Leafs-Sabres Recap and Notes

by JP Nikota on Sep 23, 2011 10:08 PM EDT in Game Recaps

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For Joffrey Lupul's birthday, Ron Wilson decided to ice a team made up of most of the Leafs' regulars. The Lupul-Connolly-Kessel line looked dangerous, the MGK line was effective as usual, and Nazem Kadri showed us how to stick handle in a phone booth.

That the Leafs lost doesn't disappoint me too much, since it was a solid effort that saw the Leafs out-shoot the Sabres 34-33, with Ryan Miller putting up a wall on a few occasions to preserve the win.

James Reimer looked solid in net, and made a number of key saves, despite not getting much work in the second period, when the Sabres were limited to only 4 shots. I wouldn't pin either goal on him.

Jake Gardiner played 21:32, and looked very confident. He made safe plays, jumped into the rush at appropriate times (ARE YOU WATCHING, DION!?) and didn't take any dumb penalties.

Matt Frattin looks like he can play with the big boys, but it's going to take some time with the Marlies before we can determine whether he's a second or third-line player. He was the extra attacker that Ron Wilson put out in the final minutes of the game with Reimer pulled, and has been getting opportunities to shine, without producing much in the way of either disappointment or impression.

Team Clown Colton Orr took a stupid penalty early in the game and was generally useless from there on in. At this point, I just can't see how he's important enough to the success of this team to be on the opening night roster, but then, I won't be surprised if he's there anyway. At least if we only have one useless player dressing regularly this season, it'll be an improvement. Small victories.

Strange story: with only 22 seconds left in the third period, there was a scrum in the Sabres crease that started when Clarke MacArthur careened in for a loose puck and bumped Miller. It wasn't a dirty play, but Patrick Kaleta took the easy opportunity to make it a bigger issue. I'm not sure what on Earth happened, but somehow, John-Michael Liles wound up pulling Nathan Gerbe's jersey over his head.

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My game notes: http://theleafsnation.com/2011/9/23/sabres-2-leafs-1-strong-showing

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by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2011 10:11 PM EDT reply actions

Good recap.

I’ve never noticed it before, but Sittler looks a lot like Alex Trebek.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Sep 23, 2011 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions

TAKE IT BACK!!!!

Not liking the Habs since 1959.

by not norm ullman on Sep 23, 2011 11:09 PM EDT up reply actions

So Kadri or Frattin at this point?

by scott tubbesing on Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Kadri. Not to take anything away from Frattin.

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by Chemmy on Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

If Armstrong goes down with an injury I think Frattin gets a call to replace him

by Nigel Cadbury on Sep 23, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Touch wood dude. We don’t want Cheese going down.

I had something really clever to say here. But I forgot.

by daoust on Sep 23, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions

The Leafs never win with Cheese gone

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 11:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Definitely Kadri. I agree with Chemmy that the kid deserves a shot on the 1st line. Let Lupul play with Bozak and Army.

Visit my blog at: http://50-mission-cap.blogspot.com/
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by FiftyMissionCap on Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Kadri by a mile. Kid is working it.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Hopefully he leaves the standing toe-drags in the pre-season though, otherwise I’ve loved his game

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I feel like we’ll probably see them a couple more times. But hey, you take the good with the bad. They’ll disappear over time.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 23, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Watching him do that spin-o-rama pass to himself around the Sabre player moments before that was breathtaking, kid’s god nifty mittens

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

kid’s god nifty mittens

Can’t decide if this is a typo.

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

by Wan Ihite on Sep 24, 2011 6:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Definitely a typo

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 24, 2011 6:54 AM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

Kadri

Frattin’s been good, but Kadri is ready

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Kadri.

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Kadri only because he is further along and got some big league experience last season.

Frattin and colburne will play for the Marlies but the second someone is hurt or suspended its one of them comming up. take your pick.

by Jt Malley on Sep 24, 2011 2:47 AM EDT up reply actions

Great game by the Leafs. I liked the first line and MGK a lot. If that’s how our top line is looking, I’ll be happy.

But, still, I can’t stress this enough: Fuck Miller.

Also, I’m pretty stoked that my WHL team, the Victoria Royals, is hitting the ice for its first ever game as we speak!

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 Sep 23, 2011 10:12 PM EDT reply actions

Fucking Ryan Miller

It’s freaking pre-season, why can’t you and your lopsided face give us a break

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:13 PM EDT reply actions

hopefully using up the good games in the preseason

by Nigel Cadbury on Sep 23, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry guys I shouldn’t have swore in the title there, I’m not even really mad about this game

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m still pissed the GWG came off a PP from Patrick Kaleta being a little bitch, not gonna lie. Not that the Leafs lost as much as it was a great game that should have been decided by anything but that.

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 Sep 23, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I was looking at my phone when Franson took that penalty. As soon as I heard “Leafs will be shorthanded late in the game” the first thing that came to mind was a Patrick Kaleta dive

I hate being right sometimes.

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Is sending Orr to the marlies politically not possible being Burke signed him?

by jeffgm on Sep 23, 2011 10:14 PM EDT reply actions

I’d use him as the typical 13th forward to bring out against tough, physical, fighting teams….and, of course, the Sens.

Actually, scratch that. I think I’d just leave him to play all 6 games against Ottawa and say fuck the rest.

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 Sep 23, 2011 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Basically

Burke will want to save face by keeping Orr up with the Leafs. Orr’s never been a healthy scratch despite being awful and I doubt Ron Wilson starts sitting him now

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I don’t remember Wilson always playing his enforcer in San Jose when he was there.

by Nigel Cadbury on Sep 23, 2011 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions

That enforcer probably wasn’t signed to a multi year million dollar one way contract

Don’t get me wrong, I love seeing Colton Orr punch a guys face as much as anyone, but he’s becoming less and less relevant as the Leafs improve. His presence in the lineup isn’t stopping players from running guys like Gardiner because these players know they can escape Orr or bait him into taking a dumb penalty in retaliation. That’s what happens when you’re terrible at anything but fighting and your top speed falls somewhere between “dead turtle” and “retarded glacier”

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:39 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions 3 recs

I just spit up beer at your description of Orrs skating speed. Thanks alot.

by TheCeej on Sep 23, 2011 11:10 PM EDT via iPhone app up reply actions

This board makes me do that at least once a night

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 24, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Rosehill is a way better for the role of enforcer. Colton Orr is slow and gets knocked out every five fights.

by 6rick6 on Sep 23, 2011 10:40 PM EDT up reply actions

I HAD TO MISS THE GAME TO SOCIALISE WITH FRIENDS. RAAAAGE.

Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed President of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub
GET WELL SOON, SID
Now a twit

by Leafer87 on Sep 23, 2011 10:20 PM EDT reply actions

SOCIALIZE*

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
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by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions

I’M CANADIAN. IT’S SOCIALISE.

Certified Grabbo lover & self-appointed President of the Colby Armstrong Fanclub
GET WELL SOON, SID
Now a twit

by Leafer87 on Sep 23, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn communists!

History. Leafs. Drawing. In no particular order!
My Portfolio

by CanadianMaple09 on Sep 23, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions

If you’re canadian, it’s S-O-C-I-A-L-I-S-M.

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 23, 2011 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Hate to tell you, but the COD has it as “socialize” with no variant listed.

Back in my box now, I know the drill.

Oh, I'm sorry, just one moment. Is this a five minute argument or the full half hour?

by Nirbo on Sep 24, 2011 8:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Jake Gardiner: stay or go?

I think he’ll be lost in the numbers game even with his preseason, and AHL time won’t hurt him (especially getting 25+ min with the Marlies), but I’d say you could expect him to crack the Leafs roster as soon as Jan. 2012 depending on injuries, etc.

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 Sep 23, 2011 10:21 PM EDT reply actions

He’ll be sent down to the AHL and will be the first guy called up when both of Phaneuf’s kneecaps explode halfway through November

Sometimes it seems this cycle never ends, we slide from top to bottom then we turn and climb again.
Stoik_Leafs Twitter

by Chris Stoikoff on Sep 23, 2011 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions

He’ll be the first call-up from the Marlies with the preseason he’s had. I love his game!

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I’d honestly say once he’s called up, he’s not going back down.

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 Sep 23, 2011 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions

Yup Kid looks really legit.

by Goosemonster on Sep 24, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Gardiner

While I thought he was one of the more underrated prospects last year, some of the main knocks against him was his hockey sense and defensive play. While I thought the criticisms of his defensive display were somewhat overblown (after watching a few games of him last year), I did see the issues with his hockey sense (especially in the offensive zone, where he would often look lost out there, missing multiple opportunities and such). This preseason, his defensive play has improved, but what has impressed me the most so far is his hockey sense. I’ve never seen him rush the puck so often with such confidence, including last year, and anticipate the play in the offensive zone. A year with the Marlies should help his game tremendously, and he’s a very interesting prospect to watch.

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 11:02 PM EDT reply actions

he gives us that 4th forward we were really looking for. He’s real good at jumping into plays/rushes.

by Goosemonster on Sep 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Also

Is it bad for me to say that Frattin somewhat reminds me of Raffi Torres?

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 11:07 PM EDT reply actions

.

Reimer should not be afraid of the pucks. The pucks should be afraid of Reimer.

"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

by Frag on Sep 23, 2011 11:21 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

I love this.

Where my heart belongs - GO LEAFS GO!

by rift valley on Sep 23, 2011 11:58 PM EDT up reply actions

I rec'd this Frag !

That is an AWESOME SHOT ! Love it ! COOL ! He looks like he is straining to make the save ! Look at the intensity on his eyes !

I love the Maple Leaf Logo visible on the puck too. !

FLYERROB ! YOU STAY AWESOME FLYERS FANS ! ~ ~ ~ Lori Wilson Gray ~ ~ April 07th 1967 - May 27th 2011 ~ May you rest in Peace ~ I love you and miss you big Sis ! I cant believe at 44 yrs of age .. you went to sleep and never woke up. I promise to take care of Matt and Emily for you. With Love, your baby Brother.

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Someone needs to photoshop laser beams into his eyes, incinerating the puck with his glare.

by Goosemonster on Sep 24, 2011 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions

That would be awesome.

by transmogrifier on Sep 24, 2011 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions

from what I saw

Reimer played good tonight. But I didn’t like the 2nd goal. He sat and watched the puck for too long without reacting.

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 24, 2011 12:12 AM EDT reply actions

No.

Reimer played well.

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

by JP Nikota on Sep 24, 2011 3:02 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Not sure he sat and watched the puck. Pretty sure he made the first save and it went way up in the air. I think he just lost sight of it, and by the time he found it, it was on its way to the net….

"Pass to the Left, Cause the Right is Wrong!!"

by LeafsLaughToo on Sep 24, 2011 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty sure he lost sight of it after the 1st shot, and Phaneuf couldn’t cover his dman without a stick, didn’t have time to get over once he figured out where it was.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 24, 2011 7:50 AM EDT up reply actions

watch it in slow-mo. He knows exactly where the puck is when it lands, and his head seems to track the puck quite well.

I’m not saying it was a horrible goal.

Move along. Nothing to see here...

by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Sep 24, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions

A Haiku:

Leafs looking solid.
Fuck Miller and Kaleta.
Wow Jake Gardiner.

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 Sep 24, 2011 3:42 AM EDT reply actions

Demoting Gardiner is probably the “right” move but it’s hard not to appreciate his game right now.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 24, 2011 7:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m so excited that he’s forced his way into the conversation.

by doggit on Sep 24, 2011 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Great Haiku !

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 8:22 AM EDT up reply actions

/slurp slurp

Y'all Heard About Me, You Just Didn't Know It was Me

by JaredFromLondon on Sep 24, 2011 8:41 AM EDT up reply actions

no thanks ~ I use wet wipes

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Toronto Is Young.
Appear Strong and Fast.
Great Goaltending Too.

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Relative Corsi front page of globe sports? The Brad Pitt effect. Im sure the link will be Im ftb when it goes up.

by Leaf in Habland on Sep 24, 2011 7:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Mirtle has been an advocate of advanced stats for years. Moneyball is just making it relevant to bring up again.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 24, 2011 7:52 AM EDT up reply actions

Doubt James has any say on what page his articles end up on, but yeah, he’s way ahead of the curve and has been for years.

by doggit on Sep 24, 2011 8:00 AM EDT up reply actions

Ha, Ron Wilson gets grumpy with semantics on his post game over which line should be called the “#1 line”

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 24, 2011 7:58 AM EDT reply actions

Allot of coaches hate to say “This is our first line and this is our second line.”

SO I understand why.

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 8:01 AM EDT up reply actions

I tend to agree with him. And the guy pushing the point, talking about “prize free agents”, kind of a tool.

by doggit on Sep 24, 2011 8:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Still at the end of the day it's semantics

Even in daily conversation, if you said “Leafs top line” you’d assume it was Lupul-Connolly-Kessel, because the “top line” is typically wherever the best player is.

Just like, regardless of who is playing with who, the “top line” in Ottawa would be wherever Spezza is playing, “top line” in Buffalo is wherever Vanek is playing, etc. It’s not just the Leafs.

A bit of a trickier situation in New Jersey – since both Kovalchuk and Parise are LWers (and like to play that way), which line is the “top line”? Kovalchuk’s or Parise’s? tricky tricky.

Chicken Little is dead. Long Live Positive Pete.
Lebda-free since July 3.

by nhlcheapshot on Sep 24, 2011 8:21 AM EDT up reply actions

I get you. I see your point of view. If I was a head coach I would however not name my lines Numbers 1,2, & 3

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 8:23 AM EDT up reply actions

Boston is tricky too:

Is Bergeron or Krejci the top centre? Bergeron takes on the tough assignments, Krejci leads the main scoring line.

by samspade on Sep 24, 2011 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I’d assume the person was referring to LCK because most people go based on rosters they see online or on tv. Informed fans realize that MGK controls possession better, sees tougher opponents, and typically has better results than any of Kessel’s lines last year (considering who he was playing with, not really his fault, of course!).

Having said this, I know that could change in a hurry. And I agree with your assertion that it’s just semantics and RW should get over himself and talk about hockey :p

by doggit on Sep 24, 2011 8:51 AM EDT up reply actions

The point he was making was more than semantics, though. He was pointing out how MGK are, at this point, a better line (and were for all of last year as well). He’s saying that using labels like “1st Line” based not on production but on expectations or weird understandings of status is stupid and unhelpful. I thought he was pointing out that it’s not a super smart way to think about the team. I can totally understand how a coach would want to work against that sense of entitlement and status.

Come get your duds in order...

by The Bag on Sep 24, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

~

Thanks for expressing what I was finding a loss of words to express. I have noticed this on a few teams. Sometimes your “2nd Line” is the one that produces more points than the “1st Line”. Labeling a 1,2, or 3, tends to leave the impression of how much production is required and when the “2nd Line” produces more than the “1st Line” then reporters and fans start asking… “Hey whats wrong with the first line ?!” When in fact their may be nothing at all wrong but since that question is asked it now Implies that their is a problem and it can psychologically mind screw people and now your “1st line” isn’t even producing what it was before.

by FLYERROB on Sep 24, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions