Thanks for the win, but...

by Skwiddles on Jan 7, 2011 10:07 AM EST

I just bought a new TV. A modest 42" flatscreen...quite the upgrade from the 20" grainy CRT I was viewing before. Managed to get it set up in time for the WJC game on Wednesday night.

But let's not talk about that.

Down 0-1 with my new TV, I didn't exactly have high hopes on getting back to 0.500, being that the Leafs had never beat the Blues at the ACC. They surprised me, though...and kept my hopes of an eventual winning record with my new TV alive.

Boy, did they ever surprise me. I mean, seriously...did they even WATCH the game from the night before? Did they hear about it? *sigh* I know a win is a win...and the extra point they lost matters not against a Western team, but still...

Despite popular belief, Jaroslav Halak was not 'chased' from the St. Louis net. It was a move to first, save Halak from his own team and second, to try and wake the team up. Halak was playing just fine, all things considered. There aren't many goalies who can stop a Phil Kessel wrister when he has the speed and time to put it wherever he sees fit (Ty Conklin faired no better). Colby Armstrong's goal was lucky, at best. Halak was simply hung out to dry in this game.

The Blues were also without three of their most offensively gifted forwards. I'm sure with Andy McDonald, Dave and T.J. Oshie they could have mustered one or two more goals, or even prevented a few. The Blues are a hurting club right now, and still managed to gut out a valuable point against a rather determined Leaf squad.

I realize I'm downplaying the Buds here...perhaps they deserved the win. Personally I think that if you can't preserve a third period three goal lead, you deserve nothing (except maybe a silver medal). The Leafs are far from being competitive, and even on the nights when they seem to dominate legit opponents, one has to wonder if there's a reason for it. There is...it's usually because that other team just isn't up to their usual selves on that particular night.

So, while I'm happy for the Leaf win, I'm really just content watching hockey in general on my new TV. I hope for numbers in the 'W' column, but will settle for entertainment...and last night was nothing if it wasn't entertaining.

One final note on Grabovski...aside from that lights-out goal that everyone's talking about...if memory serves, was he not publicly on the block last season? Now Burkie's apparently getting all kinds of calls for him. Ironic. Goes to show that sometimes picking up a player whose value is a little low at the time could pay dividends down the road. I'm sure a lot of teams out there would have loved to have given up a decent prospect or 2nd rounder for what Grabo's doing these days.

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Despite popular belief, Halak was not ‘chased’ from the St. Louis net.

I know what you mean in regards to his D letting him down, but he did let in 3 goals on 4 shots. He was chased.

aside from that lights-out goal that everyone’s talking about…if memory serves, was he not publicly on the block last season? Now Burkie’s apparently getting all kinds of calls for him. Ironic.

Fans were irrationally hating on Grabbo last season, he was never “on the block” I don’t think. Also I’m pretty sure you’re not using the word ‘Ironic’ correctly.

Goes to show that sometimes picking up a player whose value is a little low at the time could pay dividends down the road.

Yes, but sometimes their value just continues to drop. And drop and drop and drop. It’s up to management to decide whether or not a player’s value has “bent” or “broken”.

I’m sure a lot of teams out there would have loved to have given up a decent prospect or 2nd rounder for what Grabo’s doing these days.

True, but maybe this is one of those “non-deals” that people don’t notice much but TOR management did a good job.

20 miles to Legoland!

by nhlcheapshot on Jan 7, 2011 10:15 AM EST reply actions

The Leafs are far from being competitive, and even on the nights when they seem to dominate legit opponents, one has to wonder if there’s a reason for it. There is…it’s usually because that other team just isn’t up to their usual selves on that particular night.

The Toronto Maple Leafs – Getting good teams to play like shit 30+ times a year since 1967.

Certified Grabbo Lover

by SkinnyFish on Jan 7, 2011 3:05 PM EST up reply actions