LGD – Leafs Hit the Road for Four Starting in Montreal

Here we go again. 

Playing in Montreal tonight the Leafs are looking to extend their streak with a win against the Habs, and I don’t mean to sound skeptical or anything, but if they win tonight I’ll look at buying a lottery ticket tomorrow; the odds just aren’t in their favour.

But in the true spirit of a masochist (fifty shades of blue?), I’ll still be cheering them on from the comfort of my bar stool.  Hey, at least they aren’t Buffalo.

The Leafs are looking to capitalize on Thursday’s win against the Flyers and make it three in a row; something they haven’t done since before Christmas. Their record against the Habs isn’t good, but with Bernier confirmed to start after a near-record 47 saves Thursday, the team will be looking to end the Canadiens’ penchant for taking them to the cleaners every time they meet. Thursday night’s scorers Phaneuf, Kessel, and Bozak are positioned well together as a power play unit and will be looking to take advantage of any penalty minutes Montreal is willing to give them. Let’s hope they can keep it together and start their road trip off right.

Speaking of Bernier’s 47 saves, (and I will be until April), Price didn’t have a bad Thursday either. Blocking 27 out of 29 shots against the Blue Jackets to help the team to a 5-2 win. Conference leaders, the Canadiens have bested the Leafs in their last four meet-ups, a sting we’ve had to live with since last season. However with Parentaeu still benched for a concussion and Tinordi sent down on Friday, maybe we can pull one out. Montreal will be looking to make our streak a memory, however, and bring their own to four.

What to Watch For

• Penalty killing. Thursday’s two goals against the Leafs came when Holland was in the box; one of those short-handed. Look for the Leafs’ special teams to be defensive when they’re down a player. 
• Clarkson – just kidding, he’s still gone. (And thank God). 
• Olli Jokinen’s last game with the Leafs? With Monday’s trade deadline looming, this is possibly the last time he hits the ice wearing the white and blue.