Suddenly Paul Maurice is the reincarnation of Hap Day and John Ferguson Junior is but the ghostly resemblance of Conn Smythe.
Well not quite, but things are certainly much more positive around the Maple Leaf Nation these days as the Blue and White rattled off their third consecutive win, a rather convincing victory over a particularly disinterested looking Nashville Predators.
With outstanding goal tending from Vesa Toskala and the suddenly highlight goal scoring prowess of Wade Belak, the Leafs dismissed their southern guests by a score of 3-1.
It was by no means a barn burner, full of end to end action. For the most part the Leafs capitalized on sloppy play by the Preds and some challenging moments in the nets for their goaltender Chris Mason.
Things went so bad for the Preds, that Belak perhaps having a premonition of the fame to come, chose not to engage Darcy Hordichuk in the obligatory dust up, instead taking flight down the ice and his moment of destiny with the goal scorers list.
It was perhaps the perfect night for the Maple Leaf Nation, the hated Senators once again stumbled in a 4-3 loss to Tampa Bay and the Leafs have moved into eighth place, a playoff spot for the first time in the last number of weeks.
As for the circus that seems to be the Leafs off ice environment of late, all is quiet from the executive offices. With Richard Peddie apparently having been administered the Leaf version of Omerta, keeping out of sight, out of mind and out of the headlines.
Which is just fine with the Leaf fans, the only headlines they want to see these days are Leafs win again... one they've seen three games in a row.
One only wonders what sacrifices were offered up to bring such a change of fortune?
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