And the forwards were…where? Forget the buzzing which took place at the end (and there was a gaggle of it) – another case of too little, too late as Toronto cruised.
Ex-Leaf Bryan McCabe scored the Cats’ only two goals early in the first period, but it was only just beginning for the home team.
The Panthers leave Air Canada Centre with no points, and please spare us the “played well at the end” talking point. Yes, typically it’s the third frame which Florida fails to show for, but so what: they hav shown no ability to play consistently for 60 minutes.
Nathan Horton looked good, though. Just a thought.
And let go of the 6-2 bombing of Pittsburgh on Sunday: the Pens were redefining the term “suckiness” with their lack of anything resembling effort. Hell, Malkin himself took the blame for his club playing like drugged lab mice.
Losing to a Toronto club which is now two points behind the Panthers – for 14th in the East – is inexcusable.
The Leafs played a smart, responsible, disciplined game following the McCabe goals; Florida was never prepared to respond.
I’ll be labeled – once more – as purveyor of pain and doubt, but really…should the Cats really have lost this one?
NOTES: Both Tomas Vokoun and Jonas Gustavsson faced 31 shots. Kaberle, Stempniak, and Ponikarovsky scored for the Leafs, while McCabe netted both Florida goals. Kaberle and McCabe were the only multipoint players. Phil Kessel (0 points) led the game with 6 SOG (Michael Frolik paced the Cats with 5 and zero points).