Early in the third period last night, the Air Canada Centre scoreboard read like an optical illusion.
The Maple Leafs were outshooting their visitors from Western Canada by a 30-11 count and dominating just about every area of the rink.
But when Flames captain Jarome Iginla broke down the right wing and blasted a shot past Vesa Toskala (yes, Toskala) for his second of the game, the Leafs were trailing 4-2.
It was that kind of night and it is careening towards that kind of season for the Leafs, who ultimately fell 5-2 for a third consecutive defeat.
Effort and domination matter little when you get behind 2-0, as the Leafs have done on nine occasions already.
This time, the game wasn't even two minutes old, though, and with Miikka Kiprusoff standing on his head in the Calgary net, it was as good as over before it had started.
"We're making it tough for ourselves," Nik Hagman said. "We have to turn it around, otherwise it's going to be a tough, tough year."
With 15 losses in 18 tries and a miserable 1-6-2 record at home, most would suggest it already is.
Despite dominating at times, the Leafs were let down by one of their steadiest hands.
Starting goaltender Jonas Gustavsson got the hook for the first time in his brief NHL career when Dustin Boyd's backhander at 9:54 of the first handcuffed him to give the Flames a 3-1 lead.
While Kiprusoff was stunning, allowing Iginla to get open ice and clear shots for two bullet goals was equally lethal.
"The were embarrassed (with the early deficit) and they responded very well," Iginla said. "Luckily Kipper was there for us."
The Monster? Not so much. After allowing three goals on his first five shots, the rookie Swede has surrendered seven goals in his past 35.
Once again, though, it was the early crater and a lack of offence that did the Leafs in. The team has given up the first goal in 16 of 18 games now.
"It's very frustrating when you get that kind of effort and only score two goals," Leafs coach Ron Wilson said. "We are struggling to score. Five-on-five we can't generate enough offence."
Ain't that the truth. Of the 45 goals the Leafs have scored, only 25 have been even strength.
The addition of Phil Kessel has been a help -- his assist on Matt Stajan's goal last night pushed his points streak to five games -- but it isn't enough.
"The main thing is the starts of games, that's what kills us," Leafs defenceman Tomas Kaberle said. "We've only won three games and that's the bottom line.
"Maybe we have to start thinking it's the second period all the time."
ROB.LONGLEY@SUNMEDIA.CA
