Friday the 13th

Nope, Torontoist isn't referring to the classic movie series. With Halloween just around the corner, it's a different goalie mask creating this sequence of horrors. Although it may be Friday the 27th, the number 13 represents the total amount of goals Toronto Maple Leaf netminders - mainly Andrew Raycroft - have allowed to Ottawa Senator shooters this week. Even by factoring in his day off in between, Raycroft's goals against average over those 3 days would still put him near the bottom of the NHL. Now Torontoist has been quick to jump to conclusions in the past. Granted the Leafs were off to a rather decent start this season, and it was Raycroft who was indeed leading the way. However, Tuesday's 6-2 and Thursday's 7-2 losses to their provincial rivals are an all too familiar occurance over the past couple of seasons, and surely have to serve as a reality check for Paul Maurice's club.

General Manager John Ferguson Jr. said it himself during TSN's opening night broadcast. With his team finishing merely two points out of the Eastern Conference's final playoff spot last year, it was the lopsided season series with the Senators which was seen as the crippler. Well the series is already 3-1 for Ottawa and appears very much to be headed for a similar outcome. Combine that with the fact the the Buffalo Sabres have yet to lose, and it looks like the Leafs are going to be punished by those closest to home.