Leafs get the point they wanted in New York

I have a short and very basic question for you on the heels of the Leafs 3-2 shootout loss at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday night.  But first I’ll just make the point that, for the Leafs, they got the point they wanted on the road.  That they were able to snatch three out of four points against New York in this home and home series this week, while the Rangers walked away with only two, is huge in many ways.  It shows they can play with another team that was thought to be one of the “best in the East” before the season started.  And maybe most importantly, it solidifies the Leafs’ playoff “position”—and prevents the Rangers from what could have occurred: sweeping the mini-series, and ending up tied with the Leafs in the standings.

I know the Leafs were outshot (yet) again, and some were upset that Grabbo was not playing much in the early going.  But I was pleased to see the veteran center play more down the stretch and into overtime (it felt like most of his 11 minutes were in the final part of regulation and then in OT, which must have meant Carlyle saw some jump in his stride as the game progressed).  Grabovski was also part of the shootout, another sign Carlyle liked what he was seeing.  I'm hoping this bodes well for Grabovski's future "situation".

Phaneuf played over 30 minutes, McClement (who has to get the ‘unsung hero’ award or some darn thing at the end of the season) more than 20 minutes.  The Kadri line had its moments but was also on the ice for two goals by the Rangers.  (In fairness, Liles was awfully unlucky on the second, as his clearing attempt while trying to get the puck deep into the Ranger end hit a linesman.  New York took advantage and scored on the subsequent rush…)

Reimer was sensational at times, and was brilliant on two shootout attempts.  Critics (he still has some) will point to the goal the Rangers got in the shootout because it went through his legs.  But goal scorers have to score somewhere, eh?  Reimer is blamed for giving them up through the five-hole, or high on his glove side, or over his non-glove shoulder, or because he gives up rebounds.  The fact is, no goalie stops everything- and all goaltenders have their weak spots.  He earned the Leafs their point, I’d say.

But you may shave seen things a bit differently, so for fun (and there’s a reason I’m doing this, which I will reveal later if enough people post today), here’s my “question”:  who were the three best players for the Leafs against the Rangers Wednesday night—and why?

I look forward to reading your perspective.