Game 41: Detroit Red Wings vs Toronto Maple Leafs W4-3

[Kin]

You know, until either team actually achieves some success the whole TeamUnit thing just seems like a celebration of the fact that they're, in all likelihood, smashing chicks. I mean, congratulations and everything, we had stupid gimmicks like that in my frathouse too but I have no idea what it's supposed to mean to a fan.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Jimmy Howard got his knob on that one.

 

[L K]

Komisarek -2; So glad we have him back.

To be fair, Komisarek had his man covered on that one.

Yeah, I know.  He hasn't been that bad, although I'm seeing the same things I don't like where guys have no problem taking him to the outside and he's abysmal at winning puck battles and clearing the puck. For a guy with no offensive game, you need to be good at that stuff.

 

[Derk]

Leafs have had some really good chances to score tonight (outside of their goals). Howard has either come up big or they have bumbled the puck.

Kadri has looked really creative with the puck and has set up a couple of really nice chances. Someone is gonna have to finish them eventually.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Lombardi looks twice as fast as when the season started.  Seems like he kept his conditioning up while out.

 

[ZBBM]

Leafs have had some really good chances to score tonight (outside of their goals). Howard has either come up big or they have bumbled the puck.

Kadri has looked really creative with the puck and has set up a couple of really nice chances. Someone is gonna have to finish them eventually.

Kadri has hands that one can speak of in the same breath as Datsyuk's but I get nervous when he tries those passes into the center of the ice when you are protecting a 1-goal lead.

 

[TML fan]

The Leafs have failed to make any adjustments at all in this game.

Yeah, neither has Howard...

That was only like the 5th shot he'd faced since the 1st...Other than "not falling asleep" what else is he supposed to do?

Make a huge save just before that, it was supposed to be a joke, bad timing given the Leafs goal...

The point I was making is that Red Wings were unprepared for the Leafs' speed and that's how the Leafs were able to get up by 3 goals. The Red Wings adjusted their play to counter the Leafs' speed and the Leafs did not do anything to counter the Red Wings' change in strategy...and thus the game was tied. The Leafs are only ahead now by virtue of the lead they built in the first against an unprepared opponent. It's not even that the Leafs are playing badly. They are just unable or unwilling to adjust their play to counter their opponents. That goal Lupul scored could have been the 4th in a 4-0 or 4-1 game if the Leafs had made some changes. Right now it's standing up as the GWG.

At the end of the day it doesn't matter if the Leafs win by 1 or 3, but it really serves to illustrate the massive difference between a team like the Leafs and a team that could potentially go very far in the playoffs.

 

[L K]

Lombardi looks twice as fast as when the season started.  Seems like he kept his conditioning up while out.

Just wish his stick would catch up to his legs.  He's had a lot of really good scoring opportunities that he has bobbled/missed the net.  It's going to take time, but he's at least in the position to make those plays with his speed. 

 

[Derk]

That could have easily been a hitting from behind penalty on the Leafs.

 

[L K]

Gus has taken a lot of contact tonight.

 

[bustaheims]

The Wings get away with an awful lot of questionable stuff around the net.

 

[Kin]

Earlier I named Datsyuk as one of the guys I really liked watching play but that must be because I don't have to watch him play the Leafs too often. It's really not fair that he's the best offensive and defensive player on the ice.

 

[4th Liner]

The Wings get away with an awful lot of questionable stuff around the net.

Agreed

 

[Tigger]

Hurm, a time out.

 

[4th Liner]

Gut check time - let's do it boys

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

:-\  I miss Ian White in a Leaf jersey

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Jimmy Howard got his knob on that one.

Oh no you didn't...

 

[ZBBM]

The Wings get away with an awful lot of questionable stuff around the net.

Agreed

But give the refs credit -- they have been consistent and let them play.  Outstanding job.

 

[Derk]

The Wings get away with an awful lot of questionable stuff around the net.

I noticed that they use their sticks an awful lot.

However, they are also really good at protecting the puck. They have had possession most of the period.

 

[4th Liner]

Atta boy Gus