Nobody comment on the game last night?
What a painful awakening... Back to basic, back to the drawing board, the party is over, let's start working....
It was a strange game.
It was like David Bolland's home coming, and no one wanted to be too intense, just play but show a lot of sportsmanship.
No fights. Not many hits. No heavy hits. No body wanted to run anybody. The only player on either side who tried to stick it to people all night was Phaneuf. No wonder he's always voted the most overrated. Orr tried, but not often because he could not catch up to speedy players. Macleran is a better player than Orr. Orr probably does not belong in the league. Can that Broll guy play? He got into a fight the other night. I think Broll has some potential. Seems okay, except he did a bad job of covering the point on Kosta's goal. Will Orr and Ranger be with the Leafs all season, press box?
The Leafs have to forecheck. If there is nothing on the rush, hold onto the puck, or forecheck.
During the 1st and 2nd periods, this was how the game was played. View it from the perspective of a Leafs defense man. The Leafs defense man sees the puck go into the other zone. That should be good. But immediately the break out happens and they are coming right at you even faster.
That was strange. It was like the Leafs forwards, did not know how to play hockey.
On the positive, after Carlyle seen enough, started switching up the lines, Leafs played better. Really no urgency in their game, but just played better in the third period with better line combinations.
The loss of Kulemin is huge as we see now. He forechecks, a good two way hockey player. He should put up more points. Try a line of Clarkson, Kadri, Kulemin. Pushing and shoving after every shift. Don't you guys think Kadri plays bigger when he has someone bigger playing with him? Clarkson has to be paired up with Kadri. It going to be too much fun to watch. Clarkson is good for 40 points and over 100 penalty minutes. Lupul is tough, and going at a point a game pace, like Kadir, but unlikely to hit 100 penalty minutes.
Too many passengers last night.
:deadhorse: