[devo22]

The Toronto Maple Leafs had a light workload this week with just 3 games. The team went a perfect 3-0-0 and climbed in the standings ... three Leafs earned nominations this week:

Player: LW Loui Eriksson (73 overall): 3 GP, 3 G + 2 A = 5 P, +4, 1 GWG, 1x 1st star
Loui Eriksson had some problems adjusting to life in Toronto, but he finally broke through this week with 5 points in 3 games. He found some chemistry with Michael Grabner and Paul Gaustad on the Leafs' top line, and honestly, everone of the three would deserve a nomination here ... but Gaustad is nominated for another award and Grabner didn't have a game-winner, so Loui is the man of choice here. Eriksson was scoreless in a 3-1 win over the Isles, but provided three points (1+2) in a 5-1 win against the Predators, including an assist on the game-winner. Eriksson then had his first two-goal performance of the year in a 4-1 victory against the Devils, scoring both the tying goal and the game-winner while registering 8 shots on goal. Unsurpringly, he was named 1st star of the game. Eriksson had it coming though, leading the Leafs with 18 shots in the 3 games this week while registering more than 20 minutes of ice-time each.

Goaltender: J.-S. Giguere (78 overall): 3 GP, 3-0-0, 1.00 GAA, .969 % svs, 1x 1st star
Well, what can I say about J.-S. Giguere? The old man has been the Leafs' MVP so far this season. He already won the goalie award last week, but he was even better this week. He again won all three games he started (he has 6 wins in a row now) and allowed one goal in each of them. He first led the Leafs to a 3-1 win vs the Islanders with 29 saves and took 1st star honours. He also provided an assist in this game on the first Leafs goal. In a 5-1 win over Nashville, Giguere turned aside 28 shots, and he had the same number of saves in a 3-1 win over New Jersey. All in all, Jiggy allowed 3 goals on 88 shots, which equals to a save percentage of .969 % and a goal-against average of 1.00 ... Giguere had everything but a shutout this week, but it'll come sooner or later. Giguere now leads all CPHL goaltenders in save percentage (.935 %) and goal-against average (2.14).

Unsung: C Paul Gaustad (63 overall): 3 GP, 2 G + 4 A = 6 P, +4, 1 GWG, 1x 1st star, 2x 3rd star
Paul Gaustad has been excellent for Toronto since being acquired earlier this season. Filling in on the top line for the injured David Legwand, Gaustad showed some untapped scoring potential aside Loui Eriksson and Michael Grabner. This week, he had his first goal of the season in a 3-1 win against the Islanders and was voted 3rd star in the game. Gaustad then led the Leafs to a 5-1 win over the Predators, scoring three points (1+2) including the game-winning goal. He was voted 1st star in this game. He rounded out the week with two assists in a 4-1 win over his former team, the Devils. He again got 3rd star honours in this game. He was also vital from the faceoff dot this week, winning 42 out of 74 draws (~57 %).