Leafs Postgame: Good Ass Game

The Leafs organization is probably okay with the season-wide concept of pain, suffering, and lots of losses, but on a game-by-game basis, they want the wins. Or, at the very least, the attempts at them. Mike Babcock might want them more than anybody in a suit or on skates, and with the game being played on his former home ice, you have to imagine the stakes were higher than every for him tonight. Thanks to a lucky goal and a stellar performance by Jonathan Bernier, he got his wish in what became a 1-0 Leafs victory.

Both teams were relentless in their efforts to get on the board first, with the Red Wings appearing to strike first early in the second period, but a review showed that the puck bounced off an arm on the way into the net. This gave the Leafs an unexpected lease on life, which nobody expected them to take advantage of.

Lo and behold, they actually took advantage of it. In the dying seconds of the second period, Michael Grabner dashed into the offensive zone with the puck and was hauled down while breaking away. Many hoped for a penalty shot but were even more pleased to find out that somehow, a falling Grabner and pushed the puck into the net with his backside without interfering with Petr Mrazek or his iron chamber. The play was ruled a goal, and it was the only one the Leafs needed as they let a scorching-hot Jonathan Bernier weather the remaining storm.

You know the drill with Michael Grabner. All the speed in the world, but no hands to match it. I guess if you take the hands out of the equation, though, you end up with a masterpiece. It’s going to be bittersweet when ol’ Rocket Powered Stoney Hands leaves for unrestricted free agency in a few months, but we’ll always have ButtGoal to remember him by.

This may have been Jonathan Bernier’s best performance of the season. His eyes were never off the puck, and his limbs were always equal to his brainwaves. The reflexes were dialed in and the puck was constantly kept out. You can’t ask for much more than that, especially when it amounts to a 38 save shutout.

Ladies and gentlemen, Tuesday’s game might just be the biggest one of the year. The standings basically don’t matter for the Leafs at this point, but Tuesday is your last chance to scream and cheer for Steven Stamkos before he becomes a free agent in July. If you want him, be there, be loud, and be proud.

Or, you know, don’t. It’s your life. Puck drop is at 7:30 PM.