TMLRI: October 12th - 7-2 Loss @ New York Rangers

Another tough loss for the Leafs. Tough in that they seemed, once again, incapable of generating any sort of sustained momentum. Tough in that Vesa Toskala, once again, showed that he is a not a capable starter, as he allowed bad goals to derail any positive energy the team worked to achieve and quite simply cannot stop enough pucks to be successful.

Goaltender
Toskala (2) - Although he did not get pulled, he probably would have if there had been any point in doing it at that stage of the game. He let in a couple of bad goals in the game and failed to make stops when the team needed them. Seven goals against speaks for itself. He may have lost his job as an NHL starter.

Defensemen
White (6) Solid defensively and assisted on both Leafs goals. One of very few bright spots.
Komisarek (5) He was decent, but still seems erratic. Reacting to the play constantly, rather than asserting control.
Kaberle (4) Did not provide his normal offensive influence on the game. Made some plays that were downright awful.
Beauchemin (4) Like Komisarek, reacting strangely to the play. No comfort level in his game.
Schenn (4) Not a particularly strong game, always seemed one step behind the quick Rangers forwards.
Finger (4) Made a couple of big hits, but still does not make the simple plays you need from your bottom pairing defender.

Forwards
Wallin (6) One of few bright spots on the team. Consistent, responsible and intelligent plays most of the night.
Stempniak (5) One of the only players to generate scoring chances, but unable to score. Made some questionable plays on the defensive side of things.
Mitchell (5) Effective enough to be one of the only plus players on the night, but did not make much of a difference.
Ponikarovsky (5) Scored a goal by going to the net, but was not much of a factor otherwise.
Stajan (5) Did not contribute much.
Rosehill (5) Good hustle on the forecheck while given added minutes in the third period.
Mayers (5) So-so game, but needs to find a role on the team where he can make a difference. He just seems to lack a purpose.
Hagman (4) Did not accomplish much of anything. He is just going through the motions like most of the forwards.
Orr (4) Outclassed by Brashear in a tough fight. Was fairly irrelevent otherwise.
Kulemin (4) Ineffective throughout the night. Has not been the dangerous player he showed flashes of last season.
Grabovski (4) Reeling. Just does not seem to be able to get anything going on offense. The constant giveaways are getting hard to forgive.
Blake (3) Although he did manage to score on the powerplay, he was quite ineffective and benched during most of the second period. The effort level was not there from a player who the team looks to for veteran leadership.

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