Maple Leafs 2018 - 19

[glamphotographer]

They won, despite Gardiner’s gaffs again.

more important, he assisted on the game tying goal.

 

[Insidious Von]

Except for the role reversal and fewer Michiganders coming to our city to party, nothing has changed. Games between the Leafs and the Wings have always been intense. The NHL slapped itself in the nads when they were put in separate conferences. Thankfully that's been corrected.

I'm very fond of Michiganders, they are generous and fun loving. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to go to The Big House for the Winter Classic, the joint was filled! A much needed economic boost for Detroit and Michigan. If you want to have a wild party, go to Grand Bend (north of Sarnia) during the summer. It's Michigan's Wasaga Beach.

 

[bmwquay]

Just curious. It's still pretty early in the season but would Marner be considered a good candidate for the Lady Byng?

As Mogilny said it's an insult to a hockey player. Marner has too many hooking, tripping, and slashing penalties to be in the running. The race that would give him accolades is the assist leader but there's no official award for that. Still it would be quite the accomplishment. He's racking up assists like crazy but still there are 3 ahead of him.

 

[Darts]

Auston Mathews is probably a better bet to win the Lady Byng. He misses too many games to win goal scoring, points or the Hart trophies.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/quick-shifts-leafs-auston-matthews-just-wont-take-penalties/

 

[bmwquay]

Matthews and Tavaras could both top 50 goals this year.

 

[Darts]

Watching the juniors play to-night. Didn't realize they changed the rules on the penalty shot.

I remember a few years a Finn was awarded a penalty shot but he said he was too injured to take the shot. So, the Finnish coach picked his best player to take the shot.

P.S. Looks like there is no mercy rule. Canada leading 11-0. Still 9 minutes left to play.

 

[Ref]

Watching the juniors play to-night. Didn't realize they changed the rules on the penalty shot.

I remember a few years a Finn was awarded a penalty shot but he said he was too injured to take the shot. So, the Finnish coach picked his best player to take the shot.

P.S. Looks like there is no mercy rule. Canada leading 11-0. Still 9 minutes left to play.

I watched some of the game due to tradition and boredom. Too bad they do not put a mercy rule in place such as a 10 goal variance, etc. From what I understand goal differential may come into play in the event of a tie-breaker so it forces the dominant team to continue to pile on the abuse to a weaker opponent. You got the sense that the players did not enjoy smoking another team so badly.

 

[shack]

Too bad they do not put a mercy rule in place such as a 10 goal variance, etc.

Aside from goal differential, there is advertising time that they have already sold.

 

[Ref]

Aside from goal differential, there is advertising time that they have already sold.

Good point. It is a difficult position for some of these kids to be in. On one hand you are taught to play hard all the time, and on the other hand, there is also respecting a weaker opponent by not rubbing it in. Even in the NHL when a team is up by several goals, they will "shut it down" so to speak.

I believe baseball is the only sport where you can pile it up because you never know how a team will respond or fortunes will change come the next half inning.

 

[shack]

Good point. It is a difficult position for some of these kids to be in. On one hand you are taught to play hard all the time, and on the other hand, there is also respecting a weaker opponent by not rubbing it in. Even in the NHL when a team is up by several goals, they will "shut it down" so to speak.

I think that when you're a teen, you might not be quite as concerned about piling it on. LOL

Having said that, at one point the Canadians were going straight to centre ice after scoring instead of making the celebratory trip to the bench for the traditional high-fives.

 

[glamphotographer]

I think the Leafs will be flat tonight after 4 day layoff (Sparks in net) against Columbus and be better on Sat (Andersen in Net) vs NYI.

 

[Darts]

If the other team pull their goalie, should Bacock put Nylander on the ice? It might be easier to score when the net is empty.

The Tavares signing is looking better every game.

 

[Ref]

If the other team pull their goalie, should Bacock put Nylander on the ice? It might be easier to score when the net is empty.

The Tavares signing is looking better every game.

Hehehehe. Nylander is squeezing the stick right now. He will get on a roll soon.

 

[glamphotographer]

I think the Leafs will be flat tonight after 4 day layoff (Sparks in net) against Columbus and be better on Sat (Andersen in Net) vs NYI.

Ok, let's try this again, the Leafs will be flat against the Islanders, Islanders seeking revenge on Tavares. Tavares hasn't scored a bunch at home. LOL!

 

[glamphotographer]

If the other team pull their goalie, should Bacock put Nylander on the ice? It might be easier to score when the net is empty.

And if Nylander misses the empty net? The Toronto sesspool media will be all over it for months.

 

[smuddan]

A lot to like about the game other than a win, the Marner line was dominant, defence was solid, Sparks overall was good, Moore has the 4th line going, and more importantly imo was the playin 2nd period when Kapanan jumped in after a Blue Jacket tried to run Marleau through the boards. The Leafs scored right after that play. You don't need to fight or high stick the guy, but by jumping in you show you're supporting your teammate and that's the kind of grit or team toughness the Leafs need.

 

[glamphotographer]

I expected the same fate as you did tonight. A flat Leaf team, with a strong showing Sat.
I was pleasantly surprised at the game against the CBJ.

A much hype game on Sat. Wonder how Tavares will respond???

 

[Johnny Utah]

Absolutely loving Tavares. Stoic and calm and just gets it done in the ice. In some ways like Mats. This is the type of player that can thrive in this market.

 

[Darts]

Time for a report card now that we are at or near the halfway mark.

Exceeded expectations
Kapanen, Tavares, Hainsey (plus 23), Rielly

Met expectations
Andersen, Mathews (when not injured), Marner

Disappointments
Nylander and to a much lesser degree Kadri and Marleau

 

[gcostanza]

Garret Sparks will get the start again tonight, Freddie (Andersen) will not dress, Freddie The Goat is expected in the lineup.
The Maple Leafs have called up Kasimir Kaskisuo from the Marlies to backup Sparks.