MONTREAL – The question was posed to Jonathan Bernier, perhaps the busiest netminder in the National Hockey League this season and a man who has witnessed the strength of terrific defensive hockey in Los Angeles firsthand en route to a Cup in 2012: Can his Toronto Maple Leafs, currently the top wild card in the East, threaten a deep playoff run without raising their substandard level of defensive play? "Goalies got to be good," Bernier said with an almost uncomfortable laugh. "I personally dont think so," he continued frankly. "Because some games [the goalie] wont get those bounces and [the puck is] going to go in somehow. But we know weve got it in this room. Weve just got to pay the price to play better defensively and, if we do, Im pretty sure we can be one of the top teams in this league." Its an uncomfortable truth for a team that wrung up 11 wins in 14 games before the Olympic break and has designs on making noise in the playoffs after a long-awaited return last spring. This is a hockey club that struggles badly to defend and relies most nights on terrific goaltending and an incredibly potent offence to win. Its a formula that might yield success in the regular season, and it has for the Leafs thus far, but is unlikely to gain much steam when the hockey tightens in mid-April. Head coach Randy Carlyle has been beating the drum loudly on the topic all season, but doesnt have much to show for it. His group remains a work in progress. "Weve been trying and stressing that defensive hockey is whats going to give your team the best chance to qualify for the playoffs," said Carlyle after an instructive practice in Brossard, Quebec. "[But] were in the qualification mode. Were not in the playoff mode [yet]." Only five teams have been worse than the Leafs defensively this season and only one of those teams, the Ottawa Senators, has any hope of qualifying for the playoffs. Toronto has allowed a bloated three goals per game despite boasting some of the finest goaltending in the league with the 25-year-old Bernier. No team, in fact, puts more pressure on their goaltender to be great than do the Leafs. Only Mike Smith in Phoenix has faced more shots than Bernier thus far and hes started 10 more games than the native of Laval. "I think weve seen it," said Bernier of sturdy defensive play. "I think everyones seen it, but I dont think weve seen it consistently enough." Hurting the effort is a bad penalty kill, one thats allowed the most goals (tied) in the league this season, an unstable defence which includes young and growing parts like Morgan Rielly and Jake Gardiner and a high-end forward group that has shown only spotty attention to defence. A pile of goals and timely goaltending have been required most nights to win. That was true during an 11-2-1 run before the 18-day Olympic stoppage. Running, then, behind the all-world efforts of Phil Kessel, who has been the hottest player on the planet in 2014, the club scored 51 goals – 3.64 per game – but also allowed 41 on the other end. Theyve won despite being outshot in 36 of 48 games – they have a record of 21-10-5 in those games – and despite the fact that theyve allowed a league-high of more than 36 shots per game. Cody Franson, second on the back-end in minutes, believes the instability is tied to confusion in the defensive end, too much thinking rather quick instinctual reaction. "I think were still a little indecisive on things sometimes," he said. "We try and play a quite aggressive style of defence and sometimes when you think too much you end up being a half second slow compared to where you should be. That comfort level just isnt quite there with us yet. I think we still think about things too much." They allowed five in their most recent affair against the Islanders on Thursday night, an overtime loss to a struggling club that was without its best player and leading scorer, John Tavares, and their third leading point-getter in Frans Nielsen. Two of the goals came by way of short circuiting on the power-play with Michael Grabner scoring twice shorthanded in a span of 48 seconds on the same power-play. Another found the back of the net via the aforementioned penalty kill with two more coming on defensive breakdowns, including the overtime winner. "Gifts," said Carlyle after the 5-4 defeat. "Ive got no other word to describe the goals that we gave up." A drastic reversal at this late stage in the year seems unlikely, though Carlyle and the coaching staff continue to push and prod. They did so with any available ice during the Olympic break and continued at practice Friday, narrowing their sights on a tighter neutral zone and improved forecheck – efforts aimed at spending less time in the defensive zone. But with just 21 games to play, including a division clash with the Canadiens on Saturday, its probably safe to say that this is what these Maple Leafs are. The question now is whether they can, as currently constructed, make a little noise in the postseason (assuming they get in) or whether their defensive liabilities will prove too onerous to overcome. Last spring, they nearly toppled a Bruins giant, but required some lightning in a bottle and forgotten brilliance from James Reimer in Games 5 and 6. History points emphatically in the direction of those that can defend. In fact, the last three Stanley Cup winners finished the regular season as either the best or second-best team defensively. And though the Leafs are not yet in the Cup conversation, that remains the goal somewhere down the road. Dave Nonis and the Toronto management team have to be mindful of that fact as it relates to the larger construction of the roster, both now with the Mar. 5 trade deadline looming and over the longer term with the core thats being put into place. Are these the foundations of a club that can eventually win the ultimate prize?  "You always see it every year, strong defensive teams win," said Jay McClement. "I think we have the make-up for it. But not without being strong defensively. Obviously, youre not going to win a lot of games 5-4 in the playoffs. We have the goaltending for it and have had it all year. Weve just got to cut down on these mistakes and well be fine. "Were not changing the way we do it, weve just got to do it better." Allen Robinson Jersey . 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TRADES COMPLETED SINCE OCT. 1, 2014: Feb. 15, 2015 Toronto Maple Leafs acquire: F Olli Jokinen, F Brendan Leipsic, 1st Round Pick (2015) Nashville Predators acquire: D Cody Franson, F Mike Santorelli Feb.VANCOUVER -- Coach Martin Rennies season-long struggle to field two dangerous strikers in the same game will continue tonight as his Vancouver Whitecaps fight to keep their Major League Soccer playoff hopes alive in Seattle. You can watch the game on TSN2 at 10pm et/7pm pt. Rennie faces another major test to find a suitable strike mate for Camilo, the current Major League Soccer player of the week, as the Whitecaps (11-11-9) seek a win against a Sounders squad (15-9-6) that has lost only one game at home and routinely attracts crowds of over 45,000. The Whitecaps sit six points out of the fifth and final post-season berth in the Western Conference with only three games left and a possible nine points up for grabs. As usual, injuries and international call-ups are making Rennies second striker choice difficult. Darren Mattocks would have been the ideal selection to complement Camilo after they excelled together in a 2-2 draw Sunday with the Portland Timbers. But Mattocks, who has been in and out of the lineup all season due to injuries, inconsistency and international duty, has left the club to join Jamaicas national team in preparation for a World Cup qualifying match Friday against the U.S. "Thats one of the things thats been frustrating a little bit this season," said Rennie. "Any time you get him kind of in and around the team, he seems to be gone again. Thats something that has hurt him a little bit this season. Its hurt us as well, because on Sunday there we found out just how good a player he is." Rennie would have liked Mattocks to build on the effort against Portland. Kenny Miller would also be an ideal fit, because he and Camilo have combined for 27 of Vancouvers 44 goals, posting many while playing alongside each other. But Miller, who has eight goals, is questionable after missing the past two games with a groin injury. Millers anticipated absence poses concern because the Whitecaps have won more games with him in the lineup than when he was out due to injury or while playing for Scotlands national team, from which he has since retired. Striker Tommy Heinemann is available but the St. Louis native, who is strong in the air but not fleet afoot, did not work overly well with Camilo in a 1-0 loss to Real Salt Lake on Sept. 28. Consequently, 18-year-old rookie Kekuta Manneh, will likely be counted on to play a significant rolle either in a rare start or his usual substitute function.dddddddddddd "It means a lot," said Manneh, a Gambia native, of his chance to play in the big game. "I feel like every rookie, that will be their dream to come to the team and be a part of the team. Hopefully I can bring something to the team and we can win." Manneh possesses world-class speed and skill, but Rennie has limited the rookies playing time -- usually dressing him in the 18-player lineup while infrequently putting him into games -- as he takes a cautious approach to his professional development. "We know hes got so much talent," said Rennie. "Were just not 100 per cent sure what were going to get (each game). But we do know if its good, then it could be great. Thats something we have to consider once we know how (Miller) is." Manneh has two goals and two assists while logging 529 minutes over 17 games. He often lines up as a midfielder and pushes forward, creating many scoring opportunities. He feels much more prepared for a contest of this magnitude than he was at the start of the season. "Ive come a long way," he said of his improvement. But it remains to be seen how much he can help a struggling Vancouver side that has gone 2-6-4 in its past 12 games. The Whitecaps will likely depend even more on Camilo, who scored both of their goals against Portland. He booted one goal on a long free kick and the other on a sideways bicycle blast. "Camilo has done that for us all season," said captain Jay DeMerit. "That hopefully has to continue now in the final games because we need him." Notes: Whitecaps central defender Johnny Leveron will also be away on international duty for World Cup qualifying with Honduras. a The Whitecaps will be eliminated if they lose once and Los Angeles or Colorado posts a single win in their remaining games. Vancouver closes out its season with two games against Colorado. a Clint Dempsey, the highest paid player in MLS at US$5 million this season, will dress for the Sounders after being sidelined since Sept. 13 with a hamstring injury. Fellow striker Obafemi Martins is also slated to suit up after missing their last game in Colorado with a groin injury. a Seattles Eddie Johnson and Brad Evans will be away with the U.S. team, while Zach Scott serves a one-game suspension for a red card. Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys Cheap Clippers Jerseys Cheap Lakers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Kings Jerseys Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Cheap Rockets Jerseys Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys ' ' '