YYZ
Well-known member
Back in a Wild Card spot!!
Blue Jackets vs. Leafs - Oct. 20th, 7:00pm - SN
- Thread starter CarltonTheBear
- Start date
L K
Well-known member
5-4-2 How crazy 48 hours can change how the season looks.
There are a lot of flaws but there are paths to this being a good team if they can take care of the beatable teams like this
There are a lot of flaws but there are paths to this being a good team if they can take care of the beatable teams like this
4EVRLEAFAN
Active member
3 points out of first in the East, Go Leafs!!
herman
Well-known member
I was looking over the game and looked at the first goal on Stolarz
nhl.com
At the end of the video, they remark that they think the shot got deflected (apparently off MacEwen's stick)
I went thru it freeze framing step by step and I think they are correct (not 100% positive but it looks like it to me). It appears to hit the shaft of MacEwen's stick and went upward some - not lots but enough.
It was a pretty good velocity wrist/snap shot from 34 ft with Stolarz out about 6 feet. Stolarz glove was up some - in a good position to minimize the amount of travel it would have to go if he shot high - which he did.
But Stolaz only had about 12 one hundredths of a second to adjust to the deflection and move his glove higher.
Under those circumstances, I don't think that shot was as stoppable as it looked. It was a bit of a knuckle ball that went up with very little time to adjust and move.
Christiansen snaps in game opener | NHL.com
Jacob Christiansen gets a pass in the high slot and fires a beautiful shot past the goaltender, giving the Blue Jackets the 1-0 lead at home
nhl.com
I went thru it freeze framing step by step and I think they are correct (not 100% positive but it looks like it to me). It appears to hit the shaft of MacEwen's stick and went upward some - not lots but enough.
It was a pretty good velocity wrist/snap shot from 34 ft with Stolarz out about 6 feet. Stolarz glove was up some - in a good position to minimize the amount of travel it would have to go if he shot high - which he did.
But Stolaz only had about 12 one hundredths of a second to adjust to the deflection and move his glove higher.
Under those circumstances, I don't think that shot was as stoppable as it looked. It was a bit of a knuckle ball that went up with very little time to adjust and move.
herman
Well-known member
It’s good they’re giving him some rope on PK as well with his motor and nose for the net off the rush. He and Denver Barkey lit up the opposition on PK in junior.
He still has those iffy touch passes that are easy turnovers but they’re fewer and farther between now. He’s so good at just chaining plays in all three zones.
He still has those iffy touch passes that are easy turnovers but they’re fewer and farther between now. He’s so good at just chaining plays in all three zones.
herman
Well-known member
Great game from Stecher, who I still firmly believe plays with too long a stick for any useful puck handling.
I think the 86-20-88 line, or some variant with 53 mixed in from time to time should be the new L2 going forward. 92-91-15 should be the sheltered L3 when Tavares returns.
I think the 86-20-88 line, or some variant with 53 mixed in from time to time should be the new L2 going forward. 92-91-15 should be the sheltered L3 when Tavares returns.
YYZ
Well-known member
I think he looks like a pole vaulter skating around with that stick.
Hiller seems to like him
Berube gave him a long leash.
The long stick is him doing whatever he has to to hang in the league - to help make up for his smaller size. Sure is isn't great for stick handling but he's ok at moving the puck.
On a Cup contending roster, he's probably a 6th at best
If he helps our team win, I don't care what he looks like.
He's kind of an underdog. I have to pull for that.
There were lots of positives coming out of that game.
I was most pleased for Rifai - getting his opportunity and scoring that goal.
He's a good guy and has tried so hard. He deserved the callup after his performance last year. Nice to see him get a little recognition.
Cowan complimented his skating which I haven't had a problem with.
When I was looking at Lagesson, I said to myself "we kind of already have one of those: Rifai as he's a lefty too" With McCabe, Rielly and OEL as lefties, it is hard to imagine him sticking beyond being a 7th. OEL played well last night so maybe they'll be ok together. Hope so.
I was most pleased for Rifai - getting his opportunity and scoring that goal.
He's a good guy and has tried so hard. He deserved the callup after his performance last year. Nice to see him get a little recognition.
Cowan complimented his skating which I haven't had a problem with.
When I was looking at Lagesson, I said to myself "we kind of already have one of those: Rifai as he's a lefty too" With McCabe, Rielly and OEL as lefties, it is hard to imagine him sticking beyond being a 7th. OEL played well last night so maybe they'll be ok together. Hope so.
dappleganger
Well-known member
OEL having a sneaky good season so far this year.
dappleganger
Well-known member
Yes, Leafs seem to be better than the Sharks and Blue Jackets of the world, teams lighter on skill and not physically imposing. I imagine the Leafs will struggle against teams that can match skill and with a more intense forecheck.
Leafs might have found the secret sauce with the Cowan - Matthews - Roslovic line.
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YYZ
Well-known member
Agreed. He's got a great attitude and loves playing for the Leafs. His smaller stature has probably unfairly limited his opportunities over the years. It's just comical because the first thing I notice when he's out there is smaller guy skating around with a stick probably more suited to Zdeno Chara.
L K
Well-known member
that was a great game from Stolarz. I appreciate the breakdown on the 1st goal because on first glance it looked like another play where the big goalie went down low and gave up too much of the net but the deflection explains it pretty well. He was solid the rest of the way. I do think its noticeable that both Bob and Stolarz go out of the net a lot to disrupt dump ins.
Cowan clearly took a step in the offseason. There are definitely flaws in his game still. He tries to make Junior level touch passes too much and I think he overthinks in the offensive zone at times but he's clearly a glue player with top 6 abilities and those players are always going to be incredibly valuable.
The 4th line has more of an identity. Its clearly creating opportunities, that being said, I do think Hiller is overrelying on them as the game goes on. Duhaime/Blueger/McEwan/Groulx have 0 points in 11 games. They seemed to spend a lot of their time stuck in the defensive zone in the 3rd. I don't get why Hiller keeps going back to shell hockey.
Cowan clearly took a step in the offseason. There are definitely flaws in his game still. He tries to make Junior level touch passes too much and I think he overthinks in the offensive zone at times but he's clearly a glue player with top 6 abilities and those players are always going to be incredibly valuable.
The 4th line has more of an identity. Its clearly creating opportunities, that being said, I do think Hiller is overrelying on them as the game goes on. Duhaime/Blueger/McEwan/Groulx have 0 points in 11 games. They seemed to spend a lot of their time stuck in the defensive zone in the 3rd. I don't get why Hiller keeps going back to shell hockey.
herman
Well-known member
B2B games of Nylander drawing the goalie’s attention for a kid to score
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