Alexei Ponikarovsky News

A month ago, there would have been no debate. The Toronto Maple Leafs, who began the season without a win in their first eight games, were the worst team in the National Hockey League.

It was the kind of moment where Toronto Maple Leafs coach Ron Wilson couldn't help but feel a little optimistic.

The Maple Leafs couldn't land the NHL's Winter Classic outdoor game for thousands of fans and millions of TV viewers, but an intimate outdoor practice for a few hundred school kids was just as meaningful yesterday.

Alexei Poniakarovsky, left, and Matt Stajan celebrate during Toronto's 5-2 victory on Monday night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will try to post their longest winning streak of the season when they host the rival Buffalo Sabres in tonight's Northeast Division clash at Air Canada Centre.

Jason Blake and Phil Kessel each scored twice, as the Toronto Maple Leafs dominated the Columbus Blue Jackets, 6-3, at Nationwide Arena.

Toronto will face Montreal tonight for the third time this season and the second time at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Maple Leafs left winger Alexei Ponikarovsky screens Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller in Buffalo on Oct.

Jason Blake and Tomas Kaberle celebrate a goal during a game earlier this month.

Niklas Hagman and Phil Kessel each scored two goals to lift the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 6-4 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night.

Coach Ron Wilson , who's getting a little tired of questions about losing, had an amusing take on why the team is in this position.

The Toronto Maple Leafs' Mikhail Grabovski battles the Carolina Hurricanes' Ray Whitney during the first period of their NHL hockey game in Raleigh on Nov.

Phil Kessel, Niklas Hagman and a couple of good bounces helped pull the Toronto Maple Leafs out of another extended winless slide.

Written By: Mark a oeThe Hard Hittera Ritter The first quarter of the NHL season for the Toronto Maple Leafs has been sad.

Puck bounces in off him in regulation, adds another in shootout. Vesa Toskala - Gets first win since Feb.

Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen scored in the shootout and the Carolina Hurricanes rallied from three goals down to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-5 on Thursday night.

A season that is going south hit a low point down in Dixie last night with a 6-5 shootout loss.

Nikolai Kulemin #41 and Ian White #7 of the Toronto Maple Leafs congratulate teammate Alexei Ponikarovsky #23 on his first period goal against the Minnesota Wild at the Air Canada Centre on November 10, 2009 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Mike Fisher scored twice, including the game- winner late in the second period, and Pascal Leclaire made it stand up with a solid outing in net, as Ottawa took a 3-2 decision from Toronto at Scotiabank Place.

Looking for an early Christmas present for your favourite Maple Leaf? How about a game night alarm clock with the snooze button ripped out.