Maple Leafs 4 - Thrashers 3 (SO): I <3 Lupul
by PPP on Oct 20, 2011 9:30 AM EDT
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I already wrote my peaen to Phil Kessel at LeafsNation so I won't bother you with anything beyond pointing out that he has points in 15 straight NHL games and that Ovechkin is a big dumb smelly head. However, the other half of the dynamic duo is looking pretty strong as well.
I won't lie. When Lupul came to Toronto last year in the Francois Beauchemin trade, my heart had been hardened by years of reading bitter Oilers fans carving up his play and explaining in excruciating detail why he only succeeded when all factors were stacked in his favour. Maybe that is what he will ultimately become but he had a pretty good run last year to end the season and after an off-season that saw him return in, by all accounts, phenomenal shape Lupul is off to a hot start on the best line in hockey.*
*5 games in.
There were flashes on his chemistry with Kessel last year as he put up 9-9-18 and proved to be a little bit more than a salary dump. James Mirtle noted as much:
There were many pundits out there who saw Joffrey Lupul as merely an expensive salary dump (read: Chemmy) when he landed in Toronto in February, a high-priced player coming off a terrible injury who the Toronto Maple Leafs took on as a way to land prospect defenceman Jake Gardiner.Twenty-five games into his tenure as a Leaf, however, Lupul has found a role, scoring eight goals and adding eight assists while playing on a line with Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak.
Of course, there is the obvious caveat that he's only been a Leaf for 33 games (and 25 points) but I guess that's the benefit of really low expectations. Plus, he really makes the Leafs a lot more handsome. They don't call him Zoolander for nothing. His two goals last night veered from the sublime to the hilarious but on the scoresheet they all count the same. His stats would also be much better if not for a few incredible robberies for which we have seen no goaltender apprehended despite plenty of witnesses.
His first goal was actually a good example of what he needs to do now that Kessel is incandescent: find open space, wait for a pass, don't screw up. They are getting gift-wrapped for him and he needs to stock up for the winter.
Lupul Cares Not For Your Camera
Game In Six
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How many people on the first goal yelled “OH FOR FUCKS SAKE LUPUL” at first?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole and a proud member of the PPPPP
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
I do like Lupul’s apparent reaction to that goal.
“What? Of course the puck’s in the net. What did you think was going to happen?”
I've been looking at the sky
by Back In Black on Oct 20, 2011 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
it looked like it hit the post it as it was so quick to pop back out. I was thinking damn he’s gonna get roasted on here again about missing an open net.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 20, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
I sure did, in fact “OH FOR FUCKS SAKE LUPUL” has been yelled pretty much every game in my house. He’s been getting a lot of chances, and I’m happy he’s starting to put those chances into the net.
"The Passion Continues..."
by WendelMadeMe on Oct 20, 2011 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions
The funny thing is even though he’s burying his chances now, he’s blowing just as many golden ones.
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 11:36 AM EDT up reply actions
probably should be tied with Phil for goals based on his missed shots
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 20, 2011 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions
You can’t bury them all. He is shooting at 22%. His highest NHL shooting percentage was 15.15% in the 23 games before he broke his back a couple years ago.
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
Oh I know, it’s just amazing how many times he’s blown an empty net or incredible scoring chance and he’s STILL shooting at 22%.
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
FWIW, the missed chances don’t count as shots so they don’t bring down the SH%
by Bobby Paradise on Oct 20, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions
You know, I was thinking about this the other day, shouldn’t we count shot attempts for calculating shooting%? We do it for CORSI?FENWICK to make it more accurate, so why not for SH%? You would think the data would be better.
I’ve done some stuff with fenwick or corsi shooting percentage. Corsi, fenwick and shots are very highly correlated so for most players it isn’t going to make much difference. If I recall, Vanek was notoriously bad for missing the net more frequently than most.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Behind the Net does track SH% for shots + missed shots.
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull
by Draglikepull on Oct 20, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions
we’re also including where he’s had an easy opening and the goalies stopped it, either by making an actual save, or he shoots it into them.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 20, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Granted, but my flawed and biased recollection is mostly of many shots wide, over the net or off the post.
by Bobby Paradise on Oct 20, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions
oh he’s had a few of those too. he’s also shot it directly into th pads a few times instead of getting it up a few feet.
by Nigel Cadbury on Oct 20, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Relevant:
Minister of Obscenities - Armstrong Fan Club
by A Lindros Jaw on Oct 20, 2011 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Me for one
Just without the Lupul part
@muellercleez
by Muellercleez on Oct 20, 2011 3:47 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
He’s better than MacArthur IMO.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 10:16 AM EDT up reply actions
Lupul’s Leaf stats prorated over 82 games gives him 32 goals. Not too shabby. I am not surprised though, his HARO+ ratings have been quite good over the past 4 seasons, his on-ice shooting percentage has been well above average and he has had a PDO above 1.13 each season.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 10:16 AM EDT reply actions
Lupul said during training camp that he wanted to be a 30 goal scorer this season… the way he’s playing makes that statement pretty realistic
by Dirty Dangle on Oct 20, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
he scored a huge OT series winning goal for the Flyers against the caps, he was really good in Philly
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
What is this HARO+ you speak of?
by theninjagreg on Oct 20, 2011 11:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
It’s part of my player rating system. HARO+ is his offensive rating. See details at stats.hockeyanalysis.com.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh HARO
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 9 recs
This is the best thing I have ever seen on PPP
AMERICA FUCK YEAH!
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
LICK MY BUTT AND SUCK ON MA’ BALLS
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course Edmonton fans are bitter
They traded Pronger for him and he had the worst season of his career there at 23. He was much better the year before and after (both on different teams). He didn’t succeed there and cost them a lot so they’re bitter…
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
plus also
they’re bitter because they live in Edmonton
We should send someone over to remind them that at least they’re not in Ottawa.
i’d rather live in Ottawa than edmonton, Edmonton REALLY sucks
plus toronto is still a reasonable drive from Toronto or the East coast, which rules
Edmonton isnt a reasonable drive from anything interesting
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 20, 2011 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
First game I watched with a PVR, it took twice as long to watch because I had to replay that Lupul goal about 50 billion times.
Some sloppy plays at the beginning, Komisarek is terrible, but happy with the outcome. Exciting game to watch.
What Was That Number?
Anyone remember the comments about winning faceoffs equaling 1 pt per season?? Could it be argued that Steckel faceoff wins last night in the third period got the leafs the point for the tie?
he won the faceoff that created the kessel goal
by scrambles the death dealer on Oct 20, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions
Considering the Leafs breakout on the powerplay is horrendous as they barely gain the offensive zone, I’d say Steckel giving us possession on the PP is worth a point or two
by Dirty Dangle on Oct 20, 2011 10:47 AM EDT up reply actions
100% agree. His faceoff ability got them zone possession for those two pp goals. I give him credit for 2pts in the standings bc if he doesn’t win those 2two draws, forget overtime
@muellercleez
by Muellercleez on Oct 20, 2011 3:50 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So I was in the can during that first goal, taking a dump (read: doing a Chemmy.) And when I came back out, the Siamese Swedish Stewardesses I had over to watch the game were all over each other themselves themself, and the shapely little things (36:24:36:36) had kicked my beer onto the carpet (read: done a total Chemmy!!!)
Anyhoo, while I was rewinding and watching (and wow!!! etc.), I look back up (at the game) and see that Lupul has broken the camera. And what do you know BANG!!! POW!!!, at that exact same moment, the girl(s) kick over OUR camera (read: done a complete whackadoodle Chemmy)!!! Was I pissed! And then… so excited!
Like…. doubly excited.
And also…. LUPUL! (who is still zero for Chemmy this season.)
R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.
by not norm ullman on Oct 20, 2011 11:00 AM EDT reply actions
Damn.
My (read: Chemmy) meme has failed. Died on the launchpad.
R.I.P. (read: Chemmy.)
R.I.P. The playoff hopes of Montreal Canadiens fans for 2011-12.
by not norm ullman on Oct 20, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
…. has the sould of FLYERROB entered your body or somethin?
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
S
Schenn needs to sit tonight. Love the guy, but his head is up his ass right now and were way to deep on D to carry any underachieving players.
He won’t. He’ll play through.
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I think Komi needs to sit. As bad as Schenn’s been, Komisarek has been worse. Komisarek also seems to get rattled easily, and then his mistakes start multiplying.
The plural of "anecdote" is not "data".
Internet Champ. I'm on Twitter too! - draglikepull
by Draglikepull on Oct 20, 2011 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s true. It may be related to me missing a lot of each game (pacific time zone and all), but I have not seen Komi be nearly as brutal as last year. There is a lot more positive to his game. He’s physical. He’s making some really solid decisions, stuff that’s not flashy and goes greatly unnoticed.
The brain cramps I suppose are still there (penalty last night that led directly to a goal), but hasn’t Schenn been worse, overall?
I don't buy it
Komi looked terrible last night, but up until last night Schenn has looked worse.
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
I don’t think Schenn has looked so bad at all. He’s been a little more aggressive and taken some penalties, but he hasn’t been horrible. The fact that Gunnar has been so reliable, and Gardiner has been a revelation have pushed him down the depth chart a bit, but I don’t think he’s been that bad for a 22-year-old defenceman.
Komi should sit, but not because he was so bad, just to give Franson another go. Last night was Komi’s only real bad game though, and you could tell he got frustrated after the first penalty and tried to do too much. Then he took another, and then his night was done. If he just calms down and goes back to basics, he’ll be ok.
by Leaf in Habland on Oct 20, 2011 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Schenn has been extremely slow (I constantly see him letting the forward get ahead of him and he ends up chasing him), he is making bone headed passes, and he can’t clear the zone. He has looked BAD and his ice time has reflected that.
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
yep, Schenn and Grabbo seem to be slow starters for whatever reason
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Ehh, Grabbo’s game without the puck hasn’t been terrible.
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
for sure, jsut like last season. It took him 13 games I think to get his 1st goal but he was playing realllllly well aside from that. The media was ripping grabbo (Doug MacLean) and saying hes barely a 3rd liner or some shit.
I heard a whole bunch of calls to hockey central at noon defending grabbo, saying the goals will come hes playing too well. This is kinda similar
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
after Kane crushed Gardiner against the end boards I was glad to see Komi get him with a hip check, its just too bad that was interference… the guy is trying his ass off to prove he still belong in the NHL, he just seems to have a severe case of ‘tries too hard’.
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
That was a stupid play. We don’t need to go short handed on illegal plays.
Confused why people think Aulie is better than Gunnarson. Please ask me to explain
Certified Gunnar & Kule lover!
kane was realllly close to touching the puck though, that could have been a beauty hip check if the timing was just a little more accurate
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Schenn started last year the same way and by the end of October seemed to have found his groove.
We’re all tired of cliches but I suspect OLAS needs to keep it simple stupid.
Leaf related ulcers, 36 years strong, and growing.
by Halifax Hockey Hooligan on Oct 20, 2011 11:45 AM EDT reply actions
I guess some players just have a tendency to have slow starts. Maybe it takes Schenn longer to acclimate after a long offseason due to his limited mobility and slow foot speed? Or putting on extra weight in the offseason? Or both?
"We are all agreed that your theory is crazy. The question that divides us is whether it is crazy enough to have a chance of being correct."
- Niels Bohr
We’re all tired of cliches
I’m not, I love cliches.
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Cliches are the best thing since sliced bread
"I will actually score as many times as Kulemin assists me."
-Mikhail Grabovski
by MapleLeafMole on Oct 20, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
You really gave it 110% with that cliche.
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 Oct 20, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
It wasn’t pretty but we’ll take it.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
When we needed it, MapleLeafMole really buckled down, took the blog on his back, and came up with the cliche effort we needed to get the two points.
This space for rant...
by fair_n_hite_451 on Oct 20, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
MapleLeafMole certainly brought his ‘A’ game today, but with that comes big expectations. He has got the monkey off his back but he can’t rest on his laurels going forward.
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by HockeyAnalysis on Oct 20, 2011 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Mind=Blown
"I will actually score as many times as Kulemin assists me."
-Mikhail Grabovski
by MapleLeafMole on Oct 20, 2011 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s a cliched expression
"I will actually score as many times as Kulemin assists me."
-Mikhail Grabovski
by MapleLeafMole on Oct 20, 2011 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Suggested game thread headline:
Kessel and Lupul: 11 goals.
Bruins: 10 goals.
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
I for one, am ready to embrace the "Luke Adam is our first line center" bandwagon.
by Ubiquitous on Oct 20, 2011 2:59 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Especially if you mean thats the number of goals the Bruins are going to score tonight because its probably close.
Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.
I like this plan: Leafs win 11-10, assuming no one else on the leafs bothers to score.
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
I for one, am ready to embrace the "Luke Adam is our first line center" bandwagon.
Plus, only allowing 10 goals might be doable for Gus. /badjoke
Original member of the Mike Weber bandwagon!
I for one, am ready to embrace the "Luke Adam is our first line center" bandwagon.
I’ll allow it
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
If the Leafs actually win 11-10 it will be the most ridiculous game of the year.
Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.
Until they play Ottawa again.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Oct 20, 2011 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Leafs are so confident they’re using a backup against th Stanley Cup Champions.
Can it before I drive this truculence through your faceulence and put you in an ambulance.
by Brunswick Bruiser on Oct 20, 2011 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions
“THANK YOU KES-SEL”
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
“What happens when an unstoppable force meets an unmovable object”
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
argh
*immovable
No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.
by nhlcheapshot on Oct 20, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
that better be Hogan vs Warrior from WM6
There is no "I" in team, but there is an "M" and an "E"
by Matt_Roberts on Oct 20, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Lupul has looked great.
He seems very healthy and is still only 28 im expecting alot from him this year 50+ points please.
funny story, they are still the thrashers, just in a different city wearing someone elses cloths
Resident Internet Tough Guy
by JaredFromLondon on Oct 20, 2011 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
I just realized this said Thrashers in the title, nice. Weird because in the TLN article I noticed that it said thrashers at one point in the text right off the bat.
Flugenweb, space code, twit zone, ass mode, check ze tweets.
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