Surprise…Leafs stick to hockey and shut out Flyers

Last night’s game was full of surprises.

There were no fights in the game compared to the four bouts in last week’s game played between the two clubs, in Philadelphia.

The Leafs actually scored the first goal of the game, a beauty by Tyler Bozak, which was his first NHL goal, to boot.

Vesa Toskala looked sharp, in stark contrast to him awful record to date, as he turned aside all 38 shots he faced on the night and recorded his first shutout of the year.

Phil Kessel turned playmaker and earned two assists, with a very unselfish play on a two on one, giving linemate Nikolai Kulemin a virtual empty net to score an easy goal, for a highlight reel goal. That play says a lot about Kessel, who could easily have been expected to shot with a fairly clear shot on goal as this play unfolded, particularly given the fact that he is mired in a lengthy goalless drought.

The Leafs fourth line, featuring call up Jay Rosehill, along with Colton Orr and Jamal Mayers set the tone early, with Rosehill batting a puck into the Flyer net less than a minute into the game, only to have the goal disallowed. Despite that marker being negated, the unit played with great confidence and had the Flyers on their heels all night long.

The Leaf defense joined the offensive flow and created a couple of mid-ice turnovers that resulted in counter attack goals, a rarity in Leafland this season.

Holy Hannah, the league’s worst penalty kill unit was perfect in killing off all three Philadelphia power play.

For one night, almost everything went well for the Leafs.

Enough said.

Tags: Colton Orr, Jamal Mayers, Jay Rosehill, Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs, Tyler Bozak, Vesa Toskala