Leafs at Hurricanes

by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 12:15 PM EST in Maple Leafs Game Previews

Puck Drop: 7PM Eastern TV: Leafs TV

Tonight the Leafs travel to the land of Jeff Dunham's core demographic to take on the suddenly punchless Hurricanes in what has the potential to be the worst hockey game any of us will ever watch. Some may point to the fact that Carolina has gone 0-7-3 in their last ten and are without their entire first line of Eric Staal, ~~Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu~~, to say that this is a game Toronto will win. Update: Ray Whitney and Tuomo Ruutu now expected to play tonight.

I won't say that because Toronto has been a worse team than Carolina so far this season. I will say that if Toronto loses this game for any reason, including but not limited to:

Leafs play "really well" but settle for an OTL
Leafs play crummy but Gustavsson bails them out.
Refs spot Carolina a four goal lead before the first.
Meteor hits Toronto locker room giving everyone the space flu

Then I'm getting ready for next season. It's not hubris, by no means do I think the Leafs have any game in the bag, it's just that if after a stretch of strong play from the Leafs that's seen them lose plenty of games they "deserved to win" I won't have a lot of hope if they can't come out breathing fire tonight. This is the chance for Toronto to put a win on the board and at this point: any game where that's the case becomes a must win. In November.

Professional dipshit Paul Maurice is still inexplicably the coach of the Hurricanes and despite their equally as blowful as Toronto start he had this to say:

"I know you're going to mock me for this but I'm going to give it to you anyway," he said Thursday. "Our feeling is that our goal is to make the playoffs and compete for a Stanley Cup."

Good to see that Paul Maurice has learned from his mistakes. Let's hope he goes to some of his other bad habits like putting out the wrong line late in the game and conceding lots of late period goals. Almost more than I want a win I want to see Paul Maurice on Leafs TV making clever quips about how bad his team is, except unlike the two years we watched of that I want to see it from the winning team's side.

@jonas640: Looks like Gustavsson will start. Unconfirmed as of yet.

Update 2: Ron Wilson has confirmed Gustavsson's start.

Reminder: Gameday thread starts at 6:30, and don't forget your SPG picks. I'll edit this post with starting goaltenders and lines when I know them.

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Comments

Is Jeff Dunham the one with the puppets? Does this mean I’m not the only one who doesn’t understand why he’s considered funny? I feel like I’ve been taking crazy pills.

Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.

by puckurgently on Nov 6, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions

he has a few bits that are (or once upon a time ) funny, but he is probably the most racist comic that never gets called out on it

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions

I get really uncomfortable watching Jeff Dunham or Larry the Cable Guy. Neither of them are overtly racist but it’s this obvious undertone that’s constantly there.

Pension Plan Puppets*
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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions

Larry the Cable guy is actually better than most give him credit for, but then I come from a family of hicks and some of his stuff is the hit home type of funny.
but yeah, he has a lot of racist undertones in his comedy, but I guess he has to talk to the lowest common denominator that has made him a multi-millionaire

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

http://www.bobanddavid.com/2007/10/an_open_letter_to_larry_the_ca.html

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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I hate david cross’ stand up, I dont know why, I think its his voice.
every time i hear it all I can think of is “this would be funnier if robert schimmel was saying it”

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

David Cross goes back and forth between hilarious genius and self-righteous douchebag. That letter falls into the latter category, including (maybe even especially) the parts I agreed with.

Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.

by puckurgently on Nov 6, 2009 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

I kinda agree with that (Let America Laugh was a mixed bag on that sort of vibe)

Still, i tend to agree with the focus of all his pissy diatribes when he channels the Hicks.

Also he gets a free pass for life based solely on Mr.Show’s untouchable greatness. I do like Bob’s characters more though, actually.

by Ando Rich on Nov 6, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t care about offensiveness at all. Offensive can be funny. Neither of them are.

Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.

by puckurgently on Nov 6, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

That’s correct.

Pension Plan Puppets*
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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions

indeed, the only comics that offend me are Dane Cook and Carlos Mencia, because trying to find either of them the least bit funny is an insult to my intelligence

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:46 PM EST up reply actions

Dane Cook is about as funny as the drubbing we took from the Rangers (look! I’m going back on topic!). Don’t understand the appeal at all. Haven’t seen enough Mencia to have an opinion.

Leafs Rumination: hockey and sesquipedalianism.

by puckurgently on Nov 6, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

Jeff Dunham

This was posted more than 2 hours ago, and I only now realized that you weren’t talking about Mike Dunham.

“Yep. Mike Dunham. Middling NHL goaltender. Retired. Unremarkable. Reminds me of the Carolina Hurricanes.”

Yours makes more sense

by pevans on Nov 6, 2009 5:14 PM EST up reply actions

Jeff Dunham is freaking hilarious! Silence! I kill you!

-Graham-

by CanadianMaple09 on Nov 6, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

Funnily enough, I just caught Achmed on youtube the other day.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Nov 6, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

I’ll get to work developing a catch phrase that I will use in place of jokes.

Pension Plan Puppets*
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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 1:27 PM EST up reply actions

neeeeeeyoww

on a stick

silence I kill you!

da da da daaaa!

guy throws so much shit at that wall

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

From a Hurricanes fan and a North Carolina resident

Jeff Dunham is the worst thing ever.

by hip_check on Nov 6, 2009 7:37 PM EST up reply actions

I went to the game in FEB last year with the gf.

Leafs coughed up a 4 goal lead in the 3rd period, only to have Kaberle bail them out in OT. I have been to at least 8 Canes-Leafs games since the Greensboro days. They have won one time. Whenever I don’t go, they win.

I am not going tonight.

by birky on Nov 6, 2009 12:24 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

i rec’ed that cuz i appreciate your commitment in NOT going

Is that the kid you want?

by kessticle on Nov 6, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

you know…i’m just trying to help the club win. one game at a time.

by birky on Nov 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

Remember that time Paul Maurice guaranteed the Leafs would make the playoffs and compete for the cup?

Yeah me too.

by Huey2k2 on Nov 6, 2009 12:32 PM EST reply actions

UPDATE

Apparently both Ray Whitney and Tuomu Ruutu took part in the morning skate and are likely to play tonight.

here

by birky on Nov 6, 2009 12:35 PM EST reply actions

This is all foreshadowing a really hot Cam Ward tonight in a game the Leafs narrowly lose in overtime.

by Huey2k2 on Nov 6, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions

Have I seen this show before?

Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.

by Blinky on Nov 6, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

Updated

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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 12:55 PM EST up reply actions

hmm…. Dregar said on leafs lunch not too long ago that neither will play…

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Nov 6, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions

well crap.

Old Guys in Blue and White

by koopa kid on Nov 6, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

Go Gusty!

Have a good feeling ´bout tonight! And I´m sober.
This will be fun!

"I woke up from my work nap for THIS!?"

by SweKool on Nov 6, 2009 12:42 PM EST reply actions

Meteor hits Toronto locker room giving everyone the space flu

I love it.

by WendelMadeMe on Nov 6, 2009 12:47 PM EST reply actions

space flu

love it. i LOLed

Is that the kid you want?

by kessticle on Nov 6, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions

"Nine to eight, that’s the prediction," Maurice said following his team’s skate at the RBC Center. "They are going to try to manufacture goals any way they can just like we are."

What a dope.

Link.

Wilson’s response is hilarious:

"We’ve been playing much better defensively so I don’t see the game going in that direction," said Wilson. "But if he wants to give up eight or nine goals, we’ll take that right now. He hasn’t watched us play if he thinks we can score eight or nine goals."

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 12:57 PM EST reply actions

hahaha thats awesome

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Nov 6, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

Better link. Better story too.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

At he bottom:

Coach Ron Wilson then confirmed Gustavsson will start.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

You know, we could lose the rest of our games and I’d still stick around for Wilson’s pressers.

Old Guys in Blue and White

by koopa kid on Nov 6, 2009 1:19 PM EST up reply actions

I got Leafs TV this year just for the post game interviews with Wilson.

by Another Good Kingston Boy on Nov 6, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions

You can watch them for free online on the Leafs’ site or there’s a user on Youtube called MapleLeafsUnofficial, he posts most of them within about an hour of them coming out.

-Graham-

by CanadianMaple09 on Nov 6, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions

cool thanks

by Another Good Kingston Boy on Nov 6, 2009 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

lolololol Wilson is a beast.

Pumps out more male with one thrust of the pelvis than the United States postal service over the last 146 years.

by Blinky on Nov 6, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions

Last game vs Tampa...

It should have been a statement game – the Leafs finally had their full team out there – and even though they dominated most of the game, that statement was obviously never made.

Tonight has got to be a statement game. The Leafs usually get buried by Carolina – they’ve got to go out their and step on the Hurricanes throat and get a fricken victory.

If not, I’m with PPP. This season is spoiled. 1-7-5 what the hell kind of record is that???

by TMLSiegeinVancouver on Nov 6, 2009 1:15 PM EST reply actions

Do we know if Kessel will play with Stajan and Blake again?

They generated scoring chances, but I wouldnt mind seeing Phil next to grabovski.

by TMLSiegeinVancouver on Nov 6, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

practice lines were Mitchell and Blake, they probably want Mitchell to power through and create room for the speedsters

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:25 PM EST up reply actions

That looks like the average guy's record on a night at a bar.

Not a hockey team record.

Visit my blog at: http://50-mission-cap.blogspot.com/
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Nov 6, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

ah the over time loss, nothing like striking out at last call

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

Haha, so keeping this analogy intact, are the Hurricanes a cougar that the Leafs can easily pick up?

by TMLSiegeinVancouver on Nov 6, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

keeping with the analogy and carolina stereotype intact, its like picking up the large woman in the dale earnheart shirt with the tattoo of a tiger attacking a bear wrapped in barbed wire on her back

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Rec’d. I’d hit it.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Nov 6, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

You know what they say...

Win some…lose many.

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

by PPP on Nov 6, 2009 1:44 PM EST up reply actions

And most of the time you lose…you actually won.

BE CLEVER OR I SEVER!

by Clawson on Nov 6, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions

So what’s the 5 then? Fake numbers?

Grabo's virtual linemate.

by Sergei Puckizin on Nov 6, 2009 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

Handjobs. No guy just wants a handjob.

BE CLEVER OR I SEVER!

by Clawson on Nov 6, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

Mostly because they can do that better themselves.

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Nov 6, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Absolutely. Got two hands of my own, thank you very much.

Grabo's virtual linemate.

by Sergei Puckizin on Nov 6, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

OTL: Good conversation, her boyfriend is hanging out with his buddies that night.

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by Chemmy on Nov 6, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

So, its a draw because she has a boyfriend so stalemate. Otherwise, giggity giggity giggity!

Grabo's virtual linemate.

by Sergei Puckizin on Nov 6, 2009 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

Losing in overtime no longer acceptable

We have to correct this problem. Montreal won their 7th game in extra-time last night. They have 4 OT wins, and 3 SO wins and no OT or SO losses. Their record after regulation is 1-8-7, but instead their record shows 8-8-0.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 1:32 PM EST reply actions

yeah, and if the tables were turned the leafs would be 6-7-0

ugh

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Ughxactly.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 1:37 PM EST up reply actions

Ughtastic

There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"

by Matt_Roberts on Nov 6, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

Well, that’s the Habs for ya. Play just enough to make it to OT, then dive your way to a win somehow. We have to find the Montreal coven that is sacrificing on their behalf and do some burnin’.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Nov 6, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

The Leafs just need a) opening goals b) insurance goals.

They have had neither with much regularity. They get those, they won’t need an abundance of luck the way Gus is playing.

by TMLSiegeinVancouver on Nov 6, 2009 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

They also need the odd lucky bounce to go their way. Like in the Tampa game, where the puck flipped up over Nittymaki, came down, and bounced off the cross-bar and out. If that went in it was game over. Instead, Tampa goes back the other way and scores a bullshit goal. I hate placing any importance on luck because good teams don’t have to rely on luck, but the Leafs are not a good team and with a bit of better luck they could have a few more wins so far this year.

-Graham-

by CanadianMaple09 on Nov 6, 2009 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

The Leafs goal was a good bounce their way though. Bad pass hits a skate and goes in.

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

by PPP on Nov 6, 2009 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

id like to win off one instead of loosing off one though

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 2:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

THIS – With vengeance!

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Nov 6, 2009 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

I really expected Toskala in tonight. Unless the decision has already been made to start the Monster back-to-back, it seems kinda odd to me. I would have thought that it would be easier for Vesa to go tonight in Carolina, perhaps extra motivated against his former coach, and an easy opportunity to gain confidence against a weakened opponent. I would have rested Gustavsson and had him in tomorrow night against the Red Wings, giving us a chance to win both games.

Maybe Wilson is just trying to get the win tonight but Vesa AT HOME against the Red Wings seems especially challenging, like he’s being set up to fail. Again, if the plan is to give Jonas both starts, then none of the above matters and neither will The Vesa2010.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 2:34 PM EST reply actions

I think it makes more sense to put your good goalie against the weaker team when you are in a position like Torontos. You do as much as you can to guarentee the 2 points. If toskala starts and blows this game, and Detroit plays well enough to get one more goal than the leafs (be it 1-0 or 6-5) then you loose both

Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That

by JaredFromLondon on Nov 6, 2009 2:47 PM EST up reply actions

A bird in hand, huh? Not sure I’d do it that way, but I get it. I guess it’s a (good) sign that Wilson wants wins, not just “better results”.

by general borschevsky on Nov 6, 2009 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

if after a stretch of strong play from the Leafs that’s seen them lose plenty of games they “deserved to win” I won’t have a lot of hope

Whatever you do, don’t turn into a Keswick Lee. It’s a tough thing for us to go through, but we’ve gotta keep the faith.

"I will take the subway - we were on the subway last night...I'm not above riding the subway or riding on a bus, I don't care. As long as people don't hit me." --Ron Wilson

by Jo4nny on Nov 6, 2009 3:05 PM EST reply actions