squashing the Pens

The Leafs 7-3 thrashing of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins was one of the single most impressive games of the season thus far. The Leafs had seven different goal scorers and absolutely dominated Pittsburgh from the outset. The Buds had 40 shots on net, while allowing only 23 by the Penguins. Toskala called it "one of the easiest games I've had with the Leafs", as he made 20 saves en route to the victory. For me, what made it extra sweet was that it happened in Pittsburgh. Highly satisfying!

After what was easily one of their worst efforts of the season in their previous game against Boston, the Leafs played well together and looked like a well-oiled machine out on the ice. Malkin looked pretty foolish on the defensive end for most of the night, getting stripped of the puck in front of his own net, which led to an easy goal for Niklas Hagman and then again giving the puck away to Ponikarovsky who converted said giveaway into a goal with a wicked wrist shot off the inside fo the post. At one point, Vesa Toskala made an unbelievably acrobatic pad save on what looked like a sure goal for Miroslav Satan. A great effort all around by Toronto, who will look to keep things rolling as they play the Atlanta Thrashers tonight in Atlanta.