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Game 48: NYI @ TOR - Jan 23 - 7:00pm LEAFSTV

Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Man, Tavares really is stuck on the Island, isn't he?  Butch Goring on MSG had it right: Leafs gameplan was to smother him, keep him to outside.  And they did.  This is the kind of defensive game they should have turned in against MTL.
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Yeah, he's clearly the key component of their offence - their other lines don't seem to generate much, and, without Tavares, neither does their first line.
 
Radio guys kept mentioning Tavares getting injured on a Kulemin hit?  Did he play late in the 3rd?
 
bustaheims said:
So, I guess we can safely say that Lombardi has finally woken up.
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I think his speed has been there all year he just wasn't getting the breaks and bounces he has been the last little bit. Nice to see his effort finally paying off... Maybe a shot at the hattrick now perhaps?
 
CarltonTheBear said:
Zanzibar Buck-Buck McFate said:
Man, Tavares really is stuck on the Island, isn't he?  Butch Goring on MSG had it right: Leafs gameplan was to smother him, keep him to outside.  And they did.  This is the kind of defensive game they should have turned in against MTL.
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Part of the reason they were able to shut him down was because Wilson used his last change to get the Grabs/Phaneuf unit out there against him at all times. It'll be interesting to see how that plays out tomorrow on the road.
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Good point.  He might have more opportunities to feast against Kessel/Lupul & Co.

And yes Busta, he's kind of one-man band out there.  Grabner ... flash in the pan?  I like Niederreiter though.  But I'm not sure if Bailey and Okposo will ever pan out.
 
Zee said:
Radio guys kept mentioning Tavares getting injured on a Kulemin hit?  Did he play late in the 3rd?
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The hit was right before the 3rd leaf goal and he didn't play after it.
 
Zee said:
Radio guys kept mentioning Tavares getting injured on a Kulemin hit?  Did he play late in the 3rd?
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I think that was on Lombardi's second goal so, yeah? (16:21) Kulemin finished him off then got to the bench for the Lombardi change, nice play.

 
I am really hoping that Lombardi is the Lupul of last year.  Lupul missed so much time that he needed a year to really get it going.  I am hoping that Lombardi gets comfortable this year and becomes a 2nd line 20 goal scorer next year.  Sorry for repeating myself (especially in my dislike for MacArthur) but Lombardi has the hockey IQ that MacArthur is needing.  I was able to catch a few minutes of Saturday nights game around the 10 minute mark of the 1st period where the Leafs just got a PP and MacArthur was along the boards and passed it right to the Hab who went in short handed on a good scoring chance.

I didn't notice Connolly tonight.  Is that normal or did I catch a bad game?
 
Zee said:
Radio guys kept mentioning Tavares getting injured on a Kulemin hit?  Did he play late in the 3rd?
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He didn't play for the final 3:40, which doesn't mean all that much in and of itself, since, at that point, it was a 3 goal game. Kulemin did hit him pretty solid, just before he went off, though.
 
Yeah but Kulemin didn't get any points so obviously he's a useless hockey player. I don't know why Burke hasn't traded him yet.  ::)
 
Kulemin gave Tavares a nice run in the corner (our zone) right before we scored.  Johnny went down hard, next thing we score and they show him wincing in pain at the bench gasping for air.

Like Busta said, he didnt play the last 3 minutes but they were down 3 and killing a penalty so it's not all that surprising.

Dude is so skilled though.  He's such a threat Everytime he's in the offensive zone.  It's too bad for the Isles they haven't given him much help.  A 2nd line that can contribute might really be beneficial for him.  Take some pressure off and can avoid costantly seeing the other teams better defensive players.
 
Beowulf said:
Yeah but Kulemin didn't get any points so obviously he's a useless hockey player. I don't know why Burke hasn't traded him yet.  ::)
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He's not useless... He's doing (cliche) all the little things right... I don't think anyone is missing that but it's just the damn offense. - So frustrating.
 
bustaheims said:
PK still perfect in 2012!
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I love the turnaround. From worst to perfection there is no in between with this team!

That gives me hope that when the Leafs finally make the playoffs they'll win the Cup in 16 games. Sure it might take another 10-15 years of missed playoffs but in the end it'll be perfect!
 
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