Leafs Easily Take Care Of Panthers

Leafs Lines:
Roberts-Sundin-Mogilny
Ponikarovsky-Nieuwendyk-Antropov
Nolan-Stajan-Wilm
Fitzgerald-Reichel-Perrott

Defence Pairings: McCabe-Leetch, Kaberle-Klee, Berg-Marchment
Goalies: Belfour (w 60:00, 15 SV, 0GA), Kidd (0:00)
Injuries: Belak (knee), Tucker (leg muscle pull)
Healthy scratches: Pilar,Berehowsky, Domi, Renberg, Francis, Kilger, Johansson

TORONTO (AP) -- Ed Belfour made 15 saves for his seventh shutout of the season, and Gary Roberts scored twice as the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Florida Panthers 5-0 Tuesday night.

Belfour recorded his 72nd career shutout, putting him ahead of Harry Lumley for 10th on the NHL career list. Belfour, plagued recently by a sore back, was rarely tested as the Panthers managed just 12 shots throughout the first two periods.

The Maple Leafs didn't acquire a backup goalie before Tuesday's NHL trade deadline despite Belfour's sore back, which has kept him from practicing.

Toronto held Florida in check. (Graig Abel Photography)

Owen Nolan, Matt Stajan and Joe Nieuwendyk also scored for the Maple Leafs, who have won four of five. Ron Francis, acquired from Carolina earlier Tuesday, arrived during the first period and watched the game. He will make his Toronto debut Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The Maple Leafs outshot Florida 42-15.

The offensively challenged Panthers traded leading scorer Valeri Bure on Monday. Florida has won just once in six games (1-4-1).

Nolan's one-timer from in front of the net gave Toronto a 1-0 lead at 5:23 of the first period, and Roberts put a rebound past goalie Steve Shields at 10:52.

Nolan, acquired before last year's trade deadline, made a pass from behind the net to Stajan, who made it 3-0 at 4:48 of the third.

Nieuwendyk scored at 11:31, and Roberts made it 5-0 less than two minutes later.

Fans chanted 'Eddie!, Eddie!' in the final minutes.

Game notes The Maple Leafs have nine players who have been NHL captains, including current leader Mats Sundin. ... Former Washington D Calle Johansson came out of retirement Tuesday and signed with the Maple Leafs. The 37-year-old Johansson retired from the NHL last August. ... Toronto rebounded from a 5-1 loss to Buffalo on Saturday night. ... Florida's Byron Ritchie collapsed to the ice after being checked into the