> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Are These Leafs For Real? - URL: https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/maple-leafs-news-are-these-leafs-for-real/ - Published: 2011-11-01T11:02:07.000Z - Updated: 2011-11-01T11:02:07.000Z - Author: J.P. Nikota - Tags: From The Branches, #chorus, #Import 2023-04-05 11:15 Well, let's get one thing clear: they are not. There are, of course, elements of their play so far that are encouraging, and [James Mirtle looks at both sides of the coin in his latest article.](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/leafs-beat/are-these-leafs-for-real/article2220487/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220487) > | Key numbers: Why they're winning | | | | > | -------------------------------- | ------- | ------- | ---------- | > | | 2010-11 | 2011-12 | Difference | > | Goals per game | 2.60 | 3.18 | 0.58 | > | Goals against | 2.99 | 3.18 | 0.19 | > | Goal differential | \-0.39 | 0.00 | 0.39 | > | Shots per game | 28.8 | 27.4 | \-1.4 | > | Shots against | 31.0 | 31.5 | 0.5 | > | Shot differential | \-2.2 | \-4.1 | \-1.9 | > | Shooting pct | 9.0% | 11.6% | 2.6% | > | Save pct | 0.904 | 0.899 | \-0.005 | > | Power play | 16.0% | 17.6% | 1.6% | > | Penalty kill | 77.4% | 72.3% | \-5.1% | Read on many more links after the jump. **Leafs Links:** [10 reasons why Leaf fans can be genuinely encouraged 10 (11, really) games into the new season](http://vintageleafmemories.blogspot.com/2011/10/10-reasons-why-leaf-fans-can-be.html?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Michael Langlois at VLM likes a number of things going on this year. This is a good counter-balance to James Mirtle's post, I suppose. [It’s Halloween, So Let’s Rank Hockey’s Top 5 Scariest Hitters](http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2011/10/31/its-halloween-so-lets-rank-hockeys-top-5-scariest-hitters/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) If you can't guess who number one is, you're probably Stephane DaCosta. From Justin Bourne at Backhand Shelf. [The story behind the Battle of Ontario](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/the-story-behind-the-battle-of-ontario/article2220557/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220557) Bad blood between the two teams dates all the way back to a 1904 Stanley Cup encounter. Sort of. By Roy MacGregor at the Globe. [October 31 News and Notes](http://theleafsnation.com/2011/10/31/october-31-news-and-notes?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Robert Cleave posts a few thoughts around the Nation Network. This link from The Leafs Nation. [James Neal vs. Phil Kessel - The Uber Early Rocket Richard Race](http://www.pensburgh.com/2011/10/31/2527188/james-neal-vs-phil-kessel?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Go tell FrankD at Pensburgh what's going to happen, here. **Other Hockey Links:** [Backhand Shelf Podcast with Rob Pizzo and Justin Bourne](http://blogs.thescore.com/nhl/2011/10/31/backhand-shelf-podcast-with-rob-pizzo-and-justin-bourne-2/?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) I confess to not having heard this yet, but Justin Bourne is usually thoughtful, so give it a listen. From Backhand Shelf.\\ [Sharks overwhelmed by Rangers in second period, lose 5-2](http://www.fearthefin.com/2011/10/31/2528610/sharks-overwhelmed-by-rangers-in-second-period-lose-5-2?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Recap from Mr. Plank over at Fear The Fin. [Ilya Bryzgalov, the Flyers and the Philly Media](http://www.broadstreethockey.com/2011/10/31/2527148/ilya-bryzgalov-media-philadelphia-flyers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) If you've heard about this Bryzgalov-isn't-speaking-with-the-media-on-game-days controversy but haven't actually bothered to read anything about it, this should be your starting point. From Travis Hughes at BSH. [In a War of Machines Versus Animals, Jets Confuse, Bewilder Panthers 4 to 3](http://www.arcticicehockey.com/2011/10/31/2528624/in-a-war-of-machines-versus-animals-jets-confuse-bewilder-panthers-4?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) [Jets](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/winnipeg-jets?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) versus [Panthers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/florida-panthers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) recap from Bettman's Nightmare at AIH. [Crosby out until at least Nov. 11](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/crosby-out-until-at-least-nov-11/article2220342/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220342) The title pretty much says it all. The team doesn't even have a targeted return date for Sid, yet. From Alan Robinson of the CP at the Globe. [Coyotes’ Torres taking heat for Halloween costume](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/coyotes-torres-taking-heat-for-halloween-costume/article2220221/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220221) Boy, this caused a stir on Twitter yesterday. Bruce Arthur was beside himself. Yes, [Raffi Torres](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/players/54918/raffi-torres?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) painted himself brown to look like Jay-Z for Hallowe'en, but it was nothing like the "[blackface](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com)" that people keep referring to, as it displayed none of the caricature, mockery, or steretyping that defines the old racist tradition. It may have been ill-advised as a choice of costume, since Torres is something of a pubic figure, but ultimately, he is a man who wanted to look like Jay-Z because he thinks Jay-Z is cool, end of story. Feeling pretty done with this story, but have at it if you must. [Matt Read for the Calder Trophy? Could happen](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/globe-on-hockey/matt-read-for-the-calder-trophy-could-happen/article2220034/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220034) It's early, but James Mirtle (as well as Bob McKenzie) thinks that Read could pull it off. [Red Wings, Kronwall agree on seven-year extension](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/red-wings-kronwall-agree-on-seven-year-extension/article2219986/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2219986) Most of you probably already saw this, but the Wings gave him $33.25 over 7 years. From Larry Lage of the AP at the Globe. [Devils remove Martin Brodeur from IR](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/devils-remove-martin-brodeur-from-ir/article2220029/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220029) Just in time for him to turn in a lights-out performance against the Leafs on Wednesday. From the AP at the Globe. [Rangers could have Sean Avery back in lineup this week](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/rangers-could-have-sean-avery-back-in-lineup-this-week/article2220175/?utm%5Fmedium=Feeds%3A%20RSS%2FAtom&utm%5Fsource=Hockey&utm%5Fcontent=2220175) He's been placed on re-entry waivers by the [Rangers](http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/teams/new-york-rangers?ref=pensionplanpuppets.com), but who would touch him? He'd have three teams paying him. That's sloppy thirds, folks. (Just kidding, I'm well aware that in this case, thirds is a good thing, because a new team would only have to pay 25% of his contract.) From the AP at the Globe. [More Stars Bankruptcy](http://www.mc79hockey.com/?p=3950&ref=pensionplanpuppets.com) Are you into legalese and the inner-workings of a hockey team? Tyler Dellow has a post for you!