short one.
In corresponding roster moves, the Leafs have placed D Korbinian Holzer on waivers to send him to the AHL Marlies, and have recalled forward Leo Komarov from the Marlies to take Booth's spot in the lineup in their's upcoming contest against the Ducks.
Re: Hockey Night in Toronto | The Toronto Maple Leafs
Quote:
Originally Posted by vinaa23
Wow what a comeback! Are you planning to do any trades?
Thanks man! I may do some trades when we move closer to the trade deadline or if I see a need at a certain position, but for now I think that I'm happy with the squad we have right now.