Yesterday's Leafs game was one frustrating game. All their passes were a little off and hit skates instead of sticks and they couldn't muscle the puck into the net. Now the Leafs are 4-5-1 in their last 10 games. Yikes. You can't pin the blame on Frederic Andersen, the goals he let in during this "slump" were mostly tip ins or laser beams. The defence HAS to step up if we have any hopes of making the playoffs and the offence HAS to be more clutch than this.
Fast forward to the possible future and they make it to the playoffs. The Stanley Cup playoffs are a totally different animal. They are physical, emotional games and require all your intensity. With a team filled with first years, how are they going to react to this kind of workload? If they can't hold on to a multi-goal lead, how are they going to play in the intense 1 goal games that are the playoffs?
We are 54 games into the season and if we want any chance of making and being competitive in the playoffs, we have to be ready to compete every night.
Sunday, 12 February 2017
Monday, 6 February 2017
Then vs. Now, what's different with the Leafs?
By now you've probably heard all the talk about the Maple Leafs finally being a Cup contender since 2013. That game 7 was almost 4 years ago and it's still a touchy subject.
It's 2017 and the Maple Leafs have made some drastic changes to their team. Here's a comparison between the 2013 Leafs and the 2017 Leafs.
2013 2017
Forwards Forwards
Tyler Bozak Zach Hyman
Mike Brown Auston Matthews
Mikhail Grabovski Connor Brown
Nazem Kadri James van Riemsdyk
Phil Kessel Tyler Bozak
Leo Komarov Mitch Marner
Nikolai Kulemin Leo Komarov
Joffrey Lupul Nazem Kadri
Clarke McCarthur i William Nylander
Jay McClement Matt Martin
Colton Orr Ben Smith
David Steckel Nikita Soshnikov
James Van Riemsdyk
Defence Defence
Cody Franson Morgan Rielly
Mark Fraser Nikita Zaitsev
Jake Gardiner Jake Gardiner
Carl Gunnarson Connor Carrick
Korbinian Holzer Roman Polak
Mike Komisarek Matt Hunwick
Mike Kostika Martin Marincin
John-Michael Liles
Dion Phaneuf
Goalies Goalies
James Reimer Frederic Andersen
Ben Scrivens Curtis McElhinney
Our team has gotten younger and way more talented. Look at the line improvements. As of now, we have 3 superstar worthy rookies playing on DIFFERENT lines and that can be changed in a heartbeat if Mike Babcock needs some quick offence.
The game against Boston where he put Matthews, Kadri, and Nylander on the same line was a perfect example of how dangerous the line combinations can be. Imagine a line with Marner, Matthews, and Nylander. THAT LINE COULD WREAK HAVOC for the other team. The fact that we can continue to win with these rookies on different lines just shows you the amount of depth this team has offensively. We certainly cannot leave out Brown, Hyman, and Soshnikov. These players are the ones who fight tooth and nail to get the puck and once they get it, they won't give it back and they compliment their centres perfectly.
4 years ago, if the JVR, Kessel, and Bozak line couldn't score, we would lose. But now, each line gets hot on different nights and spread the wealth.
Enough about the rookies.
How about the revitalized veterans?
There are 6 players (including Joffrey Lupul) who were on this team in 2013. Oh, how they have changed their image. Bozak is one of the best face off guys in the league, James van Riemsdyk is on a career goal pace, Nazem Kadri is in the conversation for a Selke, Leo Komarov continues to antagonize, and Jake Gardiner is now a veteran presence at the ripe age of 26. These players are the ones who are meant to guide the rookies but they still want to be recognized as valuable pieces to this team.
And they sure are.
It's 2017 and the Maple Leafs have made some drastic changes to their team. Here's a comparison between the 2013 Leafs and the 2017 Leafs.
2013 2017
Forwards Forwards
Tyler Bozak Zach Hyman
Mike Brown Auston Matthews
Mikhail Grabovski Connor Brown
Nazem Kadri James van Riemsdyk
Phil Kessel Tyler Bozak
Leo Komarov Mitch Marner
Nikolai Kulemin Leo Komarov
Joffrey Lupul Nazem Kadri
Clarke McCarthur i William Nylander
Jay McClement Matt Martin
Colton Orr Ben Smith
David Steckel Nikita Soshnikov
James Van Riemsdyk
Defence Defence
Cody Franson Morgan Rielly
Mark Fraser Nikita Zaitsev
Jake Gardiner Jake Gardiner
Carl Gunnarson Connor Carrick
Korbinian Holzer Roman Polak
Mike Komisarek Matt Hunwick
Mike Kostika Martin Marincin
John-Michael Liles
Dion Phaneuf
Goalies Goalies
James Reimer Frederic Andersen
Ben Scrivens Curtis McElhinney
Our team has gotten younger and way more talented. Look at the line improvements. As of now, we have 3 superstar worthy rookies playing on DIFFERENT lines and that can be changed in a heartbeat if Mike Babcock needs some quick offence.
The game against Boston where he put Matthews, Kadri, and Nylander on the same line was a perfect example of how dangerous the line combinations can be. Imagine a line with Marner, Matthews, and Nylander. THAT LINE COULD WREAK HAVOC for the other team. The fact that we can continue to win with these rookies on different lines just shows you the amount of depth this team has offensively. We certainly cannot leave out Brown, Hyman, and Soshnikov. These players are the ones who fight tooth and nail to get the puck and once they get it, they won't give it back and they compliment their centres perfectly.
4 years ago, if the JVR, Kessel, and Bozak line couldn't score, we would lose. But now, each line gets hot on different nights and spread the wealth.
Enough about the rookies.
How about the revitalized veterans?
There are 6 players (including Joffrey Lupul) who were on this team in 2013. Oh, how they have changed their image. Bozak is one of the best face off guys in the league, James van Riemsdyk is on a career goal pace, Nazem Kadri is in the conversation for a Selke, Leo Komarov continues to antagonize, and Jake Gardiner is now a veteran presence at the ripe age of 26. These players are the ones who are meant to guide the rookies but they still want to be recognized as valuable pieces to this team.
And they sure are.
Thursday, 26 January 2017
Do the Leafs' Defense Suck?
The Leafs defensive pairings if Morgan Rielly played would be as follows:
People like to talk crap about Hunwick and Polak but they kill penalties and they are on the third line. All they have to do is shut down the opponents and not let in a goal.
Fast forward to next year.
With Andrew Nielsen coming up. With Hunwick and Polak becoming UFA's next season, next year's defense core might look something like this:
Rielly Zaitsev
Gardiner Carrick
Hunwick Polak
That's pretty freaking solid to me.People like to talk crap about Hunwick and Polak but they kill penalties and they are on the third line. All they have to do is shut down the opponents and not let in a goal.
Fast forward to next year.
With Andrew Nielsen coming up. With Hunwick and Polak becoming UFA's next season, next year's defense core might look something like this:
Rielly Zaitsev
Gardiner Nielsen
Carrick Corrado?
That looks even better. A bunch of young, offensive minded defensemen are perfect. And with the offence this team is providing and the steady backbone Andersen is, we just need mediocre defense and that core looks pretty strong to me.Sunday, 15 January 2017
New Year New Leafs
I haven't posted in a while but man these past 2 weeks of Maple Leafs hockey has been magical. The Centennial Classic, trading Jhonas Enroth, they are scoring like maniacs, it's just been a great time. Let's recap shall we?
CENTENNIAL CLASSIC
You could not have possibly better script this game. The Leafs blow another 4-1 lead with less than 7 minutes left. Sound familiar? The past Leafs did the same thing 3 years ago and them blowing the lead represented the last 50 years of pure failure.
But what is the Centennial Classic celebrating? It's not just celebrating the last 100 years of hockey, but also the next 100 years. The fact that the Maple Leafs' future, Auston Matthews, saves the team from past mistakes is so magical and emotional. Now just imagine the Stanley Cup finals.
FINALLY! SEE YA NEVER ENROTH!
The Leafs send Jhonas Enroth to the Ducks for a 2018 7th round pick and pick up Curtis McElhinney off waivers. With Andersen playing the way he is, all we needed was an average goaltender. Enroth just couldn't save a puck for his life. McElhinney won his first game as a Maple Leaf and it was great seeing a Leafs goalie not give up more than 2 goals.
The way McElhinney saves pucks gives me anxiety. He scrambles everywhere but as long as he gets the job done, I will manage.
THE LEAFS CAN SCORE
With Bozak scoring his 10th goal of the season last night, the Leafs have 6 players on their team and one with 20+ (can you guess who?). The last year Leafs had 6 players with 10+ goals the ENTIRE SEASON. That's insane. These rookies really made a huge difference and if we can get average defense and goaltending, playoffs here we come!
CENTENNIAL CLASSIC
You could not have possibly better script this game. The Leafs blow another 4-1 lead with less than 7 minutes left. Sound familiar? The past Leafs did the same thing 3 years ago and them blowing the lead represented the last 50 years of pure failure.
But what is the Centennial Classic celebrating? It's not just celebrating the last 100 years of hockey, but also the next 100 years. The fact that the Maple Leafs' future, Auston Matthews, saves the team from past mistakes is so magical and emotional. Now just imagine the Stanley Cup finals.
FINALLY! SEE YA NEVER ENROTH!
The Leafs send Jhonas Enroth to the Ducks for a 2018 7th round pick and pick up Curtis McElhinney off waivers. With Andersen playing the way he is, all we needed was an average goaltender. Enroth just couldn't save a puck for his life. McElhinney won his first game as a Maple Leaf and it was great seeing a Leafs goalie not give up more than 2 goals.
The way McElhinney saves pucks gives me anxiety. He scrambles everywhere but as long as he gets the job done, I will manage.
THE LEAFS CAN SCORE
With Bozak scoring his 10th goal of the season last night, the Leafs have 6 players on their team and one with 20+ (can you guess who?). The last year Leafs had 6 players with 10+ goals the ENTIRE SEASON. That's insane. These rookies really made a huge difference and if we can get average defense and goaltending, playoffs here we come!
Friday, 30 December 2016
2016 for the Blue Jays
For the Blue Jays, 2016 was a crazy one. Let's divide them up in parts so that you know what I mean.
January-March
The Blue Jays sign Drew Storen, Jesse Chavez, and J.A. Happ. The internet exploded on the debate on who the closer should be, Roberto Osuna or Drew Storen? WOW, hindsight really makes this debate seem lousy, huh?
April-August
Chris Colabello is suspended, Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney pitch in the same game, Marcus Stroman to the minors? #votecaptaincanada, Aaron Sanchez's pitching limit, Marco Estrada the new ace? Jason Grilli and Joaquin Benoit are on fire! Josh Donaldson hat trick!!! Playoffs here we come!
September
We might not make it to the playoffs. This offence is due any day now...
October
EDWIN YOU ARE OUR SAVIOUR, get the brooms out thanks to the Donaldson Dash! "I'd rather be punched in May than knocked out in October", the offence is back baby! Where did the offence go?
November-December
Yay we got Kenrys Morales? Bye bye Cecil and Edwin.
As you can tell, 2016 was one emotional year for the Blue Jays, but one that we will never forget.
January-March
The Blue Jays sign Drew Storen, Jesse Chavez, and J.A. Happ. The internet exploded on the debate on who the closer should be, Roberto Osuna or Drew Storen? WOW, hindsight really makes this debate seem lousy, huh?
April-August
Chris Colabello is suspended, Ryan Goins and Darwin Barney pitch in the same game, Marcus Stroman to the minors? #votecaptaincanada, Aaron Sanchez's pitching limit, Marco Estrada the new ace? Jason Grilli and Joaquin Benoit are on fire! Josh Donaldson hat trick!!! Playoffs here we come!
September
We might not make it to the playoffs. This offence is due any day now...
October
EDWIN YOU ARE OUR SAVIOUR, get the brooms out thanks to the Donaldson Dash! "I'd rather be punched in May than knocked out in October", the offence is back baby! Where did the offence go?
November-December
Yay we got Kenrys Morales? Bye bye Cecil and Edwin.
As you can tell, 2016 was one emotional year for the Blue Jays, but one that we will never forget.
2016 for the Maple Leafs
When the Auston Matthews hoists the Stanley Cup, which year will be the one that triggered this? 2016. This year was seperated into 2 parts. January-August and September-December. January-August was one hell of a ride. We finished 30th in the league, won the lottery, drafted Auston Matthews, signed Frederic Andersen, resigned Rielly and Kadri, changed our freaking logo, and so much more.
Those months were the building blocks that made September-December so great. We saw Auston Matthews on a line with CONNOR MCJESUS in the World Cup, we saw him score 4 goals in one game, Mitch Marner showed us that he belongs in the NHL for good, Nikita Zaitsev became a wonderful surprise, Zach Hyman and Nikita Soshnikov showed us what a "dog on raw meat" really means, and our specialty units improved drastically.
2016 is going to be forever remembered by Leafs Nation as the year we finally saw hope.
Those months were the building blocks that made September-December so great. We saw Auston Matthews on a line with CONNOR MCJESUS in the World Cup, we saw him score 4 goals in one game, Mitch Marner showed us that he belongs in the NHL for good, Nikita Zaitsev became a wonderful surprise, Zach Hyman and Nikita Soshnikov showed us what a "dog on raw meat" really means, and our specialty units improved drastically.
2016 is going to be forever remembered by Leafs Nation as the year we finally saw hope.
Tuesday, 20 December 2016
The Auston Matthews Dilema
Yesterday Auston Matthews scored his 15th goal of the season making him the goal leader of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Sadly, we lost. Watching the game, I couldn't help but notice that it seemed like everytime Matthews' scores, we lose. I did a bit of research and the stats I found were shocking.
Auston Matthews scored in 11 games this season. Of those 11 games, we won 2. That means that we only win 18% of the games he scores in. THAT'S HORRENDOUS. Even the game where he had a 4 goal game wasn't enough to bring a victory to the team. Compare that to Mitch Marner's numbers. He scored in 7 games, and of those 7, we won 6 of them. that's 86%.
Now ask yourself why? Well let's see if it's because of the teams they played.
Auston Matthews scored against:
Auston Matthews scored in 11 games this season. Of those 11 games, we won 2. That means that we only win 18% of the games he scores in. THAT'S HORRENDOUS. Even the game where he had a 4 goal game wasn't enough to bring a victory to the team. Compare that to Mitch Marner's numbers. He scored in 7 games, and of those 7, we won 6 of them. that's 86%.
Now ask yourself why? Well let's see if it's because of the teams they played.
Auston Matthews scored against:
- Ottawa (Andersen)
- Tampa Bay (Bishop)
- New Jersey (Schneider)
- Washington (Holtby)
- Edmonton (Talbot)
- Vancouver (Miller)
- Boston (Rask)
- San Jose (Jones)
- Arizona (Smith)
Mitch Marner scored against:
- Boston (Rask)
- Buffalo (Nilsson)
- Vancouver (Miller)
- Philadelphia (Mason)
- Nashville (Rinne)
- Florida (Luongo)
- Arizona (Smith)
It obviously isn't the goalie situation because both of them score against elite goalies so what is it? What makes Auston Matthews so unlucky?
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