New York Islanders center Josh Bailey (13) hits the ice as he steals the puck from Toronto Maple Leafs center Phil Kessel in the first period of their NHL hockey game in Uniondale, New York, December 23, 2009. REUTERS/Ray StubblebineRAY STUBBLEBINE/Reuters
Notes One of the biggest concerns for the Toronto Maple Leafs during the team's 2-5-2 slide has been the lack of offensive output from sniper Phil Kessel, who has only one point in his last eight games. Part of the issue for Kessel has been his inability to produce on the power play, which has struggled since he joined the lineup after off-season shoulder surgery. "With Phil in the lineup, I think sometimes we look to get him the puck too much," head coach Ron Wilson said. "Phil's got to change some of the habits that he has. He's pretty easy to shut down when he only plays in one area of the ice." … Wilson said netminder Jonas Gustavsson will get his sixth start in eight games against the Florida Panthers tonight, but that both his goalies will play this week. … Defenceman Mike Komisarek missed practice with an undisclosed ailment but is expected to play. … Toronto has scored only 18 goals over the past nine games, but isn't likely to get more production from centres John Mitchell and Rickard Wallin, who will replace the injured duo of Mikhail Grabovski (wrist) and Wayne Primeau (knee) in the lineup. Mitchell and Wallin have combined for two goals in 52 games this season. … The world junior tournament was a big topic of conversation among the Leafs at practice yesterday, with Wilson giving his Swedish players a hard time after the American team defeated Sweden in last Sunday's semi-final. "I was trying to collect some money from Swedes today," Wilson joked. "I told them they owed me a hundred, and that if the Swedes had won, I would have paid them a hundred. They didn't believe me, though." The Leafs wouldn't admit to any wagering on tonight's gold-medal game between Canada and the U.S., although defenceman Luke Schenn, whose younger brother, Brayden, is playing for Canada, said the team's nine Canadian and five American players were paying close attention to the games.
Next Today, Florida Panthers at ACC, 7 p.m. (EST), TV Sportsnet (Ont.)
James Mirtle