Leafs Watch

BY DAVE FULLER -- Toronto Sun NO DOUBTING THOMAS: Although he's only one point shy of the Maple Leafs points lead, Steve Thomas has yet to score a goal this season.
Thomas has a team-best six assists, but the 36-year-old winger clearly feels dissatisfied.
"I would like to have five goals by now, but to tell you the truth, I'm not getting great chances," Thomas said after the Leafs' 4-2 loss Saturday in St. Louis. "Maybe I should be working a little bit harder, I'm not sure."
Thomas refused to blame the loss of centre Mats Sundin (fractured right ankle) for his scoring woes.
"We all miss Mats," he said. "But I'm not going to use that as an excuse.
"When I'm scoring goals or getting good chances I feel like I'm going to the net a lot harder and taking a (defenceman) and giving the guys carrying the puck a little more time.
"Mats liked to carry the puck and I tried to get in front of him and get a little pick on (a defenceman). Then I would move to the net and a look for things happen."
Thomas doesn't think he has played with the same reckless abandon with new linemates, Yanic Perreault and Jonas Hoglund.
"I don't feel like we're getting the good offensive rushes we should get with the talent we have on our line," Thomas said.
"Jonas is very opportunistic. If he gets the puck he shoots if it's a good scoring chance. When he shoots I have to be going to the net for a rebound and so does Yanic. That's what I have to think about the next game."
Thomas insisted neither his age and nor a history of injuries has been a problem.
"I feel healthy. I'm enjoying myself on the ice. It's maybe going to take a puck going in off my shoulder and then they'll come," he said.
"I've always been a streaky scorer throughout my career so, hopefully, I'll run into a streak pretty soon.
WALKING WOUNDED: Defenceman Cory Cross, who left the game against St. Louis in the first period after being knocked into the boards by Jamal Mayers, suffered a minor lower-leg sprain and is listed as day to day.
Meanwhile, No. 2 centre Igor Korolev has been cleared to play Wednesday against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Air Canada Centre.
Korolev missed weekend games in Chicago and St. Louis after he was struck by a puck in the cheekbone and sinus area last Wednesday against Florida.
LEAFS UPDATE: The Leafs earned a day off yesterday after playing five games in eight nights ... The annual Meet the Leafs Luncheon will be held at the Metro Convention Centre today. Tickets for for the event, which runs from 11 a.m. until about 2 p.m., are $45 and $65 and are available from TicketMaster.

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