Leafs Shut Out Habs 3-0 December 1st

The Toronto Maple Leafs got scoring from some unlikely sources and Jonas Gustavsson shared a shutout with Joey MacDonald beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-0 in their home rink. Gustavsson had to leave the game after the 1st period due to an elevated heart rate and taken to hospital. The Toronto goaltender had minor surgery 2 months ago to alleviate that same condition. Gustavsson remained in hospital overnight for observation, but is scheduled to return to Toronto today. Toronto coach Ron Wilson said that they obviously "wanted to be cautious" so he was sent to the hospital, but they don't expect any serious or long-term problems.

Right winger Colton Orr scored his 1st goal this year, beating Canadiens' Carey Price at 9:24 of the 1st period. Orr scored his first goal in about a full calendar year after a nifty pass to the front of the net by Tomas Kaberle as the defenseman flew into the corner to Price's left. Then Jeff Finger put the Leafs up 2-0 with a blast from the point after Phil Kessel rushed into the Habs zone, curled back to the boards, passing back to Finger who blew a shot past Price that beat the Montreal netminder cleanly. There were 2 players off to Price's left, but Finger's shot just eluded the goalie.

Matt Stajan scored his 8th on the breakaway. He took a bouncing pass from Kessel that Stajan took off his skates and corralled the puck. He beat Price glove side on a beautiful snap shot giving the Leafs their 3-0 lead. MacDonald was solid in the Leafs' net facing 18 shots over the final 2 periods.

With the win, Toronto moves to 5 points back of divisional rival Montreal with a game in hand on the Habs, as both teams sport identical 4-4-2 records over their last 10 games.

Both teams play on Thursday, with Montreal heading to Buffalo, to face the Sabres who are now in the top spot in the Northeast Division, while the Leafs fly down to Columbus to take on league-worst Hurricanes.