NHL Updates: Toronto Maple Leafs Come Back Against New York Rangers

Just when you think the New York Rangers are out, they pull themselves back in. A dominant performance against the Islanders and a come-from-behind win in New Jersey have pushed the New York Rangers to within three points of the eighth-place Boston Bruins. But don't sleep on the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have won 4 of 5 despite having the worst record in the Eastern Conference. Not that teams ever lose on purpose, but without a first-round pick in the 2010 Entry Draft, the Toronto Maple Leafs have no incentive to lay down over their final eight games.

Last Tuesday, New York Rangers came out flat in a 2-0 loss to the 7^th place Philadelphia Flyers. A day later, they repeated that effort in a 5-1 loss to the 9^th place New York Rangers. With one more game remaining, the Toronto Maple Leafs are destined to finish the season with the second-worst record in the NHL. And, unlike the last two years, they are without a first-round - or second-round - draft pick to look forward to.

Toronto Maple Leafs team that embodies the term "playing for pride". They have a better chance of seeing a unicorn than a postseason berth, but it hasn't stopped them from putting forth a strong effort since the Olympic break. In a road game against the Atlanta Thrashers, a team in the thick of the playoff race, the Toronto Maple Leafs fought their way to a 2-1 overtime win Thursday. So don't expect the Toronto Maple Leafs to do the New York Rangers any favors.

"We've been finding ways to win hockey games, We don't care if takes 60 minutes or 65, and that's a good sign. We know we can be better, but with saying that every game is not going to be a perfect one. We'll take the two points." said the Defenseman Dion Phaneuf, who was a Calgary Flame the last time Toronto faced New York.

Desperate for a win, the Rangers certainly came out to play on Wednesday. "A lot of people thought we were dead, But we just come out and play. That's all we can do." Rangers head coach John Tortorella told TSN.

The problem was that the Toronto Maple Leafs' once-thriving offence has dried up recently. Toronto has managed jut two goals in its last three games. And its power play, which went 0-for-4 on Wednesday, last scored on March 28. New York Rangers rookie defenseman Michael Del Zotto has 2 goals and 3 assists in his last three games. Toronto Maple Leafs sniper Phil Kessel has 7 goals in his last 7 games, and goaltender Jonas Gustavsson, who will start Saturday, has won six straight. 

 

The Toronto Maple Leafs were in a hurried state to make their charter flight to Pittsburgh for their late Sunday afternoon tilt against the Penguins, but there was time to first celebrate their come-from-behind 3-2 overtime win over the New York Rangers moments before at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame a two-goal deficit in the first period to continue to successfully play their spoiler role against teams like the New York Rangers, who still have a shot at cracking the top eight playoff positions in the NHL Eastern Conference.