Leafs Fall In Shootout

by JP Nikota on Dec 19, 2011 10:38 PM EST in Game Recaps

Earlier tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs lost 3-2 in a shootout against the Los Angeles Kings, with Dustin Brown scoring the only goal after overtime. The Leafs, in picking up a consolation point, avoided losing three straight regulation games, but are now only one point ahead of The Winnipeg Jets for the final playoff spot.

James Reimer had an impressive outing, stopping 40 of 42 shots, and 15 out of 16 shots in the second period, when the Leafs were largely dominated.

It's no great surprise that L.A. managed to strike once out of five times on the power play, though at the same time, with the Leafs' penalty kill being as abysmal as it is (73.2%) killing 4 out of 5 penalties is actually an improvement.

Scoring for the Leafs were John-Michael Liles and Matt Frattin, in the first and third periods, respectively. Liles had a number of good scoring chances throughout the game, and it's great to see Frattin finally starting to cash in on a chance or two. Notching an assist on Frattin's goal was the poor Nikolai Kulemin, who still only has 12 points on the season.

The other news item that emerged tonight that is bound to garner some attention is that Colby Armstrong kept the fact that he has been diagnosed with a concussion a secret from his coaches. From The Globe and Mail reporter Dave Shoalts via Twitter:

Screen_shot_2011-12-19_at_10

It's been another tough season in terms of injuries for our friend Colby, and I can imagine his injury track record is going to seriously affect his capacity to land another decent NHL contract when this one expires. This, of course, means that the Leafs will call up another player, as Jonas Siegel also confirmed:

Screen_shot_2011-12-19_at_10

I can't help but wonder if a winger going down means that Nazem Kadri gets another chance to shine with the big club, though Joe Colborne will likely garner at least some consideration.

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MOAR COLBORNE

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 19, 2011 10:40 PM EST reply actions

I’d like to see Kadri again, I wanna see what he can do/learn playing with Connolly.

by lucc on Dec 20, 2011 10:10 AM EST up reply actions

He will learn the ancient art of sploding.

At least it's not Lebda.

by Nifty Mittens on Dec 20, 2011 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Poor Armstrong ugh

Being a Leafs fan makes me bipolar.

by BlindSight on Dec 19, 2011 10:41 PM EST reply actions

Has anyone tried quantifying why our record is so much better with him in the lineup? Because to me in the time he’s been here, I can’t point to anything and say “yeah he’s an impact player there”. Injuries aside, he hasn’t impressed me as a Leaf.

by lucc on Dec 20, 2011 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

Heresy!

…But I completely agree

by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Dec 20, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions

Last season

One of the Leafs’ biggest failings was the lack of scoring from the third and fourth lines. Armstrong made a difference there because he can score a little bit (in fact, he was third on the team in points per 60 minutes). He was also the only forward not on the Grabovski line to have a positive Corsi REL (meaning the Leafs’ Corsi was better with him on the ice than off).

Basically Armstrong was the Leafs’ depth last year; when he was healthy they had it, and when he wasn’t they were at best a two line team.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Dec 20, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

according to sportsclubstats.com, the Leafs will still make the Playoffs, but will have to face Boston.

#carefulwhatyouwishfor

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Dec 19, 2011 10:46 PM EST reply actions

I’d take a brutal 4-and-out against Boston if it meant playoffs. Baby steps.

See my earlier analogy of how a guy in a dry spell would take 10 seconds of unsatisfying sex just to end said spell.

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 19, 2011 10:56 PM EST up reply actions

See my earlier analogy of how a guy in a dry spell would take 10 seconds of unsatisfying sex just to end said spell.

analogy, or personal anecdote?

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Dec 19, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

4 and out will add more to the fire wilson chants.
the team will look outclassed and that will reflect oln wilson righty or wrongly.

by jeffgm on Dec 19, 2011 11:13 PM EST up reply actions

Considering I’m dating a Bruins fan, it couldn’t be any more unsatisfying than the hockey….

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 19, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think you wanna mention the “4 and out” analogy too often though.

She may just say, “4 and through.”

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:36 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Now THAT’S a rec

99% of player salaries are payed out to only 1% of players. #OccupyNHL
I'm a Twitter twat.

by MLS on Dec 20, 2011 12:50 AM EST up reply actions

Still a long way to go, have to avoid long flameouts. Losing to LA is not good, though. When is it ever? Hope Armdog gets healthy is time.

by dsciswe on Dec 19, 2011 10:50 PM EST reply actions

I’ve seen those words before, but arranged in this manner, they seem a little bit off ….

Are you sure you didn’t mean that we still have a long way to go, and as long as they don’t experience too many protracted losing spells, the Leafs are in the mix. And also that this Kings game should have been a winnable one, but alas, losing a game is never a good thing. Also that Colby Armstrong’s return will hopefully come before it’s too late, and that the Harper government would never allow the CBC to air a game featuring such a concussion, since not only have Rogers and Bell both allowed stories in support of the Wheat Board AND gun control to reach the airwaves, both broadcasters also aired ads paid for by the Libs and New Dems.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Dec 19, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

...

… ?
…

by SlickWill on Dec 20, 2011 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

I don't follow all the details

but reference cat makes references.

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. Experiencing cheering whiplash for decades..

by Wan Ihite on Dec 20, 2011 6:25 AM EST up reply actions

"we"

one of us.
one of us.
one of us.

RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter

by Bower Power on Dec 20, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

As weird as this may be, I think Zigomanis is the best option. No, he’s not superman as Cherry seems to think, but I’d say anything with a shred of defensive responsibility is welcome right now.

well, that escalated quickly

by aelanK on Dec 19, 2011 11:01 PM EST reply actions

Wilson is around for how long?

With no commitment from the team past the end of this season and the team under new management/ownership rapidly seeing another playoff-less season why is he still here?

We can all look at the possibility of the 8th position but lets be honest, we’ve been down this road before – missing the playoffs by 4 points and looking back at nights like tonight and saying “if only we had beaten ______”.

Even an interim coach pushing for better PK, etc etc. has to be something that might make the difference over the last half of the season.

So. Damned. Frustrated….

by jerrytodd on Dec 19, 2011 11:10 PM EST reply actions

I take issue with your use of the word rapidly.

I think the descent from 8th-place to 9th-place will be as slow and gradual as one would expect of a 4-month slide from 8th to 9th.

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Dec 19, 2011 11:15 PM EST up reply actions

Is it bad that I wish we had homers for our intermissions and in more of our broadcasts?

Having watched a ton of FoxSports broadcasts, I’ve seen no other team with commentators or intermissions people that harp on the team as much as the Leafs have (see Healy, Gleen and Cox, Damien)

I love Bowen, but I want a whole broadcast team full of unapologetic homers… When the Leafs lose I don’t want to have some guy on tv harping on the team ala Healy

by Chi-town leafs on Dec 19, 2011 11:16 PM EST reply actions

Bowen gets on my nerves.

“Holy Mackinaw” needs to be almost completely removed from his lexicon.

Not followin' @JPNikota on Twitter? Oh, you better believe that's a paddlin'.

by JP Nikota on Dec 19, 2011 11:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It just needs to be reserved for Leafs goals… he uses too often on saves

by Chi-town leafs on Dec 19, 2011 11:28 PM EST up reply actions

Flagged for “Holy Mackinaw!” hate. I wish Likely would do a “Holy Mackinaw!” shirt.

Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!

by CanadianMaple09 on Dec 19, 2011 11:30 PM EST up reply actions

I’m excited for the day “to the line but not out” is removed from his vernacular.

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 19, 2011 11:34 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

but only when describing the Leafs zone… although I suppose it’d be removed completely when he doesn’t even get a chance to say it for the other team since the puck’s always in the back of their net

by SlickWill on Dec 20, 2011 12:48 AM EST up reply actions

I’d like for “on the off side” to be only used when something happens on the other side of the ice. When a player is offside, he’s just offside. He isn’t “on” it.

…since we’re complaining about Bowen’s annoying phraseology…

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Dec 20, 2011 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

Heretic.

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

Non-believer.

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

Heathen.

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

Likely secret Habs fan.

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:38 PM EST up reply actions

HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!

HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
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HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY FUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
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HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!
HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!! HOLY MACKINAW!!!!!

I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.

by not norm ullman on Dec 19, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 9 recs

Rec'd for HOLY MACKINAW

And HOLY FUCK

99% of player salaries are payed out to only 1% of players. #OccupyNHL
I'm a Twitter twat.

by MLS on Dec 20, 2011 12:52 AM EST up reply actions

Bowens first words as a child were “holy mackinaw”.
True story

At least it's not Lebda.

by Nifty Mittens on Dec 20, 2011 12:41 AM EST up reply actions

Moar Jack Edwards anyone?

by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Dec 20, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions

Bowen and Millen were legitimately drunk last night.

They went a full two minute stretch just giggling like four year olds and were completely oblivious to the game.

I’m actually quite sad the Leafs lost Bayak to the Jets now.

Cynically Sarcastic
Сертыфікаваны Grabbo Палюбоўнік

by clrkaitken on Dec 20, 2011 9:08 AM EST up reply actions

Welp, I’ve gone ahead and started a blog titled ‘To The Line But Not Out’.

Goes live January 2012. I’ll let you know more details then.

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 19, 2011 11:44 PM EST reply actions 3 recs

MOOAR BLOGS!

Contains the correct levels of Truculence....

by SydDave on Dec 20, 2011 12:32 AM EST up reply actions

LOL

Top google search results for “To the line but not out” are all Leafs-related. Le sigh.

http://goo.gl/nZhA9

No one ever suspects the butterfly...

by Caleafornia on Dec 20, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Fingers crossed for Kadri getting the jump up.

At least it's not Lebda.

by Nifty Mittens on Dec 20, 2011 12:25 AM EST reply actions

Kadri getting crossed up for the Fingers Jump

by Spezzal Teams Playa on Dec 20, 2011 12:38 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

He looks like he’s hiding something in his shirt.

Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!

by CanadianMaple09 on Dec 20, 2011 2:02 AM EST up reply actions

Is he pregnant, sneaky, happy, or wellwoody?

Glory glory Man United, AND the other MU, AAAAnd the Leafs. Experiencing cheering whiplash for decades..

by Wan Ihite on Dec 20, 2011 6:29 AM EST up reply actions

It’s just his sports gut.

… he trusts it.

This space for rant...

by fair_n_hite_451 on Dec 20, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

WHEW

managed to get a point. could have been way worse.

/captain obvious

Also, i think the referee brotherhood hates us. :(

...............................
Frattin ain't easy.

by OffTheChest on Dec 20, 2011 12:49 AM EST reply actions

jealous of Bozak and Kate Upton

NOBODY like that ever goes for the refs… :’(

by SlickWill on Dec 20, 2011 12:49 AM EST up reply actions

hahah it’s like a, it’s a miserable market for the goalie. i don’t know, like right now it’s like i’m very into the universe.

...............................
Frattin ain't easy.

by OffTheChest on Dec 20, 2011 1:35 AM EST up reply actions

But, the ladies when they see it, they tell me, is so HUMANGOUS BIG. But, compared to solar system, and to galaxy….is so small!

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 20, 2011 2:18 AM EST up reply actions

So what's the deal with that non offside call?

Since Sportsnet is fucking awful at showing replays, I never got to see the actual play up close. They showed the second part of it where the puck is close to being out but isn’t, but the point where Doughty first gets the pass is where I thought the offside was. And since the legion of referees hate us, of course LA has to score on that play.

Anyone get a closer look to see whether it was offside or not?

99% of player salaries are payed out to only 1% of players. #OccupyNHL
I'm a Twitter twat.

by MLS on Dec 20, 2011 12:53 AM EST reply actions

Yes, the play is clearly offside. I could tell immediately on my 20inch, non-HD TV, and the resulting replays proved me right.

Anyway, this is a new low. We always knew the refs hated us, but now the linesmen are out to get us as well!

by MrSmithy on Dec 20, 2011 12:55 AM EST up reply actions

The position of Doughty’s stick, to my mind, left absolutely no doubt that the puck crossed over the line. Generally linesmen are quite good at making that call, I’m actually surprised how badly they missed that one.

I've been looking at the sky

by Back In Black on Dec 20, 2011 12:58 AM EST up reply actions

Guy was not on the blueline to make the call.

by TheCeej on Dec 20, 2011 12:21 PM EST up reply actions

they finally showed a good replay in the 3rd that showed it clearly over the line the first time. Before that they kept only showing the 2nd time was dangling the puck near line which it didn’t go over.

by Nigel Cadbury on Dec 20, 2011 1:07 AM EST up reply actions

Very offside. Cost us the game imo.

At least it's not Lebda.

by Nifty Mittens on Dec 20, 2011 1:20 AM EST up reply actions

it was. linesman fucked up. whatever.

No more moral victories, no more excuses. Put up or shut up.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Dec 20, 2011 6:02 AM EST up reply actions

One of the more pathetic non-calls this year. There was about 4-6 inches of white ice between the puck and the blue line. Even Doughty stopped skating for a bit because he expected a whistle.

by lucc on Dec 20, 2011 9:39 AM EST up reply actions

I am not feeling the love from Shootouts either

as my team lost in OT SO as well.

Bryz cant stop a single freaken puck at all ! All 3 freaken shots from the Ave’s went in the net ! GOSH he stinks at shootouts !

F|73RR08 The fan and artist formally known as FLYERROB ~ I do not advocate to be the comments of any fan base or any NHL Team but rather my own individual self ~ if that upsets you - Sorry. ~ Lori Wilson Gray ~ April 07th 1967 - May 27th 2011 ~ Bob Wilson JR. ~ July 03rd 1944 - November 06th 2011 ~ ~ I love you Sis & Dad !

by FLYERROB on Dec 20, 2011 1:45 AM EST reply actions

NET SO HUMANGOUS BIG, BUT PUCK…IS SO SMALL….

TWEET AT ME BRO
Leaf fan for life! (No, really. They gave me a no-trade clause when I was born.)

by FiftyMissionCap on Dec 20, 2011 2:21 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

LOL

Ohhh even though I am a fan and your ripping my goalie I have to Rec that !

by FLYERROB on Dec 20, 2011 11:28 AM EST up reply actions

If you don’t read that in a Russian accent – and then giggle afterwards.. then I don’t want to know you.

"You have to learn the rules of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else."

Albert Einstein

by Say *plan the parade one more time*... on Dec 20, 2011 6:19 PM EST up reply actions

Ranked by record in last 10 games

1 BOSTON 8-2-0
2 PHILADELPHIA 7-2-1
3 FLORIDA 6-2-2
4 NY RANGERS 6-3-1
5 NEW JERSEY 6-4-0
6 WINNIPEG 6-4-0
7 NY ISLANDERS 5-3-2
8 PITTSBURGH 5-5-0
9 BUFFALO 4-4-2
10 OTTAWA 4-4-2
11 WASHINGTON 4-6-0
12 MONTRÉAL 3-4-3
13 TORONTO 3-5-2
14 TAMPA BAY 3-7-0
15 CAROLINA 2-6-2

by jeffgm on Dec 20, 2011 1:59 AM EST reply actions