David Shoalts
TORONTO — Globe and Mail Update Published on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008 11:56AM EST Last updated on Monday, Mar. 30, 2009 2:45PM EDT
The flu bug that whipped through the Carolina Hurricanes recently appears to have its eye on the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Forward Alexander Steen was unable to take part in the game-day skate for the Maple Leafs on Tuesday as they prepared for the evening's game against the Hurricanes. Head coach Paul Maurice was not sure if Steen would be able to play.
"He's possible for the game," Maurice said. "We'll bring him in this afternoon and see where he's at."
Maurice himself could be forgiven for taking a sick day or two this week, considering the latest furor over his stumbling hockey team. When he was asked if he considered using his famous sense of humour to loosen up his players, the coach demurred.
"There is enough to do in an NHL day," Maurice said. "We're not sitting around the campfire for six hours telling stories."
One of the things the Leafs have to do if they expect to beat the Hurricanes for the first time in three meetings this season is get physical with them right from the start.
"In both games, we didn't match them early," Maurice said. "[The Hurricanes] are a team that rolls. If they get going, they are hard to stop.
"If they get a good feeling, they have a lot of players who feed off that. They get that jump. It's really important to match that early."
Vesa Toskala will start in goal for the Leafs for the second consecutive game."
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