Maple Leafs 4 at Senators 3

by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 3:02 AM EDT in Game Recaps

The Toronto Maple Leafs' decent pre-season continued with a win at the ACC East. There was some good, some bad, some funny, and some frustrating aspects to the game. Or at least I assume so because I just got to watch the game in six so you'll have to fill me in on anything beyond what I gleaned:

Nikolai Kulemin potted his fifth of the pre-season on a strong move past noted pylon and Team Canada waterboy Jared Cowen. Special kudos to Luca Caputi for properly playing his angles and keeping a clearing attempt in the offensive zone.
Happy Trails doesn't just beat up enigmatic Russians, he can also enter the zone with speed and make great centring passes to future NHL All-Stars. Great vision by Nazem Kadri to find the soft spot in the Senators' coverage and a quick release.
Now comes the bad: Milan Michalek, the sum total of the return on the Dany Heatley trade, rifled a snipe job just under the bar.
This goal came as a result of unnoticed goaltender interference, terrible communication that led to broken down defensive coverage, and a really lucky bounce. There goes the two goal lead.
This one was again terrible defence all around. Special kudos to John Mitchell for leaving the front of the net to chase the puck and Tomas Kaberle for lollygagging his way back into position.
But the Leafs did not roll over. Daniel Alfredsson, scared of the incoming Dion Phaneuf and thinking back to getting filled in by Mike Komisarek, threw the puck away in a panic which led to a turnover at the offensive blueline and a KADRI! KADRI! KADRI! goal. He made a nice move around Chris "1st Round Draft Pick" Campoli, had his shot blocked, but was lucky enough to get it back.
On the rush, Kadri picked the right play, hit Phaneuf in stride who snapped a low hard shot on net that Phil Kessel, who had driven to the net (weird to watch him score a goal against the Senators by driving the net rather than rifling them in) deflected it in.

Other notes: Mike Fisher, who I've always referred to as "sneaky" dirty, cross-checked Jay Rosehill in the face after he bowled Karlsson over. Not surprised in the least by that play. Alex Kovalev...LOL. And Francis Lessard continues to be gutless. He jumped Rosehill and then didn't fight. Who knew that Neilitis was contagious.

Game in Six after the jump.

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Still expecting Kadri to be sent down to start the year but I am really happy with how last night went for him. Something to build on if he goes down. Although it would be nice to see a few more games of him on the wing to see how he does, might be onto something here.

by ShahofToronto on Sep 30, 2010 3:25 AM EDT reply actions

something to build on is quite right

by Yotes Lover on Sep 30, 2010 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions

I'm scared to start the season with Tim Brent

…it’s almost like the Blue JAys starting the year with Brian Tallet in the starting rotation…

by brewerm on Sep 30, 2010 3:31 AM EDT reply actions

Tim Brents play

Will be somewhere between Dominic Moore and Rickard Wallin

by Johnny Bower's Pokecheck on Sep 30, 2010 5:13 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Hopefully closer to Moore

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions

That game in 6

Wow. Kadri should have gotten the first, second, and the goal on his assist. What a pass. He should always play wing.
I think that Mike Komisarek hit totally justified his wholes year’s salary. He’s a genius with the body.
Kulemin will score 30.
Kadri’s powerplay goal is EXACTLY why he should play left wing on the top line. 3 righties don’t work.
Kovalev totally interfered with Giggy.
Kadri can toedrag. Run and tell that.

by doggit on Sep 30, 2010 6:48 AM EDT reply actions

I’d love for Chemmy’s Corner to breakdown how our positioning was so bad on goal 3. You can’t tell from the Game in 6 and I can’t remember from the game why Kaberle was so high. He sure didn’t seem to be in any hurry to cover Alfie though… every one else seems in position (though Phil was a little low, not that it mattered for the goal).

Has anyone else noticed the last couple games Phaneuf seems to be making more of an effort to get his shots low and on the net rather than doing a full wind up for maximum power? Not that the pre-season means much but he’s got 5 points in 4 games I believe.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 6:55 AM EDT reply actions

Dion’s decision to drop his shot down a gear has single-handedly upgraded our PP from “atrocious” to “semi-competent”.

Resident Capologist
Follow me on Twitter @clrkaitken. Or don't. Whatever.

by clrkaitken on Sep 30, 2010 7:45 AM EDT up reply actions

For some reason, Kaberle stepped up to cover the Senator at the point. Why he did that, I’ll never know. Mitchell would have been fine stepping up if Kaberle had been in position.

Negative. I am a meat popsicle.

by birky on Sep 30, 2010 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Mitchell had little choice but to cover the puck there, I don’t blame him at all. If you’re a centre and a guy has the puck down low with no D in sight you have to take him and trust your D to cover the open men.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Mitchell should not have chased behind the net.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

What would you have Mitchell do? Cover Alfie and let the puck carrier come out unmolested?

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes actually. If a defenceman were there the play would be to contain that forward to the outside and prevent any pass in front of the net.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I think the key here is “If a defenceman were there.” The whole problem started because Kaberle was loafing.

by Screaming Will on Sep 30, 2010 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, Socks was left playing 1 on 2. Tough call there.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I find that the Leafs’ biggest weakness defensively is that they just don’t talk. That leads to terrible rotation. When you get close enough to hear the game you realise how quiet they are.

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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I always felt/sensed/thought with no proof that Giggy would communicate well with his D. Could see Gustavsson being tentative.Goalie has to control traffic around his net.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Kaberle’s pressuring the puck carrier by the blue line and then turns around and loafs back.

There’s another forward I don’t remember that also doesn’t get back. Those two just stood out the most to me because one is a guy that can’t afford to make those kinds of mistakes and the other’s a guy that doesn’t stop making those kinds of mistakes.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I figured Kaberle had a good reason for being out there, but there’s no good reason not to haul ass back to the front of the net.

Note to daoust, general and eyebleaf: the other two goals aren’t worthy of much discussion: bad pinch by Gunnar and terrible whiff by Giggy on the first, fluky scramble on the second.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha, thanks for the note. I agree, Kabby didn’t show a lot of hustle getting back to the net that’s for sure. I’m just not that bothered by it, Kabby’s offensive contributions outweigh his defensive weaknesses (as evidenced by his GVT last year), and that’s why he’s paid less than Komisarek to score about 5 times as many points. It’s a goal-scoring contest.

Re: Gunnar. He definitely didn’t have a very good game.

Yesterday is dead, but not my memory.

by daoust on Sep 30, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Neilitis must be damn contagious, for guys with Rosehill’s and Orr’s immune systems to fall prey to it, even with Neil not in the game.

Rosehill runs over Karlsson from behind, gets cross-checked by Fisher in lieu of a penalty (in a hardly sneaky fashion, which is probably why you weren’t surprised), yet both he and Orr allow Beauchemin to throw down with Fisher, as payback …. wait, what?

But I wouldn’t go so far as to call Orr and Rosehill gutless. Just a minor outbreak of the ailment attributed to a guy with 13 or 14 fights per season. (Is that akin to naming Hodgkin’s after a guy who never contracted Hodgkin’s? Or a Gordie Howe Hat-trick after a guy with only two career occurances?)

Tell them to down 10 goals and call me in the morning (that prescription should read ten each per season, not ten career goals, combined).

Seriously though, a good game was had by all.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 8:19 AM EDT reply actions

Ummm… not sure why Orr or Rosehill would step in when Beauchemin pretty clearly had nothing to fear from Kovalev. If anything, you could accuse Beauchemin of “Neilitis” for picking on a clearly inferior scrapper but Kovalev seemed to want it. It all seemed pretty fair to me. Kudos to Kovalev for joking about it afterwards, something like “I just tried to hurt his hands with my head”. Very Mogilny-ish.

Fisher’s play seemed a little across the line because while Rosehill’s shot was dirty, it wasn’t dangerous—Fisher’s cross-check was dangerously close to taking out what few teeth Rosehill probably has left.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 8:39 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m fairly certain, based on body language, that Beauchemin’s last words before the fight were “you sure you want to dance, old man? Really?”

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Sep 30, 2010 8:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes. 100%. It was high comedy all around.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions

It was Kovalev’s duck and weave just before getting filled in that just killed me.

I am Mikhail Grabovski's smirking revenge.

by kidkawartha on Sep 30, 2010 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes. He’s nothing if not a showman. I almost thought I saw him smirking.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

That might have been a nervous twitch from the brain damage he was about to receive.

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 10:01 AM EDT up reply actions

this is all highly disturbing.

I kind of like a senator here.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. I think I need a drink now.

by Wan Ihite on Sep 30, 2010 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

The puck was in Karlsson’s skates. If it hadn’t bounced over his stick it was a clean play.

Fisher cross-checked Rosehill in the face. It was a filthy play.

Beauchemin’s hardly a scrapper and he gave Kovalev every chance to duck out. He didn’t, say for argument’s sake, just drop the gloves and start punching him in the back of the head before Kovalev knew he was in a fight. Of course, only a gutless puke would do that.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Meh, I thought Rosehill’s hit was dubious. “In his skates” is being a little generous. Fisher was standing up for his kid teammate which is fine, he just got the stick up way too much.

A good result all around methinks.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions

It was definitely a penalty because it was a hit he threw anticipating he’d have the puck. I think a Senators player did the same thing in the first pre-season game.

But any cross-check to the head is delivered with the intent to injure. Hope the Leafs remember that.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Rosehill’s hit was harmless. Welcome to the bigs, kid.
(maybe I’m being a bit biased)

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Harmless, maybe. Still a penalty.

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by clrkaitken on Sep 30, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

Was it the ref behind the play who made the call? The ref behind the net ,and closest to the play, didn’t seem to have an issue.

Personally I think it was a clean check, that shouldn’t be called a penalty. New NHL and all that.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Beauchemin is a pretty established fighter. Besides our three enforcers, he’s probably the best fighter on the team. Except maybe Komisarek, and I’m not really sure about that.

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

My impression of Beauchemin is he’s too valuable a defender to waste 5 minutes in the box but if duty calls he can throw with the best of them (non-heavyweight division).

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 9:51 AM EDT up reply actions

Beauchemin has 9 fights in his career, I wouldn’t say he’s that established

He’s widely recognized as a really fricking strong guy, but he’s averaged one fight a year

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 30, 2010 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah

I worded that badly. But you got what I meant. He can definately throw down if he needs to, against pretty much anyone that’s not a hired goon.

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 9:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Everyone who played for the ducks in 06-07 got into at least 3 fights. (this isn’t true, but.. not important)

On the Mike Weber bandwagon.
Everything wrong with the Sabres is Drew Stafford's fault.

by Ubiquitous on Sep 30, 2010 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions

It is precisely because of how dirty or dangerous the Fisher cross check was that I diagnosed Rosehill with Neilitis.

With the linesmen busy tending to the Kovalev pants-off dance-off (or at any time later when Fisher was back on the ice), one would have thought Rosehill would have taken Fisher up on his challenge. Aren’t sticks to the face similar to the age-old tradition of the glove slap across the cheek?

But I’m no Doctor House. I usually make three incorrect diagnoses before NOT making the correct one.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

I see. The difference though is that tough as Fisher is, Rosehill probably would have pummelled him and then the Leafs would have been in trouble for sending a goon after the Sens’ 2nd line centre. “Neilitis” is refusing to tangle with stronger players, not weaker ones.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 5:19 PM EDT up reply actions

Rosehill would surely have pummeled Fisher’s beautiful face, so in the interests of preserving that asset for future country music videos, Rosehill did the world a favour.

But make no mistake – Fisher’s chin can take alot of abuse. It has been known to withstand the ravages of floods better than any levee, as well as beating back armies of invading hoardes.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:35 PM EDT up reply actions

No one wants to be the one to make Carrie Underwood angry.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I know you’re not suggesting Colton “I will fight anything that breathes” Orr has anything in common with Chris “Ummm linesman, PLEASE hold me back” Neil.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
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by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions

Very little, if anything at all, in common. Including things like PIM/Game, Hits, TOI, +/-, salary, height, weight ….

Making such a suggestion would be ridiculous ;-)

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Neil can definitely play more hockey than Orr. Orr is miles tougher.

Pension Plan Puppets: A Toronto Maple Leafs blog and a group therapy session.
Like reading thoughts confined to 140 characters? I'm on Twitter too.

by PPP on Sep 30, 2010 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions

ya kovalev like charged at beauchemin, so kinda hard to blame that one on beauch

by Yotes Lover on Sep 30, 2010 9:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Your picture there is almost making me want to be a coyotes fan

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 30, 2010 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions

Try this one out.

Safe, just a large jpg.

Support Your Local Coyotes Blog - Five For Howling
JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.

by Travis Hair on Sep 30, 2010 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Unreal.
Sex sells…I want to be Yotes fan

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions

We’re currently accepting applications over at Five for Howling.

Support Your Local Coyotes Blog - Five For Howling
JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.

by Travis Hair on Sep 30, 2010 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Something is way off about her face/eyes. I don’t like it.

When I read the nickname Testicula, the first thing that popped into my head was a vampiristic scrotum that can only be killed with a silver cross driven through the vas deferens. - Certified Grabbo Lover

by SkinnyFish on Sep 30, 2010 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions

Something’s off with your face.

Support Your Local Coyotes Blog - Five For Howling
JaredFromLondon: ...Odin, he's cool.

by Travis Hair on Sep 30, 2010 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah – they’re unusally hot

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions

she has a slight muffin top

barf

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions

hahahahahahaha

Negative. I am a meat popsicle.

by birky on Sep 30, 2010 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

The picture would be way better if her upper lip was visible

But she has gorgeous eyes.

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 30, 2010 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions

You know what it is?

The fact that she has 3 distinct skin tones. Her belly is lighter than her arms, which is lighter than her face. It’s Phoenix honey, so outside for an hour and even up that tan.

by SkinnyFish on Sep 30, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

photoshop is a wonderful thing

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions

And her left arm is slightly darker than her right, I think Dean Keaton is onto something

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 30, 2010 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions

But she's hot

So I’m pretty sure she can whatever damn color she wants.

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

even green?

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d hit it

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions

even green

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

wow dude your eyes are way better than mine for colour,tone and such. And you’re incredibly picky. Or you’re girlfriend frequents this site.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

She knows I call ’em like I sees ’em. I pull no punches in calling a chick hot, but man this one throws me off.

by SkinnyFish on Sep 30, 2010 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Well, if she throws you off she throws you off. Can’t argue with that. Also I’ve strayed from the topic.

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions

If she throws you off, you climb right back on. Just like a horse.

by AM18 on Sep 30, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

That would be hard to do. Fortunately, all I was doing, was making the observation that while Kovalev and Beauchemin were dancing, the Leafs did have two rather surly fellows on the ice who had reason to do more than watch a fight – Rosehill was a true gentleman for letting Fisher off the hook and Orr was a scholar for not instigating anything with any of the other multi-millionaires on the ice.

If anyone’s to blame for anything, it’d have to be Clouston for sending out skill players against Wilson’s line that featured Orr/Rosehill/Beauchemin. Or maybe Bryan Murray for not dressing guys like Neil and Phillips for a Leafs game. Or maybe the NHL for scheduling so many Battle of Ontario games in the pre-season, yet refusing to revert back to eight meaningful games. They obviously know these battles are good for business.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions

It sounds like you’re toeing the line of trolling

by MapleLeafMole on Sep 30, 2010 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Tomato, tomahto with some people, I guess. I personally see a difference between snarky dissent and trolling, a word whose meaning has lost all focus recently. But that’s me.

Yotes Lover mischaracterized my comparison of Rosehill’s unwillingness to fight Fisher to Neilitis, with a perceived attack on Beauchemin. So I responded with a clarification of my earlier assertion.

I’m not sure I see where trolling comes into play here, except maybe in my original comment, directed at PPP, in what I think he knew to be a playful and contributing manner.

Lumping everything in with trolling not only discourages discourse, but it marginalizes the truly offensive aspects of actual trolling.

What kind of content would I be bringing if my comments consisted exclusively of toeing the Leafs line? I’m a hockey fan first, a Senators fan second, but also a fan of this site, and even a fan of the Leafs. Call me an asshole, but please reserve the troll label for those who actively seek to get banned or offer no redeeming commentary.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions

With your history I didn’t mistake it for trolling. All in good fun.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

And these BoO games are truly that – good fun.

I like how you guys villainize Neil or Alfredsson, almost as much as I like defending them. I get far fewer kicks out of arguing over whether Kaigorodov was a hack with someone like Travis (which is not to say that that can’t be fun, too), but what gets the blood boiling is a good ol’ Leafs – Sens tilt.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions

indeed, the trolling dig was a might out of line, you have been round here for a while and have been nothing short of a positive contribution to any conversations i’ve seen.
On to the Rosehill V Fisher deal.
I see it like this, Fisher came flying at Rosie who was not entirly prepared, took a stick to the face and was thrown off balance. I have no doubt Rosie would have taken Fisher to fist town had he gotten the chance, I mean the kid is fighting for an NHL job and his specialty is the fist talk. but the thing is once he had his balance recovered there was a dog pile complete with zebras. And then of course everyone went “What the fuck? Kovalev is fighting? this shit I gotta see”
and it was that.

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions

You cannot overestimate the Wow factor of a Kovalev fight.

I bet a Premiere Series in Jerusalem that featured such a bout would do more to halt the fighting there, than anything Hillary might bring to the table.

Carrie now worries for the health of her hubby, in the next meeting.

October is actually the month when it counts (though I guess we play again in November, so there’s that).

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

frankly I am kinda surprised there wasn’t an Orr / Carkner tilt last night, they had their chances
If anything it shows them both as consummate professionals, saving the show for when it matters and can help their teams the most.
I expect some wars this year

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

As much as I’d like to see Carkner get a chance at retribution, I’m hoping Lessard figures out what he can bring to the team, and allows Carkner to remain in the rotation for the full 60 minutes.

Our shutdown defence, such as it is, cannot afford to lose Carkner for 5 minutes a game.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Lessard has the crazy portion of being a good heavy weight down, I’ve never seen him fight someone of NHL caliber nuckle dusting though so I have no idea if he is actually good enough to hang with the big boys.
As for needing Carkner on the ice and not wanting him in the box for 5, thats how we feel about Schenn or Komi fighting

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Lessard may be a little top-heavy, actually (just ask Komisarek and Pierre McGuire about his balance). Having not played higher than the AHL in four years makes him a question mark, but I’m hoping he gets recalled for all Leafs games, to suit up in lieu of Shannon.

As for comparing Carkner to Schenn or Komisarek, we Sens fans can only hope. I’d be happy with Beauchemin-level defensive skills (ecstatic, actually), but outside of Washington, the Sens rely on a guy like Carkner for shutdown minutes more disproportionally to his talent than any team in the league. (There’s got to be at least two grammatical errors there, but I don’t feel like backspacing).

Other than a huge lapse on the first PK of the night, when he and Cowen both missed their assignments, I like what I’ve seen out of Carkner so far this year. Time will tell if going with the George McPhee model of 16 forwards and 2 defencemen an be successful for the Sens.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions

indeed, I more compare Carkner to Schenn and Komi in his importance to team defence. I stand that both Leaf players are superior defensive peices, but Carkner is just that important to the sens back end, especially after the losses of Volch and Sutton,

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

You’re not trolling, and didn’t say you were…merely “toeing the line”. Close but still onside. Everyone forgot how to read apparently
That’s fine and I’m not concerned with your comments here as a problem.

by MapleLeafMole on Oct 1, 2010 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

hmmm…..looks like I may have misused the term “toeing the line”….nothing to see here folks my mistake. My intention was definitely to say – close but not actually doing so. My bad.

by MapleLeafMole on Oct 1, 2010 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions

Dude, you’re not asshole….You were doing a good job of getting your point across, being snarky and not being a trolling jerk. Maybe I should have said – good work.

by MapleLeafMole on Oct 1, 2010 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions

I hated the 8 games in the division thing – doesn’t create rivalries and really biases the final points standings.

Should not be playing 39% of your games against 13.8% of your possible opponents.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Sep 30, 2010 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions

That’s easy for us to argue in Ontario, but in other Divisions, gate receipts for Divisional games far outweigh the so-called Conference rivalry games.

I have very little need to see Florida come to town twice per year, but an owner like Ed Snider has actively sought to replace those second Panthers visits with additional Pens/Rangers/Devils visits.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I am more interested in having the teams see the biggest variety of competition to make the standings at the end of the year justifiable.

Just because some teams can’t draw flies unless they are playing some sort of rival is not really my concern. If a market can’t sustain a variety of opponents for 82 games – and the market is not evolving towards this – than the team needs to be moved.

Just my opinion.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Oct 1, 2010 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Fisher is a tough customer. I’m surprised he opted for cross check to lips instead of some punching. I actually think Rosehill would have his hands filled with Fisher in a scrap,.

I’m loving Orr this pre-season. He is a top two if not best fighter in the NHL and he has no interest in scrapping until points in the standings are at stake or somebody qualified to take a crack at the belt steps up.

The Sens really lack overall team toughness. Neil and Carkner can fight and like I said Fisher has that Shanahan thing going on where he can really go when he wants, but otherwise it’s a real soft line-up that the Leafs should take advantage of all season.

by The Muppet on Sep 30, 2010 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

I loved Holzer taking a run at Carkner. The announcers were joking afterwards “Did he know who he just took a run at?” We all know Carkner gets speedbagged by Orr but Holzer should check his life insurance before trying to pick a fight with someone like him.

"That’s why stats are so important – anecdotal evidence just doesn’t cut it when you’re talking about history." - Bower Power

by The '67 Sound on Sep 30, 2010 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Mueller gets all the attention ’round these parts, but for my money, Holzer is the better find.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Holzer was a JFJ draft pick a few years back, wasn’t he?

Bobby Ryan...can he be acquired?
blurr1974: No.

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 30, 2010 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Now I look like I was dissin’ on Burke, don’t I?

Well played, sir.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Holzer was a draft choice, Mueller was a “free” acquisition

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think I was seduced by the awesomeness of his first name and forgot that he cost a draft pick.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Sep 30, 2010 5:29 PM EDT up reply actions

indeed, having that name on the roster was worth the price of the pick alone

Rule #20

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 30, 2010 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions

That was a fun game to be at.

I really believe that kulemin’s going to score 30 this year. That was a highlight reel of a shot, and he’s been a scoring machine this preseason. He seems to be finally getting that Russian goal scorer’s attitude—maybe he wants to make more money next contract.

Also, Kadri looked great.

by Ben Schnell on Sep 30, 2010 2:10 PM EDT reply actions