The Toronto Maple Leafs play before the Olympic break was making believers out of the most hardened skeptics. But then, when everyone came back, has reality ever stepped in!
Finally, a win over the Rangers last night stopped the bleeding. But, did you see those two shorthanded goals? Ouch!
Their loss to Columbus three days ago wasn't too bad. But with that, Toronto were winless in three games. For a while, it even looked like they'd fail to score a goal. There were chances a-plenty, loose pucks a-plenty (including one of the goal line). They were only outshot 33-29. But, just as a win is a win, a loss is a loss!
In the loss to the New York Islanders, the Leafs started strong, scoring the game's first goal. But then, the Leafs fell flat the rest of the first period, surrendering two short-handed goals (Hmmm, must be something about New York and shorthanded goals against. See the common denominator). A pretty good third period got them the point, but a loss in overtime stopped Toronto from getting two.
Against Montreal last Saturday, the Leafs started out slow, surrendering the game's first two goals in the first period. A goal late in the frame cut the margin to just one goal. And the Leafs deserve credit for tying it and sending it to overtime. But the Leafs lost the game there. And you'd have to be blind not to notice the obvious: Did Toronto not take far too many needless penalties?
Amazingly enough, despite getting no points in the loss to Columbus last night, I was actually impressed with the Leafs. But what I didn't see was the second period. That's where they lost the game. Toronto was outscored 2-0 and outshot 12-5. The third period was an improvement, as the Buds tallied the only goal, and were only outshot 13-12. The first period, which ended in a scoreless deadlock, saw Toronto outshoot the Blue Jackets 12-8. The Leafs need to do that more.
And they need more efforts like the one James Reimer had last night. Here was someone who stood on his head and gave the Leafs every chance to win. Did you see that sequence in the third? Was that not four saves while sprawled on the ground? Wouldn't that have made it 3-0, and taken Toronto out of the equation for an offence they mounted later?
Reimer, though needs to do that more often. Notice how he's sort of the Bret Saberhagen of hockey? Good on seasons that are odd numbered (or ending in odd numbers) then very inconsistent in seasons that have end in even numbers. You know, like the number 14 in the year 2014?
But why am I picking on Reimer, when it's really the guys in front of him to blame? Did I not mention how the Leafs don't need pyramids to be great this year. With Jonathan Bernier playing so great...
...Oh wait, here come the skeptics telling me who Jonathan was traded for. Oh, that guy who's leading the league in S% right now!
The other problem is Toronto really on has one line going for them. If they are going to get back to where they were, the need to have a more balanced attack. And they also need a more balanced defence. I couldn't help but think, when Reimer was making save, save, save, and save, "Now where are the other five Leafs to stop all these rebounds?" I know, your thought exactly. Cody Franson and Dion Phaneuf were both a minus one in that game. They throw five hits each, so the fault does not belong entirely to them. Jake Gardiner was a minus one as well, but he had three shots on goal. I guess, sometimes stats don't explain what the eyes see in a game!
With the win over New York, it was another fine effort by Bernier. You saw Toronto's strengths, there. But clearly, the Leafs' defence needs to play better. Reimer needs to be better. The power play has to be better. How many times have you heard about a team that needs to defend better when on the power play? What lead would be save with that kind of deficiency?
All of the above makes me wonder how good the Leafs overall goaltending and defence really are. And what former Leafs goalie is leading the NHL in S%?
Oh wait, I already brought that up!
Finally, a win over the Rangers last night stopped the bleeding. But, did you see those two shorthanded goals? Ouch!
Their loss to Columbus three days ago wasn't too bad. But with that, Toronto were winless in three games. For a while, it even looked like they'd fail to score a goal. There were chances a-plenty, loose pucks a-plenty (including one of the goal line). They were only outshot 33-29. But, just as a win is a win, a loss is a loss!
In the loss to the New York Islanders, the Leafs started strong, scoring the game's first goal. But then, the Leafs fell flat the rest of the first period, surrendering two short-handed goals (Hmmm, must be something about New York and shorthanded goals against. See the common denominator). A pretty good third period got them the point, but a loss in overtime stopped Toronto from getting two.
Against Montreal last Saturday, the Leafs started out slow, surrendering the game's first two goals in the first period. A goal late in the frame cut the margin to just one goal. And the Leafs deserve credit for tying it and sending it to overtime. But the Leafs lost the game there. And you'd have to be blind not to notice the obvious: Did Toronto not take far too many needless penalties?
Amazingly enough, despite getting no points in the loss to Columbus last night, I was actually impressed with the Leafs. But what I didn't see was the second period. That's where they lost the game. Toronto was outscored 2-0 and outshot 12-5. The third period was an improvement, as the Buds tallied the only goal, and were only outshot 13-12. The first period, which ended in a scoreless deadlock, saw Toronto outshoot the Blue Jackets 12-8. The Leafs need to do that more.
And they need more efforts like the one James Reimer had last night. Here was someone who stood on his head and gave the Leafs every chance to win. Did you see that sequence in the third? Was that not four saves while sprawled on the ground? Wouldn't that have made it 3-0, and taken Toronto out of the equation for an offence they mounted later?
Reimer, though needs to do that more often. Notice how he's sort of the Bret Saberhagen of hockey? Good on seasons that are odd numbered (or ending in odd numbers) then very inconsistent in seasons that have end in even numbers. You know, like the number 14 in the year 2014?
But why am I picking on Reimer, when it's really the guys in front of him to blame? Did I not mention how the Leafs don't need pyramids to be great this year. With Jonathan Bernier playing so great...
...Oh wait, here come the skeptics telling me who Jonathan was traded for. Oh, that guy who's leading the league in S% right now!
The other problem is Toronto really on has one line going for them. If they are going to get back to where they were, the need to have a more balanced attack. And they also need a more balanced defence. I couldn't help but think, when Reimer was making save, save, save, and save, "Now where are the other five Leafs to stop all these rebounds?" I know, your thought exactly. Cody Franson and Dion Phaneuf were both a minus one in that game. They throw five hits each, so the fault does not belong entirely to them. Jake Gardiner was a minus one as well, but he had three shots on goal. I guess, sometimes stats don't explain what the eyes see in a game!
With the win over New York, it was another fine effort by Bernier. You saw Toronto's strengths, there. But clearly, the Leafs' defence needs to play better. Reimer needs to be better. The power play has to be better. How many times have you heard about a team that needs to defend better when on the power play? What lead would be save with that kind of deficiency?
All of the above makes me wonder how good the Leafs overall goaltending and defence really are. And what former Leafs goalie is leading the NHL in S%?
Oh wait, I already brought that up!
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