The 4-3 overtime win over the Thrashers at the ACC last night was easily Curtis Joseph's best performance since his return to the Leafs ... although in fairness it was versus Atlanta. The victory was a significant one. It was the classy veteran's first win of the season, the 450th of his career and the first since April 5 with the Flames. But fans don't care about details and neither does Cujo. Nevertheless, he appreciated the moment.
"Wins are the most important measure for goalies, I think," Joseph said of his 29-save performance. "It's certainly a great accomplishment each win you get later in your career. It certainly wasn't to pass anybody, but it's a nice round number."
Joseph still ranks fourth in NHL history with his 450 wins behind Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur and Ed Belfour and he's locked in, not moving up any time soon.
In any case, it was a little bit of retro Leafs feeling in the building, with 19,000 fans chanting "Cu-Jo, Cu-Jo" in the second period as he withstood a barrage of Thrasher shots on back-to-back power plays, preserving a 2-2 tie. He was named the game's first star and when he skated on to the ice, the love-in started up again.
"You block out the negative stuff, but you hear the good stuff," Joseph said. "It's a great feeling. They want you to do well for sure. This is my dream job and sometimes you don't realize it till you're gone."
It's funny he should say that. Was last night the beginning of an unofficial and brief farewell tour - without the parting gifts - for the popular 41-year-old?
Think about the unusual Leafs decision to start Joseph at all in the midst of a three-game losing skid and then announce in advance that he would also start versus the Sabres. It was a head-scratcher for many. The Leafs may have started Joseph to get that pesky milestone win out of the way against one of the league's doormats out of loyalty. After all, the team knows that, "What the hey, it can't hurt our playoff chances."
Another factor may be that GM Brian Burke knows it will be relatively painless to get out from under Joseph's one-year, $700,000 (U.S.) contract. With Joseph out of the way, he can get rookie Justin Pogge into the mix then maybe look to deal Vesa Toskala.
At the same time, Burke as the newcomer doesn't want to appear like a heartless boor. The Leafs want the classy veteran to go out having proved that he can still play rather than callously releasing the loyal warrior without a final kick at the can.
Think about it. The last time the Leafs had won a game before yesterday, they were playing the same Thrashers, Dec. 22 in Atlanta. With Toskala suffering a groin injury, instead of entrusting the blue ice to Joseph, already on hand, they called up the 22-year-old Pogge from the Marlies.
So, eight days later, same opponent, same need to rest Toskala, why not call Pogge up again to face a team that he beat in his debut? Why not repeat a formula that produced a victory just a week ago? The next night, when the Leafs returned home to face the Stars on Dec. 23, the night after Pogge's debut, with Toskala still feeling groin woes, coach Ron Wilson wouldn't give Joseph the start. Instead, he sat on the bench for the first seven goals against Toskala before entering in relief.
The Leafs' philosophy somehow changed in the space of a week. After three straight losses by the frying Finn heading into last night, instead of Pogge, Joseph got the nod. One may be excused for thinking Joseph's swan song is at hand. If he is indeed going to exit stage right - certainly not a slam-dunk - it should be with the dignity he deserves. The Leafs, if that is the plan, seem to be allowing that to happen.
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