Just days away from kickoff, Rod Smith joined TSN 1050 to break down some of the top storylines heading into the 2014 CFL season and his new role as the host of the CFL on TSN. Stitched Football Jerseys Throwback . Smith weighed in on a number of topics including Mike OShea facing his former team on Thursday night, Ricky Ray playing a full season, the return of the CFL to Ottawa, the Montreal Alouttes beginning the post-Anthony Calvillo era, and the favourites in the East and West. Re-assuming a role he previously held in 1997, Smith said the transition will be a natural one given his close relationship and familiarity with the current panelists. “Im really excited about it, those guys (Matt Dunigan, Chris Schultz and Jock Climie) are great to work with," Smith said. "It seemed like a natural fit." Rod Smith: CFL on TSN host, season preview Discount Football Jerseys Throwback . Spezza scored a power-play goal with 5 minutes left and Stephane Da Costa had the other two goals to lead the Ottawa Senators to a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night. Custom Football Jerseys Throwback .com) - The Atlanta Hawks have stepped up to every challenge during their 14-game winning streak and will face another daunting task Friday with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder in town. http://www.cheapfootballthrowback.com/ .The Hamilton Tiger-Cat defensive back always has the required receipt. But he also walks around with a tangle of metal screws, rods and plates after breaking his neck in 2006 playing high school football in Louisiana.Its gotten to the point where it might be best for the Toronto Maple Leafs to go on the road for a while. The problem - or one of them anyway - is thats where most of the damage has been done on their meltdown, and their next opponent is playing some of its best hockey of the season. The Philadelphia Flyers try for a season-best fourth straight win Saturday night as the Maple Leafs embark on a three-game road trip with an eight-game skid weighing them down. The losing streak is Torontos longest since last seasons fallout from March 16-29, but the Maple Leafs havent dropped nine straight since 1985-86. Theyve also dropped eight straight on the road, and another would be their longest such single-season skid since also losing nine in the 1996-97 season. Were finding ways not to win, said interim coach Peter Horachek, whose team is 1-10-1 in January. Weve got to find ways to win now. It very clearly begins with scoring. Toronto (22-24-4) has been limited to seven goals on the road skid as well as on its overall 0-7-1 stretch, going 2 for 26 (7.7 percent) on the power play. Six of the eight losses have come by more than a goal. The Maple Leafs blew a third-period lead for the second straight game Thursday in particularly ugly fashion, falling 3-1 to Arizona. Jonathan Bernier allowed the fastest short-handed goal in NHL history to begin a period on a flip from nearly the opposite blue line, drawing the ire of the home crowd five seconds into the third. Its tough to stay in, especially when I thought I was playing pretty good and the fans get on you, Bernier said. It gets frustrating, but Ive got to be stronger mentally and stay in it. He didnt have much help, facing 45 shots and losing his sixth straight sstart. Sale Football Jerseys Throwback. He also allowed every goal in a 7-4 loss Dec. 20 to the Flyers, seeing his goals-against average rise to 4.78 against them - his highest versus any team - with a 2-3-0 career record. James Reimer gets the start tonight. Philadelphia (21-22-7) has won three straight for the fourth time this season, with all three coming to begin a five-game homestand. Chris VandeVelde scored for the fourth time in five games in Thursdays 5-2 victory over Winnipeg. Wayne Simmonds had a goal and an assist to give him goals in consecutive contests after an eight-game drought. Steve Mason continued to shine with 36 saves, going 4-0-0 with a 1.43 goals-against average in his last five appearances. He didnt face the Maple Leafs in the first meeting, but his 3.64 GAA in seven starts against them is his worst versus any opponent. The win over the Jets was his second game back and first start after sitting out six games due to a right knee injury. The injury hasnt been a problem, which is great, Mason said. I thought my game felt sharper than (Tuesdays 4-3 win over Arizona), which is obviously a positive sign as well. The December meeting featured two goals and two assists from Claude Giroux, who has seven points in the Flyers consecutive wins in the series. Toronto points leader Phil Kessel had two assists in the first matchup and scored his first goal in eight games Thursday, but hes been limited to one assist in his last eight road games. Projected Leafs Lines Forwards van Riemsdyk- Bozak - Kessel Lupul- Kadri - Winnik Komarov - Holland - Santorelli Panik - Smith - Clarkson Defence Gardiner - Franson Rielly - Polak Holzer - Granberg Goaltenders Reimer (starts) Bernier ' ' '