Results tagged “montrealcanadiens”

It's been the best of times, it's been the worst of times for the Toronto Maple Leafs; in fact, the past couple weeks have been nothing short of surreal. First, the best of times: wins against the high-flying Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens, followed by a thoroughly unexpected Hockey Day in Canada victory over the league-leading Detroit Red Wings, have given the team a boost. Injured players are getting healthy. The return of the much-maligned Bryan McCabe has apparently galvanized the team's defensive corps, not to mention relegated Andy "The Cause" Wozniewski to the Toronto Marlies. Mats Sundin, meanwhile, who turns thirty-seven years old today, has fifty-eight points in fifty-seven games—not bad for a guy with a "career-threatening" injury (we'll never tire of using it against you, Steve Simmons!).

The rumour mill is swirling around the Maple Leafs this week, as a less-than-stellar season and mixed signals from club ownership lead to daily reports about the fate of the team's management and captain. With all signs pointing to a third straight early vacation at season's end, the team's followers are steamed.

Police had to quell trouble at the One Bloor condo site yesterday, as queue-jumpers moved in on agents and spotholders who had been standing in line for as long as a week. Although the interlopers were ultimately forced to the back of the line, many of those waiting were still too late to buy a unit in the development. One dissatisfied linestander said, "When do I get my iPhone?"

It was one of the wildest final weekends in NHL history. The Toronto Maple Leafs delivered a knockout blow to the Montreal Canadiens in one of the most electric matches in recent memory, only to have the New York Islanders break our hearts and take the final playoff spot in a shootout against the New Jersey Devils the following day.

On Tuesday, the second-place New Jersey Devils came to play their road game at the Air Canada Centre, clogging up the neutral zone and waiting for the Maple Leafs to make a mistake. Which might have worked, had they been able to take the lead. But the Leafs played patient, capitalized on the power play, and held on for a 2-1 win. It was only after the oft-maligned Nik Antropov scored the Leafs’ second goal that the Devils came to life. But all that matters is the Leafs got their 2 points in the standings and are now level with Carolina and the Montreal Canadiens for the final playoff spot with just nine games left in the regular season.

With the way Montreal Canadiens netminder Christobel Huet has been playing in 2006, it could be all but over for the Maple Leafs as the two teams face off at the ACC tonight. The second worst team since January 1st could have their dreams of a first round playoff exit ripped from their hearts if they come up short yet again this evening. The Leafs currently sit last place in the Northeast Division and are just a single point ahead of the New York Islanders for 11th spot in the Eastern Conference. With the NHL trade deadline only two-days away, tonight's game could decide where a few current Leafs will be calling their home this weekend.

The same team of minds that confused you with a Scottish talking stick of gum have taken it an EXTRA step with their latest marketing initiative.

In the last week three big names in the Liberal leadership race, former deputy PM John Manley, ambassador Frank McKenna and former Newfoundland premier and Captain Canuck Brian Tobin have dropped out. Frank McKenna put it best "I reminded myself this week of my vow upon leaving office - that having escaped the trap, I wouldn't go back for the cheese." He also pointed out that being Liberal Leader means pretty good odds that you'll eventually be PM and that, in fact, there's only been one Liberal leader who didn't eventually become PM.

Also there had to be some reaction to Kobe Bryant's 81 points.

For the first time in his young NHL career, The Crosby Show airs in Toronto, as hockey phenom Sidney Crosby takes to Canadian ice for the first time in his professional career against the Leafs tonight. The Cros faces off against impressive Leaf rookies Alexander Steen and Kyle Wellwood before playing the Montreal Canadiens later this week. (That information was only provided to make the title of this post work.)

Also, where are your clothes?