Kessel, Leafs firing blanks

I think Phil Kessel is the first to admit he isn’t playing up to par. He certainly isn’t where the Leafs need him to be right now – on his game and leading the uphill charge to a playoff spot. By most accounts, it’s starting to look like Hamburger Hill.

Gustavsson is looking good. He kept the Leafs in the game for most of the night. The two that he let in… well, goals like that go in. But when your goaltender is stingy and only let’s in 2 on the night, your team needs to find a way to put 3 in the back of the net. The Leafs looked good against the Islanders for 2/3 of the game. The other 1/3 did them in.

Once again, the basement floor is looming large.

They’re .500 hockey over the last 10 games. They’ve lost 4 in a row on the road, and 5 of their next 7 games are away. Two games are western conference tilts in Alberta. Hopefully they’ll come home, eat some turkey, and find their forecheck wrapped up and under the tree.

A safe and happy Christmas to all.

GO LEAFS GO!!!