Whiny Media/Fans Get Their Way, Gustavsson to Start

Impatient Toronto Maple Leafs fans will get their way tonight as Jonas Gustavsson will start against division rival Ottawa Senators.

Now, Vesa Toskala is not a stud goaltender. No one is going to mistake him for Martin Brodeur or Roberto Luongo. Well, maybe the Luongo of this season. But the defense playing in front of him has been less than spectacular. In fact, Mike Komisarek hasn't been playing in front of Toskala at all, as he spends all his time in the box hiding from Milan Lucic.

Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson was understandly angry about the outcry for a new goalie just two games into the season:

"I feel bad for Vesa that he's being put in this position when he hasn't done anything wrong," Wilson told the assembled media corps after today's pregame skate. "He's a good goalie and he's going to work hard in practice. He might start the next game, he might not. I can't tell you.

"I trust that he'll get the job done," added Wilson. "If he was a racehorse, you would say he's not in form right there. So you work hard in practice and I'm confident he'll be able to play on the weekend and give us just as good of chance to win as Jonas we're hoping gives us tonight."

Poor Gustavsson better hope he lets in less than three goals tonight or the Toronto media will eat him alive.

More coming later in our Ottawa-Toronto preview.

Senators Shannon To Miss Next Game

Ottawa Senators forward Ryan Shannon is expected to miss tomorrow's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with various "bumps and bruises."

Shannon most likely opted out of the game because he did not want to play against Toronto's swiss cheese stifling defense.

Toronto fans, despite the season only being two games old, are calling for Jonas Gustavsson to become the starter in net. On one hand, they should give Vesa Toskala a bit more time. On the other hand, it is Vesa Toskala. I'm sure we'll hear more about this is the coming days.

"The Monster" Shines in Maple Leafs Victory

Swedish sensation Jonas Gustavsson stopped all 15 shots his faced in his first pre-season game at Toronto's Air Canada Centre as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Detroit Red Wings 2-1 last night.

Gustavsson had a minor heart procedure that prevented him from seeing much pre-season action, but the "Monster" has not allowed a goal in more than 60 minutes of play so far this pre-season.

Brad Stuart opened the scoring for the Red Wings with less than a minute left in the first when he beat Vesa Toskala from the point, on assists from Ville Leino and Niklas Kronwall, who kept his skates on the ice long enough to make a pass.

Toronto tied the game in the second on a powerplay goal from Carl Gunnarsson. With Alex Ponikarvosky screening in front, Gunnarson ripped it from the point and beat Osgood.

Stahlberg would but the Maple Leafs up for good in the third when he redirected a pass behind Jimmy Howard. The goal was Stahlberg's fifth of the pre-season.

However, the highlight of the game was Jonas Gustavsson's incredible save late in the third:




Gustavsson just might make things miserable for scorers in the Northeast division. The Maple Leafs play the Buffalo Sabres in another pre-season game tonight.