Mikhail Grabovski News

Georges Laraque and Colton Orr got things started early for Montreal and Toronto last night in a lively season opener.

Phil Kessel is on the board, and the Maple Leafs appear to be on their way. Kessel picked up his first goal as a Maple Leaf in a 5-1 rout over the Detroit Red Wings, as Toronto won its second game in a row.

What a difference a hot goalie and a world-class forward can make. The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their climb to respectability Saturday night with a 5-1 smoking of the Detroit Red Wings at Air Canada Centre in the Hall of Fame Game.

MONTREALWhile the Maple Leafs continue to lead the NHL in moral victories as they search for a second real win, they can take solace in that help is on the way.

Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Jonas Gustavsson, left, stretches to make a save as Maple Leafs defenceman Ian White, right, checks Buffalo Sabres' Tim Kennedy during NHL action in Buffalo, N.Y., on Friday.

The Maple Leafs weren't planning to release the results of an examination on Phil Kessela s injured shoulder until Tuesdaya s morning skate, but everyone involved seemed to expect the 22-year-old to be in the lineup Tuesday against Tampa.

MONTREALa 'When former Maple Leafs return to the Air Canada Centre, they are fAated with video tributes and standing ovations.

Tim Connolly #19 of the Buffalo Sabres scores a second period goal against Jonas Gustavsson #50 of the Toronto Maple Leafs on October 30, 2009 at HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York.

Toronto got off to one of its worst starts in the team's history. Zero wins, seven losses and one extra time loss, which accounted for their one point.

Leafs break into win column Toronto Maple Leafs left wing Niklas Hagman celebrates his first-period power-play goal against the Anaheim Ducks with teammates Matt Stajan, left, and Tomas Kaberle, right, during their NHL hockey game in Anaheim, California, October 26, 2009.

The idea of playing on the smaller ice surface in Richmond Hill, and having a tournament 3-on-3 shinny format on two surfaces, was sprung on players as they arrived at the MasterCard Centre in Etobicoke.

The Maple Leafs fly to Vancouver this afternoon, hoping to be changed for the better by the time they return to Toronto after Halloween.

Schenn fighting sophomore slump Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman Luke Schenn stretches during the warm-up prior to playing the Montreal Canadiens Claus Andersen Despite decreased ice time, Toronto's youngest blueliner says doesn't 'believe the sophomore slump has been a question for me' James Mirtle TORONTO - From Wednesday's Globe and Mail Published ...

Minor-league callup James Reimer remains with the team as the backup. 10:41 a.m.: As the Maple Leafs go through their line rushes at their morning skate, it appears that Matt Stajan and Niklas Hagman will be back in the lineup for tonight's game against the New York Rangers.

Like every coach in the NHL not named Bruce Boudreau, Ron Wilson can only dream of having an Alex Ovechkin in his lineup every night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' season is off to a rocky start, but two of the club's budding stars got to see first-hand yesterday that their team's struggles on the ice pale in comparison to the off-ice battles of young patients at Sick Kids.

's struggles 10 days into the 2009-10 NHL regular season likely would not be a big deal if the Toronto Maple Leafs weren't 0-2-1 and hadn't had three days of practice since their last game.

Time for the Maple Leafs to step up to what Ron Wilson calls home plate and "play tall." Glitches in goaltending and defence are just part of the reason the team is last in the NHL, searching for its first win tonight in Manhattan.

Sidney Crosby scored a pair of second-period goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins break away from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 5-2 road victory on Saturday.

Alex Ovechkin delights the fans at Verizon Center with a goal in the opening period on Saturday.