Bruins Increase League lead and Leafs Get Trounced In Buffalo

Two teams heading in polar opposite directions. The Bruins won for the 38th time this season to go against a stingy 8 total losses, While the hapless Toronto Maple Leafs lost for the 24th time this season losing 5-0 to the Sabres in Buffalo.

Boston now leads division rival Toronto by an eye-popping 35 points and the teams both have about 30 more games to play. The Bruins are without a doubt THE surprise team of the 2008-09 NHL season as they streak towards the playoffs, 12 points up on the Washington Capitals who are 2nd in the Eastern conference. San Jose Sharks and the Detroit Red Wings look like the major competition from the Western conference, with the Sharks trailing the Bruins by 5 points (but with 4 games in hand). The Red Wings are slightly farther back, trailing the Bruins by 9 points and chasing the Sharks by only 4 points.

Right now, can you see a Bruins versus Sharks (or Red Wings) Stanley Cup final? I can and more people are beginning to give kudos to the hardworking, balanced group that makes up the Bruins roster.

And the Leafs? My 4-year-old nephew puts it best when you ask him about the Toronto Maple Leafs. "The Leafs play golf." They won't make the playoffs. They won't get John Tavares, the next "phenom." They will continue to do what they always do. Win a few games they shouldn't win, raise their fans hopes a bit, then disappoint. It's a shame really. For most hockey fans, the Leafs have become an afterthought. When they think about good hockey, fans look elsewhere. Older hockey fans in Ontario still have the hope, that one day... but when?

It used to be "when that Harold Ballard dies, the Leafs will get better." Happy Hal is long gone from the team. The glory days of the early 90s when Dougie Gilmour led them all the way to the promised land (of a couple of playoff series won) has faded away. Good to see him honoured with the retirement of his number into the musty, dusty heights of the ACC, because the only banners being raised in the last 20 years has been the jersey numbers of good players on lousy teams. But you have to throw the loyal fans a bone once in a while.
Well, end of my rant about the Leafs (for now).