COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jason Blake looked like a man who had the weight of Leafs Nation lifted off his shoulders.
Two goals will do that to a guy who hadn’t scored in his previous 12 games and doubled his season total from two to four in just one game.
“It’s been tough,” the Leafs’ leading scorer from last season admitted after what he hopes will be a breakout night.
“I think the biggest thing is just to keep it simple and stay positive.”
Leafs coach Ron Wilson, who has applauded Blake’s work ethic throughout his slump, is hoping for even more.
“I was glad he scored,” Wilson said.
“A guy like that just needs a tickle or a taste and he gets really greedy. So it was nice to see him take the puck hard to the net.”
For Blake, it couldn’t have rained on a drier spot.
