Leafs Postgame: Nazem!

Another win, another two points in the standings. It’s no big deal anymore, as the Leafs have gone 6-2-2 in their last 10 games after a 2-1 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes tonight. Not to sound like one of those mathletes, but Toronto now sits only three points out of a wildcard spot. 

Have the Leafs mastered Babcock’s system? Has the organization found itself a true, number one goaltender? Is this a playoff team?

I mean, no… no… and no. None of that. But you’re still probably enjoying this little run if you’re not a card-carrying member of Tank Nation.

Nothing happened in the first two periods. Literally, nothing. Carolina shot a few pucks on net and Toronto shot fewer pucks on net. That’s pretty much all that happened. Things did pick up in the third period, though, and an otherwise boring game became quite entertaining. 

The Hurricanes struck first around the midway point of the third period, when Brad Malone (who?) took a Justin Faulk pass down low behind the Leafs’ goal line and threw the puck at Reimer hoping for the best. He got it, as Reimer cheated his way off the post just enough for a puck to slip through. Considering how few pucks were getting through to the net, and how good Cam Ward had looked when those few pucks did get through, this Carolina goal looked like a death blow.

But not so fast… Nazem Kadri is back, baby.

Did you see that? Did you freakin’ see that???

Nazem Kadri tore the monkey off his own back. That is awesome.

The game would remain tied through the final minutes of the third period and all the way through overtime, which was ruined by penalties and mostly four-on-four play. (Three-on-three is incredible, if you haven’t heard.)

In the shootout, both netminders would make some pretty impressive stops, but here’s really all you need to know – Reimer absolutely stoned Elias Lindholm, and Joffrey Lupul put the game-winner past Ward.

Nazem Kadri, obviously. I mean, James Reimer was very good outside of that single goal against, but when a guy shoots that many pucks and goes for that long without a goal, you have to celebrate it when he finally buries one. Plus, that celebration was money.

The Leafs are in for a quick turnaround as they visit the Boston Bruins tomorrow night at TD Gardens for Hockey Night in Canada. Tune into CBC at 7:00 pm. Duh.