NHL

Monster gets nod against Staal-less Canes

LexisNexis Feed BreakingNewsfromglobeandmail.com
Share This Story

Updated Nov 6, 2009 3:30 PM ET
     
 

ABSTRACT Rookie goalie starts for Toronto in a battle of the NHL s two worst teams

FULL TEXT Jeff Finger is back in the lineup and Jonas Gustavsson will remain in goal tonight when the Toronto Maple Leafs face the Carolina Hurricanes in a battle of the NHL's two worst teams. Leafs head coach Ron Wilson gave the nod to Finger, dropping Garnet Exelby on defence. Finger has been a healthy scratch for the past six games and has only played four games this season. Wilson and Finger seemed in agreement about what he's expected to provide. "Just do what he did for us at time last year," said Wilson. "Move pucks quickly, clear the front of the net, keep it simple." Said Finger: "If I keep it simple I should be okay." Gustavsson, the Swedish rookie net minder will makes his fifth start in Toronto's last six games. The Leafs play the Detroit Red Wings at the Air Canada Centre Saturday night. Last week Wilson gave Vesa Toskala the start on the second game of the back-to-back set but made no commitment about that today. The Leafs are a veritable dynasty of late compared to the Hurricanes, who are winless in 10 games and have failed to earn even a point in their past four. Toronto has won just one game this season but have a point in their last five "We're actually right on the cusp of winning some games, we've had five or six great games in a row where we just haven't found a way to win," said Wilson. "If dot enough eyes and cross enough tees we'll be where we need to be." The Hurricanes will be without Eric Staal but both Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu skated in the morning and will be game-time decisions. Both teams have struggled considerably to score goals this season, ranking last and dead-last in the Eastern Conference so far, prompting Hurricanes coach Paul Maurice to suggest he wouldn't be surprised if some fire wagon Hockey broke out and the teams racked up a 9-8 game. Said Wilson: "We've been playing much better defensively so I don't see the game going in that direction, but if he's willing to give up eight or nine goals we'll take that right now. He hasn't watched us play much if he thinks were capable of scoring eight or nine goals."
Tagged: Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Jeff Finger, Jonas Gustavsson

Related Stories

Play Hockey Simulation Game on WhatIfSports


Trending Now

Stories | Photos | Lists | Videos

NHL Videos

Highlights: TOR/PHI Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Watch highlights of the Flyers' 4-3 win over the Maple Leafs.

Highlights: VAN/MIN Posted: Feb 10, 2012
Watch highlights of the Canucks' 5-2 win over the Wild.

The Big House Classic Posted: Feb 10, 2012
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman announces where the 2013 Winter Classic will be he...

MORE FOXSPORTS VIDEO »

Fox Sports Store

    itemName itemURL imageSrc price itemDescription
    Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Pittsburgh_Penguins/browse/featuredproduct/175178/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_175000/FF_175178_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Pittsburgh Penguins #87 Sidney Crosby Black Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Dallas_Stars/browse/featuredproduct/243363/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_243000/FF_243363_xl.jpg&w=100 124.95 Reebok Dallas Stars White Premier Hockey Jersey
    Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Tampa_Bay_Lightning/browse/featuredproduct/301017/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_301000/ff_301017_xl.jpg&w=100 19.95 Reebok Tampa Bay Lightning Primary Logo T-Shirt - Royal Blue
    Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Anaheim_Ducks/browse/featuredproduct/398322/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_398000/FF_398322_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic Anaheim Ducks Black Official Logo Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt
    Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Detroit_Red_Wings/browse/featuredproduct/403205/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_403000/FF_403205_xl.jpg&w=100 24.95 Detroit Red Wings Youth Black Southpaw Backpack
    Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Chicago_Blackhawks/browse/featuredproduct/408123/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_408000/FF_408123_xl.jpg&w=100 159.95 Reebok Chicago Blackhawks #88 Patrick Kane Red Premier Hockey Jersey
    Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_Jersey_Devils/browse/featuredproduct/456774/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_456000/ff_456774_xl.jpg&w=100 54.95 Majestic New Jersey Devils Red Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoody Sweatshirt
    Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Vancouver_Canucks/browse/featuredproduct/665779/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_665000/ff_665779_xl.jpg&w=100 11.95 Vancouver Canucks 2011 NHL Western Conference Champions Hockey Stick
    Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_San_Jose_Sharks/browse/featuredproduct/700543/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_700000/ff_700543_xl.jpg&w=100 17.95 Reebok San Jose Sharks In-Stick-Tive T-Shirt - Black
    Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_New_York_Islanders/browse/featuredproduct/752594/source/prsp_ca http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_752000/ff_752594_xl.jpg&w=100 59.95 Majestic New York Islanders Royal Blue Felt Tek Patch Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt
Microsoft© 2012 Microsoft