Loss to Maple Leafs a case of two steps forward one step back for Red Wings

November 8, 1:46 PMDetroit Red Wings ExaminerMike Mouat

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From left, NHL Hall of Fame inductees Brian Leetch, Brett Hull, Steve Yzerman, Luc Robitaille and Lou Lamoriello take part in a pregame ceremony before the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Detroit Red Wings in an NHL hockey game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Toronto. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

Just when it looked as though the Detroit Red Wings were turning the corner from an inconsistent start, they take a step back in a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Red Wings looked extremely good in wins over the Boston Bruins (2-0) and the San Jose Sharks (2-1) earlier in the week.

Both games were considered measuring stick games as the Bruins were the best team in the Eastern Conference last season and the Sharks were the Western Conference champions last season, and were on a six-game winning streak.  

For more on the Wings win over San Jose check out Ansar Khan's report from mlive.com at: Chris Osgood and Red Wings edge Sharks, 2-1, in shootout. And for a post game wrap-up from the Bruins game click here: Osgood, Red Wings shutout Bruins 2-0

Saturday night was Hall of Fame Night in Toronto and former Red Wings Steve Yzerman, Brett Hull and Luc Robitaille as well as Brian Leetch and Lou Lamoriello were the guests of honor as this year's inductees.

The Red Wings could have used all three forwards in their lineup as Maple Leafs rookie goalie Jonas Gustavsson turned aside 35 of 36 shots, and was particularly sharp when the Red Wings were on the powerplay.

Dan Cleary scored the lone Detroit goal, his 100th in the NHL, on a breakaway beating Gustavsson with a perfectly placed shot off the post.

Maple Leafs goals were scored by Wayne Primeau and Phil Kessel, their firsts as Maple Leafs, Jeff Finger, John Mitchell and Alexei Ponikarovski.

The Leafs got off to a slow start this season, and the Red Wings may have taken them lightly, but  with the win on Saturday the Leafs are 14th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 3-7-5, however, they are 3-0-4 in their last seven games.

Further bad news for the Red Wings in regards to injuries as Jason Williams will be out of the lineup for an extended period of time witha broken leg suffered in a collisions along the boards behind the net.

Be sure to check out the slide show for the highlights from Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre.