Leafs Watch

By LANCE HORNBY -- Toronto Sun
KARPOVTSEV RECOVERING: D Alexander Karpovtsev is recovering from a strained right shoulder and hopes to play tomorrow night against the Mighty Ducks.

Misleading information on his condition relayed by the coaching staff raised speculation that Karpovtsev might also have suffered a chest injury, but the shoulder is the only area of concern.

DEYELL TAKING HIS TIME: C Mark Deyell continues to work out in Saskatchewan, wanting to be in the proper mental and physical condition before attempting to rejoin the St. John's Maple Leafs.

The 23-year-old needed surgery to save his right eye after a stick was accidentally jammed in it during an AHL game last spring. Complicating matters is that Deyell has memories of ending Islanders' prospect Jeff Libby's career a year ago when his skate blade accidentally sliced Libby.

OVERTIME OVERVIEW: The Leafs didn't play Saturday's extra period to general manager/coach Pat Quinn's liking, but Toronto remains one of the National Hockey League's most disciplined clubs where overtime is concerned.

Last year, the Leafs put together a league-best 6-1-7 regular-season record and won three more in the playoffs. They have tied both games this season under the 4-on-4 format for a combined mark of 9-1-9.

FALLING BEHIND: Last week's 1-1-1 trip cost the Leafs their hold of first place overall in the league and now they have fallen four goals behind last year's 16-game pace of 54. However, last year's 16th game was a 10-3 blowout in Chicago and Toronto has 18 fewer goals against at this stage than in 1998-99.

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