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Game 3: Leafs at Penguins - TSN 7:00 PM

Working nights, I have to PVR games, so I'll rarely be involved in game time discussion. The result of this is the feeling all night in a game like this that the Leafs were going to get killed and waiting for someone to say as much.

Anyway, like the Sabres game, I'm happy when the Leafs put up a good effort and I thought they understood that if they weren't energetic tonight, they'd be finished.

I think Reimer played very well, reminiscent of his first year at times. The goals were half-weak, but they were also Malkin and Crosby point-blank on plays that were either broken up or involving a bouncing puck. The main problem I see now, and I noticed this last year, is that Reimer is pretty bad, and slow, at tracking the puck when an opposing forward is controlling it behind the net. It was very noticeable tonight, so hopefully that gets worked on. Overall though, Reimer was excellent.

Tough break with Lupul, but in reference to some posts I read here tonight, it wasn't Phaneuf's fault. He's shooting, Lupul's job is to get in front and he was late reacting to the shot. Ideally, yes, Phaneuf shoots lower, but with his shot you can't limit him to tip-in opportunities. His accuracy is questionable for sure, like his point-blank shot early in the game that went wide, but his cannon is a weapon and it's up to Lupul to get out of the way on a high one.

Tyler Bozak is a good hockey player, in all situations. This is a guy we'll admire from afar, albeit in a different role probably, if he gets traded. Jay McClemment is also as advertised. I had faith in the PK for the first time in years when he was on the ice.

Colton Orr, nice job.

JVR is a potential weapon. He displayed the impact he can have on a game tonight, which I believe is greater than what Luke Schenn can contribute to the team. I just believe JVR's ceiling is higher and tonight was a glimpse.

Gardiner looked rusty, but still managed to make some good plays and notch an assist. I think he's actually for real as a solid NHL defenceman. So is Kadri, I've been impressed with him in all three games.

Kessel is snake-bitten, but he's putting himself in position to score and I loved seeing the emotion from him tonight when he assaulted the water bottle.

Nice shot by Grabbo.
 
Its possible to score in the lower half of the net. A low shot also has a better chance of generating a rebound, as well as being more easily tipable. My issue with Phaneuf is that he just winds up and blasts it without any idea where it's going or any regard for his teammates doing the screening in front.

A shot on net even with a little less mustard is infinitely more valuable than a boomer that sails 10 feet wide. If it were a one time thing with Phaneuf I wouldn't say anything but its a persistent issue with him and his shot, and now its resulted in an injury to a pretty important player. His shot may be a weapon, but a weapon that doesn't hit its target is just an expensive fire cracker.
 
I liked the way Phaneuf put on a clinic on how to 'hound' Crosby; the way that second line of JVR/Grabo/Kulemin blended so well (thanks to Carlyle's ingenuity); the way the Penguins were frustrated from time to time garnering penalties (the Leafs are becoming tough to stop when they're speedy & applying offensive pressure); the way the defence came to life, and of course, nothing would be complete witbout what looks like a revamped James Reimer...Optimus Reim alright!

Overall, great effort, great game. The Leafs, when they play well, can so far match up with best of 'em!

GO LEAFS GO!!
 
Glad to see JVR, Kuli and Grabbo going, Mac also chipped in. That?s great. I am very much in favour of spreading the offense. Dependence on one line, no matter how great that one may be, is very dangerous. One injury may destroy all that. The ballance is what makes you strong. The fact that any line can score a goal makes you strong. Judging by his moves so far (Kostka, Kadri and JVR, Kuli, Grabbo move) it seems that Carlyle has a good sense of his players and is trying to find best fits as he said few days ago regardless of the contract status or salary. I applaud him for that.
 
Well I'm shocked. Great game and Carlyle was right about starting Reimer.

Sucks about Lupul though.
 
Just looked at boxscore on TSN and it said that Malkin got a 10 min major and game misconduct at the end of the game.  Didn't see that....but that combined with Crosby's unsportsmanlike penalty near the end of the game puts a smile on my face!
 
Zee said:
How did Gardiner look in his first game back?

As always, his skating was exceptional but as expected, was somewhat out of sorts. Probably needs another couple of games to put it together.
 
Zee said:
How did Gardiner look in his first game back?

Steady, I thought, but unspectacular. They didn't give him a ton of ice time but I thought he skated well enough.
 
gunnar36 said:
Sudafederov said:
Reimer gets the start, intahresting

mark it down as a loss already

Ok, so I get that this was said prior to yesterday's game, and I get that it's easy for me to Monday morning quarterback this, but I actually have to agree with what Nutman's been saying.  Being negative simply for the sake of being negative is a real drag.
 

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