Red Wings at Leafs
Red Wings at Leafs: 7:00 ET CBC-HD, NHLN-HD (US)
It's Saturday morning and I had the most beautiful drunken hallucination dream. I dreamed that the Leafs came out flat but then came back and dominated the Hurricanes en route to a 3-2 win on the back of Jonas Gustavsson and strong play from Jason Blake and Phil Kessel.
Last night Jason Blake came with a strong forecheck and relentlessly pestered the Hurricanes. I genuinely believe that he hates Paul Maurice more than we'll ever know. Phil Kessel also came flying back into his defensive end twice to break up odd man rushes. He used his laser feet to come back and break up a play.
I'm going to refer to when the Patriots signed Randy Moss. Here's what Oakland's Tom Walsh said about him:
"Randy Moss is a player whose skills are diminishing, and he's in denial of those eroding skills...Randy was a great receiver, but he lacked the work ethic and the desire to cultivate any skills that would compensate for what he was losing physically later in his career."
Two years later and Randy Moss is probably a first ballot Hall of Famer, a guy who captains New England's offensive team at practice and stays after workouts to help rookies learn the playbook, it other words what everyone said about him was dead fucking wrong.
I've only seen two games out of Kessel and it's pretty obvious his shot isn't 100% but his legs are almost there and Ron Wilson has him backchecking like missing an assignment would cause the Mayan Apocalypse. So much for a lazy floater.
On the Detroit front, take your Os-bad jokes and save them for later this season. Since getting yanked in Vancouver on October 27th Osgood has played three games and allowed two goals on 84 shots (0.976). Two of those games were against San Jose and Boston. Gulp. Better hope our offense stops praying for lucky bounces or we're in for a long night when Datsyuk and Zetterberg get rolling.No news on starting goalies this early in the morning. We'll be running the usual skeleton crew on a Saturday afternoon around the blog so post lineup news in the comments and get people to rec them up.
Update: Lines courtesy of Jonas Siegel
Forwards
Blake Mitchell Kessel
Ponikarovsky Grabovski Kulemin
Hagman Stajan Stempniak
Primeau Wallin Orr
Defense
Kaberle Komisarek
Beauchemin White
Schenn Finger
Goalie
Gustavsson
Don't forget your SPG picks but most importantly: go Leafs go! Keep the point streak alive!
1 recs |
86 comments
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Comments
I'm in town and will be at the game
Wooooo. First one at the ACC in years.
by lordosis on Nov 7, 2009 9:12 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
NEAT
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
by Chemmy on Nov 7, 2009 9:20 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Have fun there. :D
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 9:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Me too… first time at the ACC in probably eight years.
If they start Toskala, I want my money back.
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Nov 7, 2009 9:40 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Burke’s revenge coming here, I think.
Harder, better, faster, stronger because our work is never over.
by Mattblack on Nov 7, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Porbably. I’ll get to the front of the line with the fancy platinum ticket, they’ll scan it and say “sorry sir, this is counterfeit, you drove all the way here for nothing.”
Then Burke jumps out and says “Hey, doesn’t it suck when things are fake?”
Down Goes Brown - Unapologetically nostalgic for the past. Brutally realistic about the present. Grudgingly optimistic about the future.
by Down Goes Brown on Nov 7, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
And then cosh you behind the ear with a sock full of wet sand.
Harder, better, faster, stronger because our work is never over.
by Mattblack on Nov 7, 2009 10:01 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Brian Burke would be much better on that Punk’d show than Ashton Kutcher
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Nov 7, 2009 11:05 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Hey, Alfie, you’ve just been traded to the Maple Leafs, pack your things!
(steps out of front door)
Burke- Sorry, sucker, I wouldn’t let you on my team for the tea in China.
I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.
by kidkawartha on Nov 7, 2009 12:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d take Alfie….
But only so Orr could cheapshot him without taking a penalty.
by Theodles on Nov 7, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Brady says it looks like Monster will start
WOOT! Fingers crossed….
by Godd Till on Nov 7, 2009 10:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Did San Jose and Boston
have Phil Kessel? :P
by Frag on Nov 7, 2009 11:08 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
GOOD QUESTION
NO! KES-SEL! KES-SEL!
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 11:09 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Also
MONSTER MONSTER MONSTER!!!!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Nov 7, 2009 11:25 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GO LEAFS GO!
Space Weed Says The Steve Ott of Hockey Blogs
"DO NOT get stuck behind Kyle Wellwood in the buffet line. This isn't really etiquette, but it will prevent you from starving to death"- Down Goes Brown on Etiquette for Jason Spezza's wedding
by Space Weed on Nov 7, 2009 11:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GO LEAFS GO
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GO LEAFS GO LEAFS GO LEAFS GO LEAFS GO
by Robot Godzilla on Nov 7, 2009 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Ron Wilson has him backchecking like missing an assignment would cause the Mayan Apocalypse.
Stuff like this is why I love Ron Wilson and would be sad if he was fired.
by Huey2k2 on Nov 7, 2009 11:56 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
This is why every day I am thankful that Brian Burke runs this team and not Damien Cox, Howard Berger, Steve Simmons, etc…
by Belligerent Burkie on Nov 7, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't see the game last night......
Because I was writing a mid-term from 7-10. How did the guys play that didn’t score? Anybody throw a solid bodycheck? Or is it too hard to hit a flat, lifeless object?
Also my computer’s fucked, so I can’t youtube any of that stuff :(
by Belligerent Burkie on Nov 7, 2009 12:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Komisarek was fine, Beauchemin sucked, Schenn was okay, etc...
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I didn’t see most of the game because the Caps were on, but Komisarek looked pretty shaky on that final shift. I like him though so I’m glad he gets an overall passing grade.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 3:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the game was generally terrible
Monster was awesome, Komi had probably one of his better games, Kessel looked dangerous and the Mitchell experiment looks like it might be the best current option.
Poni looked solid but was quiet, Grabbo is still a buzz saw with a penchant for drop passes, Kuli was also good.
Beauch was terrible, and toskala still sucks
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Nov 7, 2009 12:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
toskala was handing out the gatorade bottles on the bench. He mishandled two which dropped through his legs and one bounced over his shoulder.
"I'd walk into the Leafs dressing room to get ready for the day and Harold would be there in his boxer shorts shaving. King Clancy would drop by a little later, play the fool, and then head off to the racetrack." John Brophy
by Mike Pelyk's Hairdo on Nov 7, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
monster does not need puny vesa as back up, monster is own back up
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Nov 7, 2009 1:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I hope Monster doesn’t get it any bar fights. =P
by Theodles on Nov 7, 2009 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Monster gets the start WOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
We actually have a chance to win.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Bringin' The Pain Since 2009
by LeafFan1989 on Nov 7, 2009 1:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I have nothing interesting to say.
by blurr1974 on Nov 7, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
WHOOOOOOOOOOO
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 1:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I’m waiting for the headline “Toskala broken down into usable parts and stored on ice for when the Monster needs a replacement body part”.
I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.
by kidkawartha on Nov 7, 2009 1:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I don’t want any part of Toskala in a Maple leafs jersey ever again after this season.
Toronto Maple Leafs: Bringin' The Pain Since 2009
by LeafFan1989 on Nov 7, 2009 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This.
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 2:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
I can't believe I missed the game
but I had my own hockey game last night at 8 30. Could someone give me a run-down of how Beauchemin played badly? I know it’s a usual occurrence this year but I’d just like some specifics. Good to know that Komi started playing well lately.
-Bone's Corner
by BonesCorner on Nov 7, 2009 2:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Well for starters, he coughed up the puck and then took a penalty trying to make up for his own mistake in the final minutes of the game.
Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.
by Shield on Nov 7, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
disclaimer: I haven’t seen the replay, but it didn’t seem like the worst penalty to me. He stopped someone from getting a shot off in the final seconds. Otherwise I don’t think he stood out as having a bad game. Anything else?
by Robot Godzilla on Nov 7, 2009 3:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The penalty itself wasn’t that bad, as it did stop a possible goal, but he wouldn’t have had to take it at all if he hadn’t have coughed the puck up behind the net.
Moustache Fever, not to be confused with swine flu.
by Shield on Nov 7, 2009 5:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Beauchemen makes at least one of these a game.
by 6rick6 on Nov 7, 2009 3:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
komi is playing the way we pay him to play finally.
by 6rick6 on Nov 7, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The REAL Monster
Hey Guys,

’Sup?
4-1
.936 sv%
1.60 GAA
Woooo, indeed :-) Go Leafs!
by Temujin on Nov 7, 2009 3:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
yeaaaah
2007-08 Toronto NHL 19 2 9 5 1 63 - 509 .876 3.92 965
2006-07 Toronto NHL 72 37 25 9 2 205 - 1931.894 2.99 4108
imnsure he had a good 5 game stretch in there somewhere
remember how good wellwood started last year?
enjoy!
Puns, Innuendo and Bad Spelling, Yes We Got That
by JaredFromLondon on Nov 7, 2009 3:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Key Difference
Paul Maurice vs. Alain Vigneault
One coaches defense, the other doesn’t. You figure out which is which.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:27 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HAHAHA
Just pray that his appearances stay under 10 games.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Coincidence?

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 7, 2009 6:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Clearly it was poor coaching and terrible personnel
that help him back those years. I mean, Wellwood is thriving in Vancouver right now too.
Err….
by Temujin on Nov 7, 2009 3:23 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
If you don't see a difference in coaching
defensive hockey vs. offensive hockey… or the personnel on each team… you’re a bit blind?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Vancouver
9th in GAA, 18th in GFA
2006-07 Leafs = 25th in GAA, 8th in GFA
See the distinction?
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
Wellwood is really thriving. HAHAHA. You Canucks guy do good comedy.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
reply button
Maybe you’ve heard of it? It’s below every post in between the time and actions.
by Clawson on Nov 7, 2009 3:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
There we go
Thank you
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I had a dream last night the Leafs beat the Wings 2-0 with the Monster getting the S.O. and Colton Orr scoring both of are goals for us. Go Leafs.
by 6rick6 on Nov 7, 2009 3:35 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
The Orr scoring two for us is a bit of a stretch....
but the Gusto shutout, I can see it happening. :D
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 3:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry Guys
But Nylander was put on waivers. So much for Nyls for Toskala.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 3:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
We can still nab him...
We’ll just find ’nother way to get rid of Toskala. ;D
(It might be a bit, how do you say, “Hands-On”?)
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Nice. Waivers just means you can have Nylander for FREE!
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
That's pretty much how we do it. ;D
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 3:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Komisarek will just ask Toskala to go for a ride. Problem solved.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 3:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Better yet...
Schenn just looks at Toskala, who quickly collapses in agony. Season over for Vesa. ;D
Junior Director of Anti-Bandwagoning, PPP Amalgamated Heavy Industries
Truculence is Everything: We Rant, We Caption, We Care.
by Kavel Pubina on Nov 7, 2009 4:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LTIR baby
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Uhhh…hey Burke. Pick up Nylander. Right now. Waive Mayers and send down Rosehill to make space. Do it.
They call me Splodeybones.
by SkinnyFish on Nov 7, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why take him now, when we might be able to get him on re-entry waivers…if we want him :P
by Theodles on Nov 7, 2009 3:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bwahahahaha. You think the Caps will expose him to re-entry waivers? Not a chance in hell. They’ll either negotiate a loan to Europe or keep him in the minors all year. I can’t see any situation in which GMGM puts Nyls on re-entry waivers. He needs to resign Backstrom and Semin and he definitely does not want $2.4 million of dead weight on the cap for next year.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 4:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
This. If Nylander somehow clears waivers (he won’t) Washington will be dancing in the streets because all of Nylander’s cap will be sitting in Hershey or he’ll be shipped off to the KHL.
They call me Splodeybones.
by SkinnyFish on Nov 7, 2009 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
We don't want Nylander
He’s past prime… long past prime.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:16 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
and frankly
we have too many forwards as it is in our system… we don’t need yet another old balls clogging up the development system.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Even if he doesn’t clear Caps fans are happy. Whether or not he clears he isn’t taking cap space anymore. Europe or the AHL are his options and both are fine with us.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 4:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not sure the Caps themselves would like to be paying his salary
in the AHL. Especially since it isn’t covered by the Escrow, so they’d pay it in full, even if the pay level at the end of the season drops.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Not my problem
If Ted can live with eating it I don’t care. I suspect a loan is in the works and they just need to haggle on how much the European team has to pay back to the Caps.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like Ted eats lots of things.
"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 7, 2009 5:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Zing.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 6:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Backstrom for sure, anyway.
by Knee high to a duck on Nov 7, 2009 4:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Heh. Wasn’t gonna get into that over here.
If consequences dictate the course of action, then it doesn't matter what's right, it's only wrong if you get caught. If consequences dictate the course of action, then I should play God...
by Fehr and Balanced on Nov 7, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Troubling Trends
The Leafs only win on Leafs TV. Thus my only joy this season has come watching a sketchy feed from some online savior.
Why we seems to always have about 7million tied up in non performrs who get chucked to the curb and stay on the cap hit for years after they have left.
"Dad why are you crying?"
by my son has a choice on Nov 7, 2009 3:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Welcome
Thanks for joining. I assume that your name means that your son has a choice about everything in life…except for being a Leafs fan.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
choice
well, when you put it that way.
"Dad why are you crying?"
by my son has a choice on Nov 8, 2009 11:54 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Quick
Read this posting… It’s really late and I know this isn’t the FTB… but I’m going to ignore the rules since I had a rough afternoon of shopping for towels and apartment stuff with my fiancee.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Rules
The only thing that separates us from the animals.
Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
by PPP on Nov 7, 2009 6:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gustavsson is starting
and I’m pretty sure they’re playing White with Schenn and Finger with Beauchemin… after what I heard Zettler saying on the TV at lunch time.
"Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."
- Sir Winston Churchill
I'm pretty sure he's talking about the Leafs.
by Steve@Leafs.HockeyAnalysis.com on Nov 7, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I find it troubling that Beauchemin is still trying to find a partner that can help him settle down.
Supporter of the Sergei Berezin "Give and Go" - You give me puck, then you go to hell
by bkblades on Nov 7, 2009 6:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
White and Schenn is a good combo…I like it
by WendelMadeMe on Nov 7, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

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