poll: how many fans in southern ontario like the shootout?

none.

Wade Dubielewicz makes the save on Sergei Brylin in the shootout to send the Isles to Buffalo on Thursday and keep the Leafs at home. Quite a way to end the season, whether you like shootouts or not.


...but if the Leafs had only taken care of business three Fridays ago in Buffalo instead of gagging away a 4-1 lead they'd be crossing the Peace Bridge this week rather than watching the playoffs at home. Nobody to blame but themselves.

I'm hoping nobody took seriously the whining (most notably from Don Cherry on Coach's Corner) that the Devils "had" to play Martin Brodeur in net on Sunday to "be fair." Please. The Devils have a primary obligation to themselves only. Playoff position is set, Brodeur has played 174% of New Jersey's games this year and will obviously play every minute in the playoffs as well. He has to rest. Scott Clemmensen played a strong game regardless.