The depth scoring - and the bounces - showed up for the Leafs last night, as they took on the Calgary Flames, who are in a tank-off with the Islanders for the fourth pick in the draft. Jay McClement tipped in a rocket of a Franson pass, Bolland had the world's greatest bounce, and David Clarkson - yes, that David Clarkson - scored a game winning goal. Matt Stajan scored a breakaway goal and Kris Russell made us all sweat with a few left in the third.
Jay McClement had a couple of great offensive shifts last night: he tipped home a goal on the rush with Franson, laid a nice pass to break out Bodie, and spent some time effectively recovering the puck in the offensive zone. Speaking of Franson, it was the best of Franson, it was the worst of Franson - he laid a great pass on McClement's stick, but he and Gardiner were split and out of the play on Matt Stajan's breakaway.
The top line had some chances, but were overall outchanced by the Flames' Cammalleri and Stajan lines. It was good to see the depth players convert where they had to, especially in a close game. And make no mistake, this was a close game - a Calgary goal called off by a high stick, Bolland's bouncy goal. It was closer than you'd like to see against a fourth-worst team, but then again, I'm more than happy simply not to get blown out 8-1 or something crazy, and ending this losing streak is great no matter how close the game is or who it's against. Thursday night, the Leafs take on the Bruins.
