TORONTO – The workload is rising again. Auston Matthews Jersey . And like the near entirety of last season, Jonathan Bernier and Torontos goaltending tandem is up to the task. Bernier turned down 40 Anaheim shots Tuesday night as the Leafs rolled to their sixth straight victory and 10th in the last 12 games (10-1-1). Despite the stunning string of success over the past month, head coach Randy Carlyle wisely noted that his team has slipped recently. Theyve allowed an average of 37 shots in the past nine games, but have had the goaltending and mighty offence to hold strong. Leaf goalies have combined for a superb .939 save percentage since Nov. 29. Bernier has carried that bulk of that workload, mustering a .936 mark himself in his last seven starts, yielding two or less in five of them. Obviously the shot totals got to get down, said Nazem Kadri following a 6-2 win over the West-leading Ducks, but the way Bernies been playing, hes got those so I dont think were too worried about that. Bernier did most of his damage in the early going. He turned down 30 of the 31 shots he faced over the first two periods, including a pair on Ryan Getzlaf on a late first period Ducks power play. Later, after the Leafs pounced for their second goal, he made a fine save on Ryan Kesler. He made some big stops for us early in the hockey game, Carlyle said. It seemed like wed weather a little bit of a storm, wed get a chance and wed score so it made us feel good about ourselves. And he was the main reason that we put ourselves in a position to win the hockey game. Berniers counterpart, Frederik Andersen didnt fare quite as well. Making his 19th straight start in goal, Andersen was pulled after the fourth Toronto goal, one that saw Kadri outwait Ducks defender Mark Fistric, before firing the puck into the upper reaches of the Anaheim cage. The Leafs would add two more goals after that, burying Anaheim in the third. Theyve scored in crazy bunches during the past month, scorching with 49 goals during the 12-game run (or more than four per game). Thats kept the recent slippage in overall performance in the background, but has Carlyle rightfully concerned no less. Now I feel that we are slipping, he said of the teams recent play, which has included wins over powerhouses from Detroit, L.A. and now Anaheim. We have to get back to that more energetic, more stop-and-go, more straight-line hockey. Carlyle felt his team lacked energy and a forceful forecheck against the Ducks, who often bullied their way to long stretches in the Toronto zone. But we won, said Carlyle, in a triumphant mood. Bernier, meanwhile, has turned things around after a so-so start to the season. Tuesdays 40-save performance pushed him up to a .922 save percentage after 22 starts, good for ninth-best among regular NHL starters. His .932 mark at even-strength is also back at the superb level he managed in his debut as a Leaf last season. The worst shot suppression team in the league a year ago, the Leafs are fourth from the bottom so far this year, yielding nearly 34 per game. Five Points 1. Killer Instinct The Leafs are an astounding 14-0-0 when they score first this season, one of only two teams with an unbeaten record (Montreal being the other). Toronto is also a coinciding 13-0-0 when leading after two periods. Up 2-1 after 40 minutes on Tuesday, the Leafs scored a pair in the first five minutes of the third; that highlight marker from Kadri and the first of David Booths Toronto tenure. I think were getting much better when we have the lead, said Bernier. We keep playing hard. And I think last year maybe we would stop playing and they would come with a lot of speed. There were times last year when we went into games with the lead in the third period when we didnt have that killer instinct that we have today, addedJoffrey Lupul, scoring his seventh of the year early into the middle period. The Leafs were actually 27-9-4 last year when they scored first – good for only 19th best overall – and 26-1-2 when leading after two periods. 2. Top Line Torontos top line has been a constant source of production on the power play all year, but has sputtered at even-strength over the past month, spending long stretches in the defensive zone. í think it starts in the offensive zone, Carlyle said before Tuesdays game. I think that, at times, theyve been a one-and-out [offence]. Theyre a rush line that has to try to develop more of a puck-possession game in the offensive zone. I think thats more important than anything. Its 200 feet away from their net. Theyve got to find ways to maybe stop up and not take the bad angle shot and get two guys caught or three guys caught. I think that theyre quality players that will find a way to do that, he concluded. I just think right now theyre in a little bit of a dry spell. And indeed, the trio of Phil Kessel, Tyler Bozak, and James van Riemdsyk had a much better night in that regard against the Ducks. The line came up with three of the six Toronto goals – including a pair at even-strength – sustaining more frequent stints in the offensive zone. Carlyle gave them lighter competition, however, matching the trio up against the Ducks youth-infused third unit of Andrew Cogliano, Rickard Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. In my mind, they should have a good night if theyre playing up against the youth of Anaheim right now, said Carlyle. Kessel had two even-strength points in the victory, equaling the mark he had in the previous 11 games (minus empty-netters). The 27-year-old, who also led his team in possession against the Ducks, has six goals in the past eight games and leads the Leafs with 34 points in 31 games. 3. Studying Getzlaf Drafted by the Ducks in 2009, Peter Holland only suited up in 29 games with the club, but he got a brief, up-close look at Ryan Getzlaf. Hes continued to study Anaheims captain since then, even watching video of about five of his games so far this year. Just trying to take little bits and pieces from his game and try to incorporate it into my own, says Holland. His patience with the puck is top of the league, for sure. He just seems to know where the quiet areas of the ice are and he can hold onto the puck for a couple extra seconds before he makes a pass. The game slows down for him. Holland says Getzlafs presence on the ice is incredible and hes doing what he can to work some of the aforementioned tactics into his own game. Im trying to, yeah, said the 24-year-old. Its a lot easier said than done obviously, but just watching the way he handles the puck and distributes it is something special to be honest. Holland, who had an assist in the victory, split the matchup against Getzlafs line on Tuesday night – Kadris line being the other – spending the other half of the evening opposite the equally challenging unit fronted by Ryan Kesler. 4. Home Ice The Leafs now have a league-high 14 wins at home – while playing the most games – taking full advantage of a comfy early schedule. Theyll play 17 of their next 22 on the road though, a huge mountain to climb with the World Juniors coming to the ACC for the latter stages of December. Its going to be a different challenge, for sure, said Lupul. Its weird, at the start of the year it seemed we were more comfortable playing on the road than at home and now we obviously have a good thing going here. Toronto has a plus-17 goal differential at home versus a plus-4 mark in just 10 games on the road. 5. 100 Morgan Rielly crossed the 100-game plateau last week in Detroit, a feat celebrated by his teammates. Its obviously a pretty cool moment, he said later of the recognition. Riellys sophomore season hasnt been all ups though. Hes endured the predictable swings of a young defender in the league. But of late, the 20-year-old has been more actively involved in the play, finding something of a groove. I think so, he agreed. [But] I think its just a matter of trying to be consistent. Ive had times where I think Ive played well and Ive been happy with it and I think the coaches have been happy with it as well. But its about doing that every night. You cant do it in spurts, youve got to be consistent and thats what Ive got to work on. For Rielly, the key to that consistency is the asset that made him a top-5 pick: his skating. I think youve got to be involved in the play and youve got to try to make a difference, he said. You cant be a passenger. Youve got to help this team in each way you can, whether its carrying the puck, whether its playing defence, blocking point shots; youve just got to do what you can and try to help the team. Rielly played more than 21 minutes against the Ducks. He and partner, Stephane Robidas, struggled at times with the size and strength of their Western Conference opponents though. Stats Pack 17 – Even-strength points for Nazem Kadri this season, third-best on the Leafs. .936 – Save percentage for Jonathan Bernier in his past seven starts. 7-2-1 – Leafs record against the West this season. 49 – Goals in the past 12 games for the Leafs. 37 – Average shots allowed by the Leafs in the past nine games. 14-7-0 – Leafs home record. Special Teams Capsule PP: 1-3 Season: 21% PK: 2-2 Season: 84% Quote of the Night Youve gotta like it. - Randy Carlyle, upon being informed that the Leafs were 14-0-0 when scoring first. Up Next The Leafs visit the Hurricanes on Thursday night. Custom Toronto Maple Leafs Jerseys . And like the near entirety of last season, Jonathan Bernier and Torontos goaltending tandem is up to the task. Connor Carrick Jersey . -- LeGarrette Blount wasnt satisfied with three short touchdown runs, not against a team coming off the second greatest comeback in playoff history. http://www.shopmapleleafsonline.com/Maple-Leafs-William-Nylander-Adidas-Jersey/ . Ilonen birdied five of his closing seven holes in superb scoring conditions to end the day with a two-shot lead on the Fota Island course. Ilonen had just 26 putts on the occasion of his 300th European Tour event.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- With one sweet swing, Edwin Encarnacion showed the Toronto Blue Jays what they hope to be getting back soon. After missing more than a month with a strained right quadriceps muscle, Encarnacion is close to rejoining the Blue Jays in the middle of their playoff chase. Now on a minor-league rehab stint with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons, Encarnacion is one step away, and on Tuesday night he showed evidence of his progress by hitting a first-pitch, no-doubt grand slam. Encarnacion, who led off as the designated hitter, went 1 for 4 with the grand slam, a fly out, a pop up and a ground out. He reported no problems after the Bisons 7-5 victory. "Its a lot of fun to be playing and have a game like today," Encarnacion said. "I feel great with my leg, thats the main thing right now. It feels great: no problems swinging, no problems running." With the bases loaded in the second inning Encarnacion made short work of a first-pitch slider from Norfolk Tides starter Steve Johnson, showing the right-handed power stroke the Blue Jays could desperately use by smacking the ball over the fence in left. "I was just looking for something in the strike zone and make a good swing on it," Encarnacion said. "He handed me the slider and I made a good swing on it." The plan is for Encarnacion to play two more games with the Bisons before meeting up with the Blue Jays on Friday in Chicago. Despite missing the past month, the 31-year-old still leads the team in home runs (26) and trails only Jose Bautista in runs batted in (70). After suffering a recent setback that delayed his return to the injury-ravaged Blue Jays, the main objective during the final step of Encarnacions rehab is to get him to the majors in one piece. "I dont know if hes quite there where he wants to be with his leg there. But well play that by ear," manager Gary Allenson said before the game. "Keeping him healthy through the next couple days is important." When Encarnacion was injured in Oakland on July 5, the Blue Jays were half-game back of the Baltimore Orioles in the AL East. Going into Tuesday nights game at the Seattle Mariners they were six back, making the second wild-card spot their most realistic shot of reaching the playoffs. Encarnacion has watched every game since going on the disabled list and been in communication with his teammates. "Ive been talking to every guy," he said. "They want to see me there soon." Recently, the Blue Jays have had to try to stay afloat without Encarnacion, first baseman Adam Lind and third baseman Brett Lawrie. Lind (fractured right foot) was activated in time to bat cleanup against the Mariners on Tuesday, while Lawrie (straight left obblique) is out until at least September. Felix Potvin Jersey. Toronto manager John Gibbons said last week his hope was to have Encarnacion and Lind split first-base and designated-hitting duties when they returned, which would allow Juan Francisco and Danny Valencia to platoon at third. Encarnacion wants to be back sooner rather than later, but not at the expense of quality hitting. "I just try to be available to play not 100 per cent but close to help my team win games," he said. "I dont want to go there and play only 50 or 60 per cent because I (wouldnt) help my team. I want to make sure that Ill be 100 per cent and be healthy to help my team." Although Allenson joked that the slugger might not be the ideal lead-off hitter, Encarnacion was there to maximize his at-bats. Hes expected to play first base Wednesday night, with Thursday afternoons game plan still up in the air. No matter the plan, outfielder Kevin Pillar, who appeared in 26 games for the Blue Jays this season, doesnt think it hurts to have Encarnacion in Buffalos lineup for a little while. "Its always nice having guys like Eddie come down and if you can just pick his brain for a day or two and just get a chance to watch him hit, Im pretty sure hes not going to miss a beat," Pillar said. "Watching a guy like him come into spring training without maybe a whole lot of live pitching and hit the way he does, itll just be fun for us and fun for the people of Buffalo to get a chance to see him play." Knowing hes in charge of a major asset for the parent club, Allenson said a decision to send Encarnacion home from third might be a little more conservative than with other players. Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said "explosive movements" while running were the biggest concern for Encarnacion. "I think thats what he might need to protect," Anthopoulos said last week. "If hes hitting a chopper down the third-base line and hes really trying to sprint down the line or hes trying to stretch an extra-base hit and things like that." Perhaps even more telling than the grand slam was Encarnacions grounder that made him test his quadriceps running down the first base line. "I feel good," he said. "I feel great and I think everythings going to be all right." Steps away from being back with the Blue Jays, Encarnacion wont be expected to push himself too hard the rest of this week as he inches back. "If he just goes up when he gets done here, goes up and DHs, thats a big bat to have in the lineup," Allenson said. "More than anything for Edwin, as long as he gets his timing down, sees some pitches and gets comfortable where he gets it going again it will be just fine." Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '