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The Maple Leafs will today be hoping and praying that desperation is a powerful enough motivator to secure victory against a visiting Rangers team tomorrow night. Their sixth defeat in a row came earlier this week and they now stand last in the NHL standings with a record that makes for depressing reading for Toronto fans: 0-5-1. The players look lost, low on confidence, and desperate not just for a victory, but for a strong, solid performance as well.

The home fans need to see these two components as much as the players; the atmosphere at the Air Canada Centre has been anything but supportive during recent weeks. The word from the top in Toronto is that faith is being kept with the players and blame is not being attributed anywhere in particular. However, there is a definite sense that this weekend could mark a turning point for the Leafs; they won't be in action again after tomorrow for another week. Whether this change in direction is positive or negative remains very much to be seen but the task ahead looks tough.

The New York Rangers are the team standing between Toronto and the chance that the players desperately need to relax, even for a few days, and ease the weight on their shoulders even by the smallest measure. Nobody can doubt that the Rangers will be difficult to get past; they'll enter this clash after securing six consecutive victories. New York are currently tied with the Penguins, who are also the only team that has managed to get past this side so far this season.

Vinny Prospal notched up his 200th career NHL goal as the Rangers secured a comfortable 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Kings last time out. He may be quietly confident of notching up a few more goals this weekend, since Toronto have allowed a shocking total of 28 goals against in just six clashes.

The prospect of facing Prospal, let alone Marian Gaborik, who was also impressive for New York in their last game, will either cause the Toronto players further anxiety or provide them with additional motivation. If there is any clash in which to prove themselves, surely this is it.

Keep an eye on the odds as this vital clash approaches, since better value will undoubtedly be found closer to game time.