Can't Complain About This One
by JP Nikota on Jan 19, 2012 10:28 PM EST
in Game Recaps
Email
Print
For all the hand-wringing over the lineup alterations made by Ron Wilson before tonight's game, things went remarkably well. The Dion Phaneuf - Luke Schenn pairing wasn't on the ice for a goal against, Jonas Gustavsson nearly had himself a shutout, and both Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul found their respective ways onto the scoresheet (Lupul actually took over the Leafs' scoring lead with 51 points), despite being split up for the first time this season.
Now, as any sensible Leafs fan will be quick to point out, given the young average age of this team, things could certainly have gone another way. It's true that the Leafs were playing the Minnesota Wild which doesn't hurt, and we may see a completely different kind of effort put forth when Ron Wilson (likely) decides to go with a very similar lineup in the Leafs' upcoming game against the Canadiens.
For now, let's focus on some positives. Jump for more.
One encouraging statistic to point out is that the Leafs, for the second straight game, out-shot their opponents by a wide margin. Generally speaking, when we use things like Corsi or Fenwick numbers to assess a team, we only look at road games, but regardless of the fact that the game against Ottawa ended in a loss, it's still good to see that the Leafs have strung together two good efforts. (For the record, the Leafs' close-score, away Fenwick is 19th in the league. Hopefully this number improves.)
Another fun fact? With this 4-1 win, the Leafs' goal differential jumps back into the 'positive' column to a +2. It's only one indicator that suggests the Leafs have a good shot at the post-season, but I'll take all the good omens I can get. The Leafs still sit one point out of 8th place, but keep pace with a number of other teams also picking up points tonight.
Something that has escaped attention since Colton Orr was dropped to the Marlies is that the Leafs now have four forward lines that are capable of playing for 10+ minutes. The trio of Joey Crabb, David Steckel, and Mike Brown have proven themselves more than serviceable, and it's about time the Leafs have enough depth to put together a reasonable 4th line.
One last positive note comes from our dear friend James Mirtle, who found us this gem:
118 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Gem? You mean by the overrated, overpaid, who is actually a #3 at best #2 defenceman?
Fairweather fans can go to hell
Equal oppurtunity asshole and a proud member of the PPPPP
Follow me on twitter: leafer1984
Can you show me some self-created metrics that show me he really played awfully in that game?
by Chi-town leafs on Jan 19, 2012 11:15 PM EST up reply actions
the Leafs’ close-score, away Fenwick is 19th in the league
Thats good news to me especially, because last I read we were at 26th(!). That was going by Arctic Ice Hockey’s data, which Im guessing uses home and road.
Can't complaint about this one?
WATCH THIS
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
One MAJOR negative on the night, though.
Steckel got an assist. D:
by LeafInVancouver on Jan 19, 2012 10:35 PM EST reply actions
TWO POST GAME THREADS??
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 19, 2012 10:35 PM EST reply actions
I commented on the other one… refresh… I think that one disappeared.
Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!
by CanadianMaple09 on Jan 19, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions
still exists for me….
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 19, 2012 10:37 PM EST up reply actions
Look at me. Now look at your screen. Back to me. You’re on a boat.
Not followin' @JPNikota on Twitter? Oh, you better believe that's a paddlin'.
by JP Nikota on Jan 19, 2012 10:40 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
This comment is now diamonds.
I will stand beside him with an axe! @theninjagreg
by theninjagreg on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I’m on a horse.
Here's my attempt at a witty sig. Didn't really go so well, methinks.
Wise men wonder, while strong men die.
I thought I smelled cheap liquor and quiet desperation.
by LeafInVancouver on Jan 19, 2012 11:18 PM EST up reply actions
Also I've been holding on to this for a while
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
by Chemmy on Jan 19, 2012 10:45 PM EST reply actions 4 recs
Nacho libre look-a-like?
Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!
by CanadianMaple09 on Jan 19, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
motherfucker knows how to GET DOWN
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Self-portrait?
I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.
by not norm ullman on Jan 20, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions
amazing. i want to stop watching it but i can’t.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
to shoot rainbows out of your crotch? i had that idea, like, last week.
Charter member - Grabbo Lover's Union, Local 84
by Sergei Puckizin on Jan 20, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
I didn’t even realize there was a game tonight. Nice to come home, check the pool and see a W there.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
unrelated, but file under "God Bless America"
We stopped in at Applebee’s in Tampa for a quick dinner after spending the day at Busch Gardens. Me, my wife, and our 2 girls (ages 4 and 2). Our server greeted us with “Can I get y’all started with 2 for 1 pitchers of Coors Light??”. Of course, what better way to kick off a nice family dinner then with personal pitchers for mom and dad??
Despite declining that offer, as well as 2 for 1 Sam Adams draft, she did finally badger my wife into into 2 for 1 red wine. The best part is that they actually bring you out both glasses at once.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
you went to Applebee’s good work
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
There are no Applebee’s within 30 miles of me. I feel pretty good about that.
The First Certified Grabbo Lover
“As punishment for not knowing how perilously close to an Applebee’s you live, you must go.”
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Jan 19, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
I’d never been before. Sketchier than I thought, although the food was adequate.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
adequate? is that what kids do to you? if they serve you food an your kids eat it it’s ‘adequate’?
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 19, 2012 11:31 PM EST up reply actions
we ate garbage at the park today. i was pleased to get a salad that was edible. the kids had some pasta and broccoli. it was $40. adequate.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
i think the only time I ate at Applebees I choked it down because I had a big talk to give that afternoon, but i regretted it later because they gave me food poisoning.
i’m also a food snob though. not that i don’t like fast food. but i’d take mcdonalds any day over applebees.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 19, 2012 11:36 PM EST up reply actions
if we hadn’t eaten burgers/dogs/fries for lunch, I would have taken McDonald’s too. but like i said, it was surprisingly adequate.
And I’m sure if I had ripped on Applebee’s food you would have made a comment about me being bourgeoise or something.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
And I’m sure if I had ripped on Applebee’s food you would have made a comment about me being bourgeoise or something.
Hold on, this is an either-or scenario?
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Jan 19, 2012 11:42 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
as long as you don’t rip on the poor working classes who served you the food.
Move along. Nothing to see here...
by Van Ryn's Neurologist on Jan 19, 2012 11:45 PM EST up reply actions
You hate Applebees. And working people.
And Gus.
/ontoyou
I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.
by not norm ullman on Jan 20, 2012 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
Also loved the massive VASECTOMY billboards along I-75.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
Isn’t that stretch of 75 the worst road you’ve ever been on. It’s like a mile wide and lined with shitty palm trees.
The First Certified Grabbo Lover
The road’s in good shape and the traffic wasn’t bad at all. But yeah, pretty fucking boring. At least this morning you could see trees and stuff…. the drive home tonight reminded me of the drive between Windsor and London. Everyone was sleeping too, and I had no tunes on. The worst.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
Screw with the faders until it’s just the front left speaker, leave it on low, and anyone who can’t sleep over that probably isn’t really sleeping in the car anyways.
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
i’d have to do that, plus try to fuck with the stations until i found one that was playing something that didn’t drive me mental. too much effort. 3 hours of quiet reflection it is.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
Ain’t that bad. In college someone stole the CD player from my car and I went 2 years without replacing it.
The First Certified Grabbo Lover
I couldn’t do it. I don’t deal well with quiet time.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
Pascal really didn’t know shit, did he?
Fuckin’ guy should just shut up.
I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.
by not norm ullman on Jan 20, 2012 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Skynyrd. There’s always Skynyrd playing.
As there should be.
I shot a moose once, in upstate New York.
by not norm ullman on Jan 20, 2012 1:05 PM EST up reply actions
no music? i can’t even start a car until the radio is turned up to 11. my kids sleep through it.
Charter member - Grabbo Lover's Union, Local 84
by Sergei Puckizin on Jan 20, 2012 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Does that mean you are also unaware that
THE COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS SIGNED (!!) BRET FUCKING LEBDA TO A CONTRACT TO PLAY HOCKEY IN THE NHL ON THEIR TEAM!??!?!?!
by samspade on Jan 19, 2012 10:54 PM EST up reply actions 5 recs
Which is doubly impressive when you consider he wasn’t even in the arena.
by LeafInVancouver on Jan 19, 2012 11:02 PM EST up reply actions
They actually manage to make him sound like a good thing.
by LeafInVancouver on Jan 19, 2012 11:04 PM EST up reply actions
Apparently he’s so bad, the second ‘t’ left his first name.
Here's my attempt at a witty sig. Didn't really go so well, methinks.
Wise men wonder, while strong men die.
It’s pursuing a solo career under the stage name “Grey Earl”.
by LeafInVancouver on Jan 19, 2012 11:09 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Antropov with a highlight reel goal on Miller.
Pension Plan Puppets*
* Blog contains less than 2% puppet content by weight.
Fucking Sens score…1-1 now. SJ dominating the whole game, Anderson playing amazing…is this the way every sens game goes now?
San Jose needs to crush Ottawa!
1-1 in the 1st…
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
I haven’t actually watched any games, but I have Halak in my pools… based on the box scores, have the Blues turned into the 1999-2000 New Jersey Devils? 18 shot shutout the other night, 15 shot shutout tonight.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
I wonder how Hitchcock would do with the Toronto defence. St. Louis wasn’t that much better, it’s clear that he can get more out of some players than other coaches.
I’ve been on the “fire Zettler” bandwagon for a while. It doesn’t seem that he is getting results with the current system that is being employed. While others pointed out to me that the SJ defense was good while he was there, he may need a new approach to how this specific defensive group does the game. A good coach is not only one who can get results by employing a good system, but rather one who can adapt when they realize that the current system isn’t working with a specific group of players.
by gettingcozywithsarkozy on Jan 20, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
Well, hold on now. They only played the Oilers tonight, so…
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Jan 19, 2012 11:14 PM EST up reply actions
Hey now, they’ve made for some exciting hockey. The goal totals in Oilers games have gone way up in recent year. Everybody loves goals.
The First Certified Grabbo Lover
Exciting: “See who survives a stab wound today!”
RIP Former-and-forever Leaf Wade Belak
Me on Twitter
by Bower Power on Jan 19, 2012 11:23 PM EST up reply actions
LOL
James Mirtle
Joffrey Lupul: “More than anything, a three game losing streak fires you up.” Me: The Wild must be on the verge of spontaneous combustion.
As a Toronto sports fan I proudly follow the lessons of lachrymology.
"He drives that new car around town and feels really good about it." - Ron Wilson
"Vancouver, BC: A massive inferiority complex with a city." - TheOtherAndrew
"HOPE is more than a postponed disappointment" - Epica
and fucking ottawa up 2-1. being outshot 24-11.
That's "Da-ooo". I killed a turkey once, with a shovel.
i really, really don’t get how the sens are doing this. They were supposed to be 15th in the east this year. Them and Winnipeg.
This game they were getting heavily outplayed, Anderson bailed them out and Niemi didn’t help the Sharks out at all. Since it was 3-1 they have just been playing carefully to hold the lead
There was a stretch before Christmas where they were actually playing well, and Anderson was just pretty good. Now they are playing just ok but Anderson is on a roll. You have to think eventually things will come down a bit for them…of course we’ve all been saying that all season.
My only hope is that Khabibulin came down from his ridiculous beginning of season stretch. I don’t get how a defense with Phillips, Cowan, Kuba and Carkner. it mind bottling
I think all the magic dust that made the Lightning so good last year got blown up to Ottawa onto the Senators.
"We want to keep beating them...to break their pride and break their season...is a huge thing for us." - David Legwand
Anderson did that too in Colorado the one year that no one expected them to make it in and they did.
that’s the exact parallel i make between the sens and another team; the Avs of a couple years ago that played way over their head and snuck into the playoffs.
Charter member - Grabbo Lover's Union, Local 84
by Sergei Puckizin on Jan 20, 2012 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
Wow, Edmonton is 2nd last in the NHL. They could get potentially get 1st overall again.
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
minus a get.
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
by Joe Ferguson on Jan 20, 2012 1:00 AM EST up reply actions
every year, we’re all gonna be like “oh man, can you imagine a team with Hall, Eberle, Nugent-Hopkins, Yakupov, and the next years 1st?”
I think they should consider moving the 1st round pick.
Like their 1st round pick, Hemsky, and a 3rd for an all-star D-man. They really need one.
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
by Joe Ferguson on Jan 20, 2012 1:10 AM EST up reply actions
Ok-44 games in, how the fuck does Boston have a +71 goal differential? Seriously????
"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 Jan 20, 2012 1:10 AM EST reply actions
It is quite mind boggling. They are a pretty good hockey team I’ll give them that.
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
by Joe Ferguson on Jan 20, 2012 1:11 AM EST up reply actions
And with a goal differential like that, how are they not first in the league by a mile? (Albeit, they 1, 2, or 3 games in hand on every team ahead of them)
Riding the Leafs bandwagon since 1991.
Check out my art!
by CanadianMaple09 on Jan 20, 2012 1:12 AM EST up reply actions
Well they win a lot of games for by a blowout. So when they could when like 4-1, 5-0, like a normal team, they constantly win 8-1 and 7-0 bullshit.
Bleeding Blue and White since '88
Follow me @JoeyFerg for Leafs related info and other ramblings,
by Joe Ferguson on Jan 20, 2012 1:13 AM EST up reply actions
Boston truly loves ass-kicking their opponents when they are down. Humiliation is their fuel.
For me our losses to them this year have been the most frustrating games to watch. After every Boston game I have a ritual of watching Colton Orr cave in Lucic’s dumb face in last year’s scrap – it’s my post-Boston NyQuil. Screw those guys!
Your favorite non-Leaf team now features 110% more suckulence.
by Guy Dudeman on Jan 20, 2012 6:27 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Pension Plan Puppets
Related FanShots on Pension Plan Puppets
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- Why the Devils and the Kings are evidence the Capitals shouldn’t trade Alex Ovechkin
- Eulogy: Remembering the 2011-12 New York Rangers
- Stanley Cup Final: 5 keys for New Jersey Devils and Los Angeles Kings
- Friday’s Three Stars: Devils head to Final; Brodeur, Kovalchuk the difference in Game 6
- Devils eliminate Rangers in Game 6, ending fear of the past, setting course for the future
SBNation.com Recent Stories
StatCounter
