Maple Leafs 1 at senators 2 (SO): Progress

by PPP on Nov 29, 2008 9:00 AM EST

You might think that a loss to one of our bitterest rivals would sting but you would be wrong. While the "Cup contender" senators were led to victory it is telling that their magical trio of Spezza, Heatley, and Alfredsson have started their disappearing act in November rather than padding their stats until the playoffs. After seeing the rubble that wears the blue and white earn a well deserved point against on overrated sens team I felt pretty good because there was a lot for the Leafs to build upon.

Final - 11.27.2008	1	2	3	OT	SO	Total
Toronto Maple Leafs	1	0	0	0	0	1
Ottawa Senators	1	0	0	0	1	2

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Here is some of the good things that I was talking about:

Ponikarovsky apparently is not happy with his demotion because he ran around hitting everything that moved. I like it.
Dominic Moore won't take shit from anyone.
Deveaux can play hockey so unlike McGrattan or Peters he can play regularly in the lineup. He's no Milan Lucic yet but he is apparently tough enough to scare Cody Bass and Jarkko Ruutu out of fighting.
Jeff Finger got things back on track. He is slow and will never get enough powerplay time to justify his price tag but he is smart with the puck and plays the body. He deserves some love.
Luke Schenn was back to his best. From stickhandling like a pro to some veteran-like patience on the puck to his defensive acumen to the stunning hit on Antoine Vermette he showed why even Damien Cox calls him an "A" prospect.
Hello Vesa! We've been missing you. So glad that you felt the need to respond to Chemmy and my critcism of your play. Try to keep doing that for us until March 4th.
Kulemin's goal was the kind of play that we've come to expect from the Man Grabs Lemon line. A persistent forecheck, a turnover caused, a quick pass, and a nice finish. They are pure lemonade.
Stempniak looked great again. He's strong on the puck with a good shot and plays physically. He's been buzzing for two straight games and I expect the first goal to come soon and hopefully open the floodgates. Dutchie, as he is called according to SLGT, is a great pickup. Thanks Cliff!

What other thoughts did you guys have on the game?

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Comments

mmm Lemonade

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 29, 2008 9:08 AM EST reply actions

This must have been a weird game. I was there, and everyone I was with agreed it was a brutal game between two bad teams, with no intensity.

But apparently everyone who watched on TV thought it was a great game. Odd. Usually, it’s the other way around.

Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.

by Down Goes Brown on Nov 29, 2008 9:45 AM EST reply actions

tv vs in person

Whenever I’m here at PPP, the games are much more fun than if I wasn’t on PPP.

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 29, 2008 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

I felt the same way at the 0-0 Rangers game. I thought it sucked in person, but everyone who watched on TV thought it was a good game.

Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.

by Chemmy on Nov 29, 2008 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

It certainly looked and felt like a 1-1 game in the second and third periods. It wasn’t exactly what I would call exciting. I think it looked good to Leaf fans mostly because Toskala was sharp, the Leafs didn’t make any major blunders, and most of them were finishing their checks. Also, the game had good flow – there were are hardly any whistles.

by general borschevsky on Nov 29, 2008 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

Thoughts...

- Pretty sure I dominated the spam crown
- Jason Spezza is terrible
- Deveaux is a gamer
- I didnt think Stempniak played very well at all… Seemed like he was forcing his own offence instead of letting it come as part of the flow of the game. I still think he’s going to be a real stud, and once he finds a comfortable spot in the lineup and develops some chemistry within a line, he can really be something.
- Kulemin’s goal was footloose and fancy free
- Antoine Vermette is dead.

Big Smoke Sports - We Burn The Buds, Roll The Raps, and Smoke The Jays

by Archimedies on Nov 29, 2008 10:41 AM EST reply actions

Stempy was pretty invisible.

The most impressive thing about Deveaux’s game was his refusal to get baited by Ruutu. Pretty veteran move.

Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.

by Down Goes Brown on Nov 29, 2008 11:59 AM EST up reply actions

Deveaux

Absolutely. He followed Mayers’ lead and didn’t get goaded into dropping the gloves first or taking a penalty.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 29, 2008 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

Stempniak

I thought his big problem so far is that he is having trouble getting his shot off. Part of it is waiting too long and part of it is that players are always in the way!

Maybe it’s because I kept an eye out for him but I noticed him quite a bit.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.

by PPP on Nov 29, 2008 12:47 PM EST up reply actions

- Pretty sure I dominated the spam crown

Maybe, I gave you a run for the money though

- Jason Spezza is terrible

At all things that are not hooking

- Antoine Vermette is dead.

or at least hiding under his bed crying and screaming in his sleep

Making stuff up since real Leafs news is far too depressing

by loser domi on Nov 29, 2008 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

It wasn’t a great game but as PPP said there were some things that were good to see. Schenn played the best game he’s played in a while, and obviously Toskala was at his most un-Raycroftian. It was also fun to watch the Senators frustration.

by Mirinov's Nose on Nov 29, 2008 12:41 PM EST reply actions