Game 44: Islanders @ Leafs - Apr. 18, 7:00pm - LeafsTV, TSN 1050

[ZBBM]

We all need to keep in mind that anything that happens in the playoffs is good -- even a sweep would teach these guys something about the intensity needed to win in the post-season.

I still say we could upset anyone but by the same token I don't expect success in the playoffs.

Are you kidding?  I have my parade course mapped out already 

Just a reminder that for all its improvements this team still has some glaring weaknesses.

 

[harps64]

Some games I wonder how Phaneuf manages to tie his skates.

 

[Arn]

Did they even play this bad in Wilson's last days?

 

[L K]

Just once when the game looks as bad as this I would love to see Bozak taken off the 1st line to see what happens.

 

[Sevax]

we suck man!

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

Some games I wonder how Phaneuf manages to tie his skates.

;D

 

[oakl0008]

Okay I don't mean to be a downer (really, I don't), but this team is NOT a playoff team (YET) with such a low shot percentage.

Still an improvement overall from last year but I think it will take a bit longer to be a convincing post season team. 

And honestly, unless they seriously address their shooting issues among other things, I would rather them miss the postseason than to get their asses handed to them in the first round. This team deserves to go far when they make it in but not when they're playing like this.

I don't think you can say they're not a playoff team, when they're in a playoff spot.

And half of the 16 teams that make the playoffs are out after the 1st round.

I don't like the way this team is playing..but you can't expect a team that's missed the playoffs 9 years to suddenly be a contender for the cup.

I never said I expected them to be a contender for the cup after missing 9 playoff years. In fact, the subject of Lord Stanley never entered my mind even when they were winning. I would just rather them make the playoffs while consistently giving themselves a fighting chance for something other than being completely wiped out the first round. And how they've been playing the last few games, they're not giving themselves that chance. Like another poster said, they're showing shades of how they played last year...  :-X

Yeah, the other poster was me.

And it's called baby steps. What would be satisfactory to you?

I'm not happy with what this team has shown over the last 5 days but it's not reflective of how they've played for the 40 other games.

I don't know why you're asking me this, but like everyone else here, I would like them to play a bit better than they're playing now. Period.

I know they played well the last 40 games. But in the 2012 season they showed promise for a good amount of games only to slide in the second half. It's a shortened season and they're showing a bad pattern yet again. Still, as I said before, an overall improvement from last year.

And yes....Baby Steps. Like I said before, they're not a playoff team...YET. But I DO believe they can become one in the future. 

 

[ZBBM]

Just once when the game looks as bad as this I would love to see Bozak taken off the 1st line to see what happens.

He doesn't deserve to be but I actually was thinking pretty much the same thing.  Why not throw Grabs up there for the 3rd?  Challenge him to get it deep every shift and work his butt off to set up a dirty goal.  What the hell, it might work.

 

[princedpw]

Just once when the game looks as bad as this I would love to see Bozak taken off the 1st line to see what happens.

That would be great.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

on the one hand..it's two bad they're down two going into the third..on the other hand...i can't believe it's only 2

 

[TML fan]

How they played the 2nd half of the 2nd period is how they should have played when they were up 2-1. I can live with the goal they gave up as it was caused completely by van Riemsdyk's laziness. All he had to do was take two steps to give Franson an outlet.

 

[TML fan]

They killed their own momentum with their stupid defensive game. 2 weak goals by Reimer didn't help.

Now let's watch the Leafs defend a 3-2 deficit for 40 minutes. Their 40% shooting percentage is totally sustainable.

What other goal from Reimer was bad? The third one he probably should have had, but the first was cross crease one timer, and the second a deflection.

You can't fault Reimer after all the solid play he's given us lately.

I don't understand this belief that a deflected puck is unstoppable. I don't care if Wayne Gretzky banked it off the scoreboard. He should not get beat 5 hole on a deflection when he's already in the butterfly.

That's a silly argument. When the puck is deflected it opens up your five hole. Unless you've played goalie you'd have no idea.

I have played goalie, and I used my stick to cover my 5 hole. It's got more uses than giving the puck away behind the net.

 

[Derk]

Wow, what a putrid performance through 2 periods. This team needs to wake up... and fast... or it could fall right out of the playoffs. They have been playing that badly.

 

[ZBBM]

Wow, what a putrid performance through 2 periods. This team needs to wake up... and fast... or it could fall right out of the playoffs. They have been playing that badly.

We aren't going to miss the playoffs.  (agreed re the performance tho)

 

[azzurri63]

Shoddy defence has been our problem most of the year. Been harping about that a lot. Games weren't as bad, one sided as far as the shot totals like they have been lately but it is a concern and I don't buy what some have been saying. The Canadiens since Emelin has been hurt have looked bad as far as defence. Think they miss him more than some think and have been outplayed and outscored badly lately albeit Price has looked horrible. The game against them personally don't think we outplayed them. They were the better team and only reason we won was due to the 4 goals on 5 shots in the first period. This team stands around way too much and can't find too many that take the body. Franson, Gardiner, Liles, Gunnar all are soft players. Phaneuf could play a little meaner but only guy I see that plays a little mean is Fraser and thats the only reason he's in the lineup. Forwards besides the goons not sure if you can find much toughness there either. That's what I think is one of our biggest problems. Some think Burke built this tough team. Looks tough because of the scraps. Team to me is too soft. No reason guys should be left standing around Reimer or in our end. You can't blame the defense only it's a team thing. Team defence. The Bozak line. Never seen 3 softer players and they are all on one line. JVR is a big kid but you would never know it. Throw someone out there that can help offensively but has a mean streak to offset that. Understand it's your top line but they are a total liabilty in our end. I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs. I know it could be a combination of things maybe a lot of players coming home but I think it's because we are weak and soft defensively and a lot of players know that and play harder because of that. Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren etc because those players won't go after them so the rest of the team have to make it hard on these guys. Play them tough but they are allowed to freewheel thus putting points up against us all the time. Toughness team defence 2 big problems not just this year been going on for a long time. If our PP and PK were both down at the bottom of the league we would be in the same position as we have been in the past. I said it before. We are heading in the right direction with some youth and good trades but still a ways to go.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

Wow, what a putrid performance through 2 periods. This team needs to wake up... and fast... or it could fall right out of the playoffs. They have been playing that badly.

We aren't going to miss the playoffs.  (agreed re the performance tho)

agreed...a two game losing streak isn't really the same thing as never winning again..even if it feels like it sometimes

 

[L K]

Just once when the game looks as bad as this I would love to see Bozak taken off the 1st line to see what happens.

He doesn't deserve to be but I actually was thinking pretty much the same thing.  Why not throw Grabs up there for the 3rd?  Challenge him to get it deep every shift and work his butt off to set up a dirty goal.  What the hell, it might work.

Agreed.  Bozak's faults in this game have been limited on-ice vision when making passes/shot decisions.  But at the same time, I think the lines need a shakeup and maybe putting either Grabovski or Kadri on Kessel's line for a period could get something going.

 

[Stronger Than All]

Kadri on a milk carton yet?

 

[Stebro]

don't throw it all away please, great the jets have a lead too

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

comebacks happen occasionally ..right?