Leafs Watch

By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun
MATS MATHEMATICS: Captain Mats Sundin's third-period goal last night was his 167th as a Maple Leaf, moving him into 19th place in club history, ahead of Norm Ullman. Next on the list is Dick Duff (174).

Sundin, who was playing in his 700th National Hockey League game, needs one point to catch John Anderson for 18th place in club points (393-392).

LEAF AIRLIFT: In the midst of a three-game road trip, the Maple Leafs found out the disconcerting news that their charter airline, Star Air, has gone out of business.

But they made it as far as New Jersey where another company rescued them for the home voyage.

ON CLAUDE NINE: With two power-play goals last night, Claude Lemieux repaid New Jersey general manager Lou Lamoriello's faith that he could help the hot-and-cold Devils.

"Even if you feel the team is okay, you still wonder," Lamoriello told the New York Post. "I saw some things I didn't like and I had the opportunity to do something about it. I saw an inconsistency in the tenaciousness that should be there all the time. I sensed a feeling of waiting for the other guy to do it."

Lemieux got the biggest ovation from fans at the Continental Airlines Arena last night and a huge banner was unfurled before the anthems that read "In Claude We Trust."

Rumours also have the Devils and Oilers discussing a possible deal for Edmonton's Doug Weight, with New Jersey's Petr Sykora the reported asking price.

HOME STICKERS: The Leafs play five of their next six games at the Air Canada Centre and 12 of 19 at home before Christmas. Their game against Anaheim on Tuesday marks the return of Ladislav Kohn, who was claimed on waivers by the Mighty Ducks before the season began. He has six assists in 14 games.

briefly: New Jersey put RW Krzysztof Oliwa on the injured reserve list with a sprained knee yesterday. Coming off was D Brad Bombardir, who tore his esophagus during a bout of food poisoning last week ... Though Maple Leafs C Igor Korolev had the misfortune to have Washington's Jan Bulis jam the blade of his stick inside the upper part of his mouth on Friday, the injury was not as serious as thought and he played last night ... Bryan Berard blocked four shots last night and had ice bags on about three different extremeties afterwards ... Devils forward Randy McKay served the last game of a three-game suspension last night for a two-hander on Ulf Samuelsson.

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