Game 18 - Yotes @ Leafs - 11-15 - 7PM SportsNet

[GhostofPotvin29]

While the goaltending is a problem, we still have all of 0 goals in half the game.

We've been having trouble scoring and it persists. You don't win unless you score, and we ain't been doing that lately.

I think a lot of people would argue that getting shaky goaltending so early in a game has an impact upon other aspects of the game, such as scoring, even if it is hard to quantify.

 

[TML fan]

Kulemin should be benched. I think next to Dupuis he's been the most useless guy out there all season.

Oh c'mon, that's just not true. He's struggling but he hasn't been that bad.

Who's been worse? Frattin? Sure, but he got sent down. Watch Kulemin's lazy stick check the next time he's "battling" for a puck. Useless.

I've seen most of his career, I don't agree with you, at all.

I was watching a couple of shifts and didn't think he looked lazy at all. I'm actually very confused as to where you're seeing this.

There was a play where he had an opportunity to throw a hit on the defender and possibly cause a turnover. He went in with a lazy stick check and the defender was able to get the puck out. Hes one of the biggest guys on the team and for the most part this year he hasn't played like it. Combine that with the fact that he's doing nothing offensively and that's why I think he's been the most useless player next to Dupuis.

 

[Bender]

When do people start saying it's the goaltender's fault. When their SV% is below .800? .700? I mean, honestly. 2/3 shots went in. The first he should've saved as he was in position but blew the save like Raycroft.

Secondly, he made an idiotic play and was screened due to a dumb play. Decent goaltending would have it at a 0-0 game.

If Phoenix had our goaltending we'd be up 4-0 by now.

Seriously. If the Leafs had even had average goaltending over the past few weeks, we wouldn't at all be concerned about another November swoon, and we'd probably be patting our backs about being fans of a team up near the top of the league standings.

Like I mentioned in an earlier thread, Minnesota is a good comparison. If we had Backstrom goaltending we wouldn't even have a problem.

 

[Bender]

Kulemin should be benched. I think next to Dupuis he's been the most useless guy out there all season.

Oh c'mon, that's just not true. He's struggling but he hasn't been that bad.

Who's been worse? Frattin? Sure, but he got sent down. Watch Kulemin's lazy stick check the next time he's "battling" for a puck. Useless.

I've seen most of his career, I don't agree with you, at all.

I was watching a couple of shifts and didn't think he looked lazy at all. I'm actually very confused as to where you're seeing this.

There was a play where he had an opportunity to throw a hit on the defender and possibly cause a turnover. He went in with a lazy stick check and the defender was able to get the puck out. Hes one of the biggest guys on the team and for the most part this year he hasn't played like it. Combine that with the fact that he's doing nothing offensively and that's why I think he's been the most useless player next to Dupuis.

Dupuis has been one of our best PKers.

 

[Deebo]

They do nothing but shoot the puck off the rush at an unscreened goalie. No passing, no traffic just weak attempts on goal.

 

[bustaheims]

While the goaltending is a problem, we still have all of 0 goals in half the game.

We've been having trouble scoring and it persists. You don't win unless you score, and we ain't been doing that lately.

I think a lot of people would argue that getting shaky goaltending so early in a game has an impact upon other aspects of the game, such as scoring, even if it is hard to quantify.

THat, and Smith is playing very well so far. I mean, it's not like the Leafs haven't been able to generate any chances - it's more the guy at the other end of the ice, who has been one of the best in the league so far this season, is playing very well.

 

[Bender]

The Kessel line is as good as any line in the league right now. I feel like they get at least half a dozen top notch scoring chances every game.

But Dave Tippet's system is impervious! I bet Mike Smith is making saves because Dave Tippet enchanted him with a spell of fortification.

 

[TML fan]

Most of his career isn't this season.

...and I've watched every game this season.

Then I guess you don't agree. Oh well!

 

[bustaheims]

But Dave Tippet's system is impervious! I bet Mike Smith is making saves because Dave Tippet enchanted him with a spell of fortification.

That's it! Fire Wilson and hire a warlock! All the Leafs' problems will be solved!

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Maybe the replay will say otherwise, but how is that a penalty?

 

[Bender]

While the goaltending is a problem, we still have all of 0 goals in half the game.

We've been having trouble scoring and it persists. You don't win unless you score, and we ain't been doing that lately.

I think a lot of people would argue that getting shaky goaltending so early in a game has an impact upon other aspects of the game, such as scoring, even if it is hard to quantify.

THat, and Smith is playing very well so far. I mean, it's not like the Leafs haven't been able to generate any chances - it's more the guy at the other end of the ice, who has been one of the best in the league so far this season, is playing very well.

This!

Everyone's talking about how Dave Tippet plays an amazing system, but we're getting some glorious chances on Smith. Could it be that Phoenix is the beneficiary of good goaltending?? No, it's Dave Tippet being a genius. Fire Wilson.

 

[pnjunction]

Dupuis has been one of our best PKers.

Yesterday I took one of the nicest smelling craps I've ever had.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

While the goaltending is a problem, we still have all of 0 goals in half the game.

We've been having trouble scoring and it persists. You don't win unless you score, and we ain't been doing that lately.

I think a lot of people would argue that getting shaky goaltending so early in a game has an impact upon other aspects of the game, such as scoring, even if it is hard to quantify.

Yeah but they haven't been starved for chances though. Kessel could have 2 G if not more tonight, it's just nobody's been able to finish (I'm not blaming Kessel but his chances are the most obvious).

 

[Deebo]

Weak.

 

[TML fan]

Kulemin should be benched. I think next to Dupuis he's been the most useless guy out there all season.

Oh c'mon, that's just not true. He's struggling but he hasn't been that bad.

Who's been worse? Frattin? Sure, but he got sent down. Watch Kulemin's lazy stick check the next time he's "battling" for a puck. Useless.

I've seen most of his career, I don't agree with you, at all.

I was watching a couple of shifts and didn't think he looked lazy at all. I'm actually very confused as to where you're seeing this.

There was a play where he had an opportunity to throw a hit on the defender and possibly cause a turnover. He went in with a lazy stick check and the defender was able to get the puck out. Hes one of the biggest guys on the team and for the most part this year he hasn't played like it. Combine that with the fact that he's doing nothing offensively and that's why I think he's been the most useless player next to Dupuis.

Dupuis has been one of our best PKers.

Our PK is dead last in the league. That doesn't tell me anything.

 

[pnjunction]

No no Lupul you've got to wait until he comes out of the crease and nail him as hard you can to avoid that penalty

 

[Deebo]

No no Lupul you've got to wait until he comes out of the crease and nail him as hard you can to avoid that penalty

Lucic got a penalty.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

While the goaltending is a problem, we still have all of 0 goals in half the game.

We've been having trouble scoring and it persists. You don't win unless you score, and we ain't been doing that lately.

I think a lot of people would argue that getting shaky goaltending so early in a game has an impact upon other aspects of the game, such as scoring, even if it is hard to quantify.

Yeah but they haven't been starved for chances though. Kessel could have 2 G if not more tonight, it's just nobody's been able to finish (I'm not blaming Kessel but his chances are the most obvious).

But it's not solely a Leafs issue - I'm sure a Phoenix fan is loving Smith's strong play.  His stats bear out that he's been pretty great this year, so I don't think it's just a Leafs thing.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

That was an awful penalty to call.

 

[Bender]

See? There's a save that an NHL calibre goalie should make. If it went in: "HE WAS SCREENED! It's the D's fault!"