The Leafs high wire act continued last night, as the team gave up the first goal for the seventh straight game, while achieving 40 or more shots for the fourth consecutive game.
"Even when we were down 3-0, I thought we carried the play," captain Mats Sundin said of what became a 55-shot night. "I liked the confidence we showed and the character."
But attention to detail at 7:30 p.m. continues to be a problem, with the Flyers jumping ahead in the first period.
Four of the Leafs' past seven outings have seen the opposition go up by at least two goals. In fairness, the Leafs have hit four first-period posts against the Devils and Flyers in recent games.
"We must have had double the Flyers' scoring chances tonight," Sundin said.
The 55 shots was one shy of the season high, which came against the Flyers here Jan. 5.
INJURED LEAFS IMPROVING
Centre John Pohl will be trying to work his way back into the Leafs' lineup next week, but there are no guarantees after a so-so start to the season and a high ankle sprain a few weeks ago.
"We had 15 forwards at the time and he didn't do anything to distinguish himself," coach Paul Maurice said. "But his game always seems to round out in December."
Meanwhile, winger Boyd Devereaux took delivery of a knee brace yesterday, but is still a week or two from skating after a serious injury last month.
"Hopefully, they squeeze in the playoffs and I can get back in early April," Devereaux said.
LOOSE LEAFS
Veteran Canadian Press writer Neil Stevens is hanging up his collection of hats and retiring from the hockey beat after 30 years of covering the Leafs and the NHL. The Air Canada press box won't be the same, though Stevens will continue working some Toronto Rock lacrosse games...D Tomas Kaberle and D Bryan McCabe are five points shy of 300 and 400 points, respectively.
