Leafs go for the Gusto with Gustavsson

So the verdict is in from Ron Wilson and for all the Vesa Toskala bashers out there, you are happy to hear that Jonas Gustavsson will start his first NHL game. Now the real question is, does Vesa Toskala deserve all of this negative criticism after just 2 games? Everyone has their own answers however mine is a simple yes.

Vesa Toskala is 0-2, with a 4.74 GAA and an 800 save percentage. I know it's early but those are horrendous stats. Obviously you can't blame everything on Vesa however it is nice once and a while to have your NUMBER ONE goalie make a big save every now and then. He's lacking that game breaking save or that momentum shift save that can change the game. Staying true to Brian Burkes motto of no one is guaranteed a spot on the team or a start every night, this is a pretty obvious and easy move, plain and simple Vesa is not performing under a defense core that is supposed to be better than last year. They cannot continue to ride a goalie who just isn't playing up to par. The defense has not fully lived up to their expectations, especially new comers Francois Beauchemin and Mike Komisarek, but the first thing that goes wrong when you think your defense is where it needs to be is the goalie change.

Now Jonas Gustavsson has clearly shown signs of being a reliable goalie, after "the save" against Detroit and the 3 periods of shutout hockey. Obviously you can't put much faith and judge him on that but it sure gives me a lot more to be happy about with him going in net compared to Vesa, the question marks have been surrounding him since last season and after a slow start it only makes everyone's Toskala jerseys that much closer to the fire. Jonas has nothing to lose in net, hes come in to take a job. He won't get sent down, he won't get traded, he is a young kid with nothing to prove other than he can play the goalie position in the NHL. I feel a lot more comfortable knowing tonight that we don't know which Vesa Toskala we will get, could it be the shaky Vesa Toskala or will it be the shades of greatness from sections of last season. However with Gustavvson we only know that he is a solid goalie and is willing and ready to prove to Leafs Nation why he was so sought after by Big Burkey. I feel as though after only catching a brief showing of Jonas that he has more upside to his game than Vesa, maybe I'm just so negative towards Vesa because of the weak goals let in game after game by him last year. Jonas brings a lot more size to the net and challenges shooters and doesn't get out of position too much like Vesa, correct me I'm wrong but I don't believe Jonas had an actual shot beat him, it was breakaways and scrambles infront of the net where he mad the first 2 saves but not the 3rd.

All in all, I was relieved to hear that he will be starting tonight. This kid has the team on his back and all these older guys will not want to let him down and have him falter like Justin Pogge, they are playing for themselves and the team but also for Jonas who has much to prove. So to my fellow Leaf fans, It's time to see what the Monster can do. GO LEAFS GO