HOCKEY LAST NIGHT: AWAY, WITHOUT LEAFS

Red Wings 5 Leafs 1: Water eventually finds its own level, and apparently so do Toronto hockey teams. The Leafs looked every bit like some of the teams from the darkest years of the Harold Ballard era last night in a matchup of former Norris Division rivals.

Goalie Andrew Raycroft came in for some criticism, but he wasn't at fault for the Leafs playing short-handed for 19 minutes (what is this, Junior B?) last night. It's one thing to say Raycroft isn't stealing any games for the Leafs lately, but that only deflects attention away from the reality that the team isn't very good.

As James Mirtle noted prior to the game, the big pre-season concern in Toronto -- namely, their lack of offence -- has come to the fore. The Leafs can't outscore teams, so once they get down a goal or two, self-doubt starts seeping through the ranks.

Rangers 3 Senators 1: No reason for the Sens Nation, Sens Army or whatever copycat name those wannabes are going by these days to panic after a second straight loss. Ottawa played just well enough to lose yesterday, although if Henrik Lundqvist hadn't stopped Dany Heatley on a second-period breakaway, the floodgates might have opened. In Ottawa's defence, they were home for a single game between road trips, and I'd love to see how well teams play in those instances.

Daniel Alfredsson's supposed to be back from injury tonight in Columbus. If the Sens can't come up with a win there, well, it's going to make for an interesting Monday morning around here.

Elsewhere: NHL scoreboard

Today's better games: Senators-Blue Jackets, 6 p.m.; Panthers-Rangers, 7 p.m.; Oilers-Blackhawks, 7 p.m. (actually, that's all of 'em)

HOMETOWN BREAKDOWN

There's no idea here how long it takes to bus it from Kingston to Erie, Pa., although it does involve steering around two Great Lakes and dealing with Toronto traffic and possible long lines at the border crossing. Long story short, let's assume the Frontenacs had a bad case of bus legs, as they got pounded 6-2 last night by the last-place Erie Otters, who won for just the eighth time in 32 games.

It's either that or the Fronts can't handle prosperity. Lose today in Kitchener and that could put them on a tailspin heading into the last three games before the holiday break -- which includes a home-and-home with Belleville this week.

That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.