Back at it in Toronto!

Hello again everyone. Great to be back with you after some time off of this site. It's time to get back after it as the Canes face a important week. As they get ready to take on the Leafs tonight here are some quick answers for some questions you may have.

Tender of choice?

You would think that Peter Laviolette's choice for his starter in this one would be simply Cam Ward. Well, that doesn't appear to be the case. There is a strong possibility that Michael Leighton will get the nod tonight.

This one is very interesting. Yes, Ward has allowed nine goals in his last two games but really for me it's hard to find a distinct hole in his game that call for this. Ward was exceptional in the early stages against Colorado and put the Canes in a position to win the game. In the late stages he was guilty of maybe not controlling his rebounds, but the defensive coverage in front of him was porous at best.

With that being said, the Canes coach is likely to turn to Leighton tonight. The AHL phenom has played well and tonight could be the "man" in a very important game.
The Canes continue to go with a "must win" philosophy and that is truly evident if this choice is made.

Leighton has been capable and the team played its best defensive game of the season in front of him in St. Louis a week ago. They're hoping for the same tonight.

Ready for the Leafs' best...

There is no question that the Toronto maple Leafs will have their best effort"of the season tonight. It's a full-blown circus here in the center of the hockey universe. The local press is calling for everyone's head, from the GM to the coach and up to the ownership.

Page after page coverage in the papers has welcomed this team back from a 0-3 California road trip. The Leafs are 2-11-0 in their last 13 and the locals want Mats Sundin dealt yesterday to start rebuilding for the future. The problem is , Who will make the deal? It's uncertain who is running the team.

Toronto played well in its last game versus San Jose on Saturday. The Sharks are one of the best teams in the NHL. It's a game the Leafs could have won after being embarrassed in Anaheim and Los Angeles earlier in the week. So tonight they will come hard.

The Canes, who had the inner working of their locker-room question by the GM yesterday, have to be braced for it. The difference is the Canes were questioned on page six of the Sports section in Raleigh and here those same quotes would have been on page one of News section. She'll be a tough one tonight, be ready.

Who's in?

Matt Cullen, Bret Hedican and Scott Walker are all here in Toronto but will not play tonight. Cullen and Walker are possibilities for the Ottawa game on Thursday. Glen Wesley and Ray Whitney, both who have been riddled with the flu, will play for the first time in a week. Wesley is fighting a weight loss of over eight pounds. Wade Brookbank (flu) and Trevor Letowski (flu) are both available. Nic Wallin (flu) came to work yesterday and was sent home. He did not travel with the team. He's available at the earliest Friday vs. Edmonton. David Tanabe still out with a concussion and not getting much better.

Possible lines
Samsonov-Brind'Amour-Cole
Whitney-Staal-Stillman
Adams-Letowski-Larose
Brookbank-Hamilton-Ladd

Defense Pairings
Gleason-Commodore
Kaberle-Seidenberg
Wesley-Borer

Have good day! I need the rest of the day to read the Toronto papers!

See ya!