NNN - This Isn't Going Well

by Chemmy on Dec 7, 2008 1:36 PM EST

The Washington Capitals' weakness last night at Air Canada Center should have been their defense, what with four players having started the season in the minor leagues, including one making his NHL debut. - The Washington Post

Terrible AHL callup players like Karl Alzner somehow managed to get the job done against the high flying Maple Leafs. Speaking of Alzner:

"I just wanted to get the puck on net," said Alzner, who grew up a Leafs fan and had his father, Gunther, in the crowd watching his son's first game in Canada. "It took me 86 games to get my first goal in juniors. It took me six games in the NHL. So that shows I'm getting a little bit better."

Ugh. Leafs fan scores his first NHL goal against the Leafs, MLSE is going to start killing the first born child in every house until no one is a Leafs fan anymore.

The Star is oddly prescient, but I think they missed the point:

Leafs Losses Mounting

Schenn out two weeks, Hagman left 'groggy' as Caps take advantage of sloppy trends for win.

First off, every team plays with injured players, for example the Washington Hershey Bears. Secondly, the Star completely missed the "losses mounting" in terms of actual losses. Toronto is 4-9-3 in their last 16 games, that's 11 out of a possible 32 points. Stretched out over 82 games Toronto would finish the season with 56 points.

Ugh.

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I thought ‘sloppy’ was the NHL’s least favourite adjective at the moment?

Shame on you, Toronto Star. Shame on you.

You've had all your word nourishment for one day.

by Mattblack on Dec 7, 2008 1:45 PM EST reply actions

There’s been something off with this team for 3 games in a row. Against San Jose I thought they were just tired but last night I kept wondering where all the speed had gone? Where is the team that looked so much faster at the beginning of the season? Where is the team that put up over 30 shots, game after game after game?

They played a solid game against L.A. but against Phoenix and last night against Washington they really seem to be missing something.

by general borschevsky on Dec 7, 2008 2:16 PM EST reply actions

People have been saying it since the start of the season: you won’t win games all season long by just working hard.

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

by Chemmy on Dec 7, 2008 3:08 PM EST up reply actions

It seems to me that Wash did just that last night, aided and abetted by a completely listless Leaf’s effort. So, some nights it works, this time for the other team. On a positive note, losing a 2-1 game means they were always in it, which is half the battle. The fact that they have been losing a inordinate number of 1 goal games is the still unresolved problem. BTW, the more I see the Oilers play, the more I like Ales Hemsky’s game. A combination of the tricky Stepniak and really soft hands. Kaberle for him straight up?

by blue with age on Dec 7, 2008 3:24 PM EST up reply actions

Oilers fans would drop a tactical nuclear weapon on the arena if the organization traded Hemsky.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Dec 7, 2008 6:41 PM EST up reply actions

that alone would be worth it.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2008 6:48 PM EST up reply actions

It would give ammunition to those who want the public to pay for a new arena.

"A vacuum is a hell of a lot better than some of the stuff that nature replaces it with." -- Tennessee Williams

by Baroque on Dec 7, 2008 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

With our depth as it is, the Leafs could ill afford to lose anyone to an injury or to a prolonged slump. Not knowing Van Ryn’s impact on the team (who did?) and Jonas Frogren soon after, our supposed strength was reduced to an average unit. Couple that with the struggles of our existing d-men and now our forwards, the Leafs just don’t have the horses or that elusive game breaker that can weather the storm. Getting great goaltending would also help, but to be honest, even if Toskala was a top-10 goalie, I’m not sure how much better the Leafs would be in comparison. Sure, those one goal games would at the very least be single pointers, but that still doesn’t address our dearth of overall talent.

by bkblades on Dec 7, 2008 3:30 PM EST up reply actions

This is all true. But I think injuries also force teams to take a look at guys they passed over once before. Sometimes the depth of teams comes from unlikely places. I know there is no Crosby on the Marlies patiently waiting for his chance, but I wonder if we have guys down there who can contribute, showcasing their talents and thereby becoming tradeable assets as part of a bigger deal that could turn into something of top 6 talent.

by blue with age on Dec 7, 2008 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

Hey all, let’s all switch to a less emotionally damaging hobby.. Heroin sounds fun!

by LeafFanInVan on Dec 7, 2008 3:11 PM EST reply actions

Woo!

Heroin does sound fun. And it never hurt anyone. Count me in!

"Hootenanny? Well, it's chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny"

by Mabel on Dec 7, 2008 3:48 PM EST up reply actions

Ugh….I just spent an hour with two sens fans prattling on about how great their team is again now that they are only 3 points out of a playoff spot and how they will definetly win those games in hand they have because they are on a roll.
They also made fun of the Leafs because apparently that “depth on defense” we had was a whopping lie. Logic of two huge minute loggers hurt, one traded and one playing forward the majority of the season went over their heads.

God, had there not been children present, I’d be on the news in an OJ like car chase right now.

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2008 5:11 PM EST reply actions

Didn’t Alzner play for team Canada in the junioirs? I don’t remember him being that bad.

by JohnnyG on Dec 7, 2008 7:53 PM EST reply actions

He did. He was the captain. And no, he wasn’t bad.

"Hootenanny? Well, it's chock full of hoot, just a little bit of nanny"

by Mabel on Dec 7, 2008 8:05 PM EST up reply actions

ugh, I hate all these teams with all their young superstars and future superstars. When is it our turn?

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2008 8:24 PM EST up reply actions

I always manage to shake my head when all these “superstars” all end up being a fan of the Maple Leafs one way or another. As if outscoring and humiliating their team growing up wasn’t enough.

by bkblades on Dec 7, 2008 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

I’m just sick of all these teams bogarting the young tallent.
Chicago- Toews, Kane, Sharp
Washington – Backstrom, Semin, Ovi
Pittsburg – Crosby, Malkin, Staal, Fluery

etc etc etc

and we just FINALLY get Schenn
Ugh, that means that we need to stink next year too to get a third cherry pick

Because Taking The Leafs Seriously Is Not An Option

by JaredFromLondon on Dec 7, 2008 8:38 PM EST up reply actions