TORONTO – Its been a black hole in Toronto since the second NHL lockout ended, save for one fleeting bright spot last season. Pat Tillman Jersey . Second-best in 2013, the Maple Leafs penalty kill has tumbled right back to the bottom of the NHL this season, second-worst in a league of 30 teams. Since the beginning of November, the unit boasts a very unflattering 73 per cent success rate, yielding 13 goals alone in the past 15 games. No team, in fact, has allowed more power play goals this season (43). "The biggest negative is were giving up too many goals," said head coach Randy Carlyle of the beleaguered penalty kill. "Thats an area we definitely have got to improve on to give ourselves a better chance [to win]. You cant and we do not believe that you can give up a power play goal to the opposition every game and have success." Success a year ago, in which they killed off an impressive 87.9 per cent in the lockout-shortened 48-game campaign, was a true rarity. In the seven seasons between the last two lockouts – from 05-06 to 11-12 – the Leafs never had a penalty kill finish higher than even 24th overall – sitting 24th, 27th, 29th, 30th, 30th, 28th, and 28th. And yet despite employing most of the same personnel as last season – with Jay McClement, Nik Kulemin, Carl Gunnarsson and Dion Phaneuf absorbing the bulk of minutes (new Leaf Tim Gleason proving an added resource) – the results, oddly, have not followed. In their most recent failing, the Leaf penalty kill allowed a pair of power play goals in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Jets – the eighth time theyve allowed two or more in a game in the past 40 outings. "If we string together a couple games with a good PK, confidence rises," Gunnarsson said. "If you have a couple bad games where they score 50 per cent on us, that confidence goes down." According to Extraskater.com, an advanced statistics website, the Leafs are allowing the most shots in the league on the penalty kill per 60 minutes (four-on-five situations), nearly 50 per cent more, in fact, than they did last season. The goaltending, while not quite at the superb level of a year ago – when they held the second-best save percentage in four-on-five situations – has remained just about average (12th best) despite the increased workload. One obvious drop-off from last season is the faceoff circle, specifically with Tyler Bozak, the teams primary faceoff employee. Bozak, who is used almost exclusively for the draw before darting off in favour of Kulemin, has won a scant 36 per cent of his shorthanded faceoffs this season (34-96), down from a stellar 53 per cent mark in 2013. McClement, a 50 per cent marksman last season, is down only slightly at 47 per cent. Losing more faceoffs, quite simply, means more time spent in-zone defending which results in fatigue, more shots against and thus, more goals for the opposition. "It seems like if we have six minutes [shorthanded] a night, were doing a good job for five and a half [of those minutes]," said McClement, "and then we dont get a puck down [the ice] and we have tired legs and its hard for us to kill the way were supposed to kill with tired legs." Though the group believes it has upped the requisite aggressiveness of last season in recent days, theyve often found themselves burned by a simple mistake, such as a failed read or clear. Against the Jets for instance, it was an inability to pick up a hot-charging Blake Wheeler on the first goal, a failure to intercept Tobias Enstroms point-pass to an unchecked Bryan Little in the slot on the second. "It feels like were doing some good things," McClement said. "Were pressuring better and pressuring smarter in the right situations, its just those little tiny breakdowns that are costing us goals." Countering the woes of the Toronto penalty kill has been an exceptional power play, one that ranks amongst the top five in the NHL this season. "Were aware of where our penalty kill is at and were aware that we have to be better on it," said Phaneuf. "We have let it slide and thats our job to get it back." Hakeem Butler Cardinals Jersey . There were no real chances until Augsburg broke the deadlock through Raul Bobadilla in the 33rd minute. Frankfurt failed to clear a cross and Bobadilla slotted home from close range at the far post. Zach Allen Youth Jersey . More importantly, he is trying to show his young teammates the Colorado are still post-season contenders. He hopes winning a series at home was a fresh start. http://www.thecardinalsshoponline.com/kyler-murray-cardinals-jersey-yp/ . TSN Hockey Insiders Pierre LeBrun and Bob McKenzie both reported Thursday that there have been ongoing trade discussions between the Oilers and Los Angeles Kings over forward Sam Gagner. VANCOUVER -- The Vancouver Whitecaps couldnt stop Landon Donovan when they needed to Saturday night. Donovans goal in just the third minute gave the Los Angeles Galaxy a 1-0 win over the Whitecaps before a disappointed sellout crowd of 21,000 at B.C. Place Stadium. The marker came on his only shot of the game, which was also L.A.s only attempt on target. The Whitecaps made a strong second-half rally, but could not get the equalizer after being denied on two back-to-back chances. "It was obviously a bad start, the worst start you could have got, with the goal so early," said Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie. "That was disappointing. "But after that, I thought that we played well. We got forward and created a number of good chances." The Galaxy (12-9-4) posted their fifth straight victory and secured sole possession of second place in the tight Western Conference. The Whitecaps (10-9-6) suffered their second consecutive loss as their hold on the fifth and final playoff berth became more tenuous. "You end up on the wrong end of a 1-0 (loss), but I dont feel like we played badly tonight," said Rennie. "I feel like L.A.s probably the best team in MLS. Whether thats the case or not remains to be seen, but thats my opinion." The Whitecaps suffered just their second loss in 13 games at home this season. "Thats the type of game that champions win," said Donovan. "We know when the playoffs come, hopefully, thats what games might look like. That was a huge performance today." Donovan scored his fourth goal in three games after A.J. DeLaGarzas pass hit Whitecaps central defender Johnny Leveron and came to him. The Galaxy captain planted a high shot in the left corner of the net over Whitecaps goalkeeper David Ousted. "It helps a lot when youre on the road," said Donovan of the early goal. "It puts your team in a really good position, and even if they score a goal, youre back where you started, so its a nice way to start a game. "We can play a little more cautiously and just worry about defending and trying to counter -- and it really played to our advantage tonight." Donovan needs four more goals to become the all-time leading scorer in MLS history. L.A. goalkeeper Jaime Penedo recorded his first MLS shutout in only his second career league appearance and third overall appearance with the Galaxy. Usually, prolific offensively at home, Vancouvers offence struggled most of the first half and missed striker Camilo, who entered the game tied for the MLS scoring lead with 14 goals. He spent the game on the bench after determining he could not play due to a slight groin strain sustained last weekend against Colorado. "So that was disappointing," said Rennie. "And, obviously, in a game like that today that was really tight, a player like Camilo is someone who could make a difference and could perhaps get us a goal." The sit ended Camilos string of 17 consecutive starts in league games dating to April 27. Rennie said the club did not waant to risk further injury by putting him in, and expects him to be back soon. Adrian Wilson Jersey. Darren Mattocks, who recently returned from a knee injury that required minor surgery, started in his place. It was the Jamaican internationals first start since the last meeting between L.A. and Vancouver at B.C. Place on May 11, when he scored. But he did not do much, rarely touching the ball before subbing out in the second half. Meanwhile, central defender Andy OBrien started his first game since suffering a hamstring injury June 8 in Seattle. Vancouvers revised back line was victimized early as Donovan opened the scoring from about 20 yards out. L.A. ultimately clinched the win after the Whitecaps were denied on back-to-back chances in the 82nd minute. Second-half substitute Kekuta Manneh hit the post in a sequence following a Vancouver corner-kick. Then L.A. goalkeeper Penedo, who signed with the Galaxy after starring for Panama at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, dove back the other way and made a miraculous save on Jordan Harveys shot off the rebound. "To get back like that for a huge save was unbelievable," added L.A. midfielder Robbie Keane. "Thats a world-class save." Mannehs insertion after halftime ignited Vancouvers dormant offence. The Whitecaps finished with 12 attempts on goal -- nine on target -- during their second-half rally. L.A. had nine attempts on goal, but only two in the second half. Penedo recorded five saves, including four in the second half while Vancouver counterpart Ousted did not get credit for a single stop. "It was a grind-out road victory, one that we havent had all year, so it was good to get one," said L.A. coach Bruce Arena. Donovan, who is playing in the final year of his contract, took exception to Rennies comment Friday that the American star is extra-motivated as he seeks a new deal. "Ive been motivated my whole life, and I think people are quick to forget what people have done," said Donovan. "Were back-to-back MLS champions. I scored the game-winning goal in both games, so I think Im pretty motivated." Notes: Keane and Donovan criticized the quality of the B.C. Place Stadium artificial turf which, barring a change, is slated for use in the 2015 Womens World Cup. ... Whitecaps captain Jay DeMerit, close to returning from a torn Achilles tendon suffered early in the first game of the season, did not dress. He could get a game with Vancouvers reserve squad before returning to MLS action. DeMerit, a 33-year-old Green Bay, Wisc., native, is scheduled to marry Canadian 2010 ski cross gold medallist Ashleigh McIvor in Whistler, B.C., on Sunday. ... Like the Whitecaps, the Galaxy has started three different goalkeepers this season. Its the third consecutive season that L.A. has deployed three goalkeepers. Colorado, Real Salt Lake and Seattle have also given three different goalkeepers starting assignments. ... Whitecaps midfielder Matt Watson, usually a substitute, made his first start since July 3 against Kansas City before subbing out for Manneh. ' ' '