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PAYING TOLLS
Saturday's 2-1 shootout win over the Capitals took a physical toll on the Leafs with injuries to defenceman Jeff Finger and winger Jason Blake, but will it take a mental toll?
Coach Ron Wilson has seen the Leafs do well in some big Hockey Night In Canada games against high calibre foes, and fail to carry it into weekday meetings at home, such as tonight against the Islanders. The Leafs have no weekday home wins this year.
"I can't try doing too many (game routines) differently," Wilson said, hoping the players snap out of it themselves.
Finger has a lower body bruise that leaves him questionable for tonight's game, while Blake was given yesterday off to recover from "bumps and bruises" according to the coach. Garnet Exelby likely would take Finger's place.
VESA GETS VISA
After 31 saves on Saturday, Vesa Toskala will be back in goal tonight Wilson said.
"We were out-shot 39-32, so he didn't really steal the game, but Vesa didn't make mistakes and that's what we need," Wilson said.
LOOSE LEAFS
Marlies goalie James Reimer has earned the farm team points in his past five starts ... It was 65 years ago today that a Leafs team decimated by call ups to the Canadian Forces dressed just 11 men and lost 5-1 to Boston ... The Marlies have been out-scored 30-9 in the second period this year.
