Not to complain, but still allowing too many shots on goal. Good to see everybody, including Colton Orr, are scoring goals.
Something is really whacky in Leaf land.
On a Saturday night, in the Montreal forum, Colton Orr goes on a rush, he actually looks pretty good, takes a back hand shot, and the defense-man Holzer following the play buries the rebound.
The bench was shocked. The forum crowd was shocked. Even announced Bob Cole was shocked. I know I was shocked. I had to watch the reply to make sure it was these two guys who teamed up for the goal. Unbelievable. Where was this Colton Orr all this time? Then tonight, that's how Lupal would play in front of the net. Their gonna to nickname Orr - Joffery pretty soon.
Some of these Leafs players are playing their best hockey in their career. The kids Kadri and Frattin, 2 points each tonight. Bozak is playing his best hockey. Pheneuf looks like he is playing his best hockey as a Leaf. Franson looks like a regular, should be a top 4 defenseman if he continues to generate points like that. Riemer, until he got hurt, 7 career shut outs, that is surprising.
The biggest surprise on the Leafs this year, is the back end, the defense has improved with the minor league players back there. They say a NHL defense-man does not really mature and come into his own until they are about 27 years old. Seems to be true with these Leafs. Mark Fraser, looks like a 5th or 6th defense-man, steady not flashy, but he was a +5 tonight. Holzer looks better with every game he plays. Kosta is playing the way we hoped Luke Scheen would have played. JVR going around him and scoring that goal, is what we actually remembered how he played.
Even with Bozak playing so well, Cralsyle has to try this later when Lupal returns. Kessel as the center-man, with JVR and Lupal as the wingers. The best two play makers on this team is Kadri and Kessel. If those three are coming at you, with Kessel carrying the puck, they will get a chance on goal. Will Kessel shoot or pass as both big wingers head for the net. How do you stop that if they get going?