Didn't the Oilers win a few Championships based on a team who scored more goals than the other guys? They didn't really care about shots on goal, just score more goals than the other guy. The Leafs went toe to toe with Colorado for their lone loss, now let's wait until they take on the other league leaders, Pittsburg and the unconscious San Jose. will it continue this way, doubt it, but it a hell of a start.
Toronto Maple Leafs 2013/14 Season
- Thread starter Ironhead
- Start date
Love the 6 and 1 but the shots on goal says there is a serious flaw in the way they are playing. Goaltending has been outstanding, but the Leafs need to get the problem fixed and soon!
They were playing without Clarkson , JVR , and one of their best defensive defenseman Mark Fraser .. I think those guys will help the problem . Great goalies will make coaches and GM's look like geniuses .. Is it shots on net or how bad Leafs play at home which is the problem ?
I agree that when they get those 3 back they should improve, however they still have to cut down on the give aways. The amount of time spent in their defensive end needs improvement.
The shots on goal are a recurring problem at home and on the road.
On another note....Kudos to Kessel for not touching that puck going into the empty net. Class act!
WE WILL have the real test this Saturday when the Champs host the Buds in Chicago. Only facing the best team we can see how good or how bad the Leafs truly are.
As far as stats goes, Leafs are worst in give away, then they are 4 th best in take away. Does not matter, we should celebrate theses points, they will be harder and harder to come by later on.
Look out, a long stretch of games against good teams coming up smartly...
As far as stats goes, Leafs are worst in give away, then they are 4 th best in take away. Does not matter, we should celebrate theses points, they will be harder and harder to come by later on.
Look out, a long stretch of games against good teams coming up smartly...
I don't understand all the hand wringing. Now, it's not just good enough to win. Unless the Leafs dominate all the stats along with winning it's a major cause of consternation.
I wonder if the Red Sox fans are upset because Detroit outhit them last night?
What happened to the good old days when fans were just fans and you were happy with a win? Nowadays a fan has to be a coach, a GM, an analyst and a cap specialist. Well, at least in their minds they are. TERB has proved repeatedly that is not the reality.
Chill people. Enjoy the games at face value.
Me fear that winning is masking several weaknesses. Even coach Randy Carlyle(sp) is concerned.
Leaf fans are waiting for the other shoe to drop Shack.
Can't blame them really it's been a long time since they have seen any consistent improvement in this organization.
A quick look a the stats last night and surprise, the Leafs are the only team with four scorers in the top 30. No one guy is scoring, good for when the injuries start to pile up. They are at or near the top in goals scored goals for and against difference. a 6-1 record will do the last, but not the point scoring among the teammates.
LEAFS Win !
Phaneuf 'dropped a pass' to a Minnesota player, I think that player pulled an ARod.
Reimer was good, but regardless, Bernier is the number one. Even if Randy does not admit it.
Raymond is playing well lately. Earlier in the season I saw him let up a couple of times to avoid contact.
Rielly is looking more and more like an NHL defenceman. He still needs to learn though. Yet I am not sure he stays past the nine games.
Ranger is getting better, more comfortable. No way should the Leafs get rid of him.
Carolina tomorrow.
Hawks on Saturday.
Ducks next Tuesday.
Blue Jackets on Thursday the 25th. Clarkson will make his regular season debut.
Going back to Saturday night.
As someone said, if the Oilers find a good goalie ... look out !
Phaneuf 'dropped a pass' to a Minnesota player, I think that player pulled an ARod.
Reimer was good, but regardless, Bernier is the number one. Even if Randy does not admit it.
Raymond is playing well lately. Earlier in the season I saw him let up a couple of times to avoid contact.
Rielly is looking more and more like an NHL defenceman. He still needs to learn though. Yet I am not sure he stays past the nine games.
Ranger is getting better, more comfortable. No way should the Leafs get rid of him.
Carolina tomorrow.
Hawks on Saturday.
Ducks next Tuesday.
Blue Jackets on Thursday the 25th. Clarkson will make his regular season debut.
Going back to Saturday night.
As someone said, if the Oilers find a good goalie ... look out !
Mago you got that right. The Leafs haven't played a tough physical team yet, I'll believe they're for real when they beat Boston, Detroit, San Jose or even St Louis. With Fraser healthy opposition forwards skate, as Danny Gallivan would have said, gingerly to the net.
And how do baseball teams win when they get outhit?
And how do football teams win when the opposing team outgains them? It's amazing how often it happens.
Hockey is a team game which means that even if a team is outskated and outshot, if their goalie plays better it means that the team overall played better. They don't have to outplay the opposition in every single aspect of the game. No other team is perfect either.
I'd be willing to bet that Montreal got outshot in lots of games when they won the cup in Roy's rookie year.
You guys should sit back, open a cold one or five and just enjoy. Let the management worry about the incremental improvements.
This.
I was driving to Toronto yesterday, and TSN1050 had Dave Poulin (Vice President of Hockey Operations) (I think?), might have been Claude Loiselle), on for an interview mid afternoon.
And Poulin's response to a question regarding being outshot, poor statistical numbers was something along the lines of "would you rather the team be 5-1 with poor stats or 0-6 or 1-5 playing otherwise perfect hockey?"
Being outshot is no big deal, not as troubling as being out played at least. So far all seven games have been quite even in terms of scoring chances (except maybe the Colorado game) and the Leafs won mostly because of better goaltending, timely scoring and good fortune. Despite the 6-1 record though, Carlyle has repeatedly pointed out that there are many areas of concern. If the Leafs are to remain competitive when they face the better teams, they have to tighten up the defence and cut down on the turn overs.
