Only this time, they went to work for themselves. 8 game losing streak? Over. 26th ranked powerplay? Now it comes in at 16th. Kris Versteeg seeming like a waste of Viktor Stalberg? Not after his two powerplay goals. Nazem Kadri pointless as a Leaf? Nope, he got an assist last night. Really the only player who didn't improve up their game was J.S. Giguere who left midway through the 3rd with what appeared to be a groin injury, though he came back to the bench showing no signs of injury. Something to keep an eye on in the coming days.

Your big headlines of the day

David Johnson from Hockey Analysis

With this post I am calling on Leaf fans to just chill and give the process a chance.  I understand your dismay at how the Leafs have played the past 10 or so games, but show a little patience that you always claimed you had and if you are honest with yourselves you will realize that there is real progress here regardless of record.  This is not the same team as last year and in fact it is vastly different, and for the better.  Here are some things we need to remember.

Last night's game recap over at On The Forecheck

"We weren't working hard, we let our foot off the gas. There's no excuse for it, we just took stupid penalties." - Shea Weber

Truer words have never been spoken. The rest of your links after the jump.

So that's why we traded for Chris Versteeg

BCP sees last night's game as a good indication that Versteeg has busted his slump

Leafs off the schneid

I don't know what that means, but apparently it's good

Tim Brent - Love Doctor

The mystery man himself helps out the Captain with his lady troubles

Leafs HQ has Game 17 in 10

11 - I loved the analysts being confused on how MacArthur had 3 points but was a -3. Maybe they don't know how +/- is calculated?

Dos and Don'ts for NHL Rookie Call-ups

DGB with a handy dandy guide for the newest members of the league to follow

Is their any rational basis for optimism in Leafland?

VLM goes points, counter-point to figuring out if optimism can be had about the Leafs

Kris Versteeg and the Leafs Powerplay come alive against the Preds

26th to 16th. The Leafs PP rose 10 spots in the NHL rankings last night.

Elliotte Friedman's 30 Thoughts

I like the comparisons of the handling of Kadri and Kane

West >>> East to the tune of 40 - 19 20 - 9

Good news, the Leafs are 1-1-0 so far against the tougher conference.

Time to change the NHL gene pool

Jeff Blair views all the internal promotions and hiring of former players as bad for the league

Revisiting Some Old Links for Shits and Giggles
You set the straw men up, and the Leafs PP will set them ablaze

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