Game 54 - Leafs @ Jets - Feb 7th, 2012 - 19:30 EST - Snet-O - TSN Jets

[bustaheims]

Like I said, this wasn't a difference in talent, but a difference in size (yes I realize we were probably a little tired).

I think the tiredness had more of an impact than you're giving it. A well rested Leafs team more than counters the Jets' size with their speed and skill.

 

[Stronger Than All]

Figured Lomardi had the only real chance at tying.  Should have buried it.

A likely loss in Philly and it'll be the end of the world again.

 

[Zee]

Like I said, this wasn't a difference in talent, but a difference in size (yes I realize we were probably a little tired).

I think the tiredness had more of an impact than you're giving it. A well rested Leafs team more than counters the Jets' size with their speed and skill.

Yeah Leafs didn't have the same speed jumping on loose pucks. Their legs weren't there given last night plus travel and a time zone change to boot.

 

[TML fan]

Figured Lomardi had the only real chance at tying.  Should have buried it.

A likely loss in Philly and it'll be the end of the world again.

I dunno. I think most of us are expecting to lose to Philly.

 

[Zee]

Figured Lomardi had the only real chance at tying.  Should have buried it.

A likely loss in Philly and it'll be the end of the world again.

No worries I predicted 2 losses in a row starting tonight but I had tonight's in OT. As long as Leafs can get a point on Thursday it's ok.

 

[ZBBM]

The tying goal was pretty weak, but Gus played pretty well.

I felt the difference in this game was size. Bogosian, Stuart, Byfuglien and some of the forwards (Thorburn, Slater, some other guys) clogged up the neutral zone, and generally collapsed around the goalie any time we were in their zone.

Those who think this team doesn't need to make a move or two (referring to Feschuk, for one) just need to look at this game or the games against Boston.

It wasn't for lack of effort we lost. We played decently well, and if Lombardi pots that breakaway we're into overtime.

Like I said, this wasn't a difference in talent, but a difference in size (yes I realize we were probably a little tired).

I think I'm coming around to this view too.  The drawback is, you throw a power forward on to one of the top 2 lines and you lose some quickness, and take away from the transition game. 

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Like I said, this wasn't a difference in talent, but a difference in size (yes I realize we were probably a little tired).

I think the tiredness had more of an impact than you're giving it. A well rested Leafs team more than counters the Jets' size with their speed and skill.

Maybe, although there were a few instances where Stuart hammered Leaf forwards and Byfuglien threw others around like they were little children.

A player who can hold the puck along the boards against some bigger defencemen is a definite need IMO (well, many people's opinions really). I didn't really see much, if any of a cycle game going tonight. If you're tired and can't play run and gun as effectively, then having that part of your game going is a must (Grabbs/Kuli/Mac are usually pretty good at it, although less so this year).

 

[TML fan]

The tying goal was pretty weak, but Gus played pretty well.

I felt the difference in this game was size. Bogosian, Stuart, Byfuglien and some of the forwards (Thorburn, Slater, some other guys) clogged up the neutral zone, and generally collapsed around the goalie any time we were in their zone.

Those who think this team doesn't need to make a move or two (referring to Feschuk, for one) just need to look at this game or the games against Boston.

It wasn't for lack of effort we lost. We played decently well, and if Lombardi pots that breakaway we're into overtime.

Like I said, this wasn't a difference in talent, but a difference in size (yes I realize we were probably a little tired).

I think I'm coming around to this view too.  The drawback is, you throw a power forward on to one of the top 2 lines and you lose some quickness, and take away from the transition game.

Blake Wheeler looks pretty fast to me.

 

[bustaheims]

A player who can hold the puck along the boards against some bigger defencemen is a definite need IMO (well, many people's opinions really). I didn't really see much, if any of a cycle game going tonight. If you're tired and can't play run and gun as effectively, then having that part of your game going is a must (Grabbs/Kuli/Mac are usually pretty good at it, although less so this year).

Sure, adding another big body up front would be great, but, it would have to be a big body that actually fits into the system, not just any big body. Someone with size and speed, and they're hard to come by.

 

[maplesyrup]

Sure, adding another big body up front would be great, but, it would have to be a big body that actually fits into the system, not just any big body. Someone with size and speed, and they're hard to come by.

Ryan is at the top of your list, isn't he? 

 

[Zee]

A player who can hold the puck along the boards against some bigger defencemen is a definite need IMO (well, many people's opinions really). I didn't really see much, if any of a cycle game going tonight. If you're tired and can't play run and gun as effectively, then having that part of your game going is a must (Grabbs/Kuli/Mac are usually pretty good at it, although less so this year).

Sure, adding another big body up front would be great, but, it would have to be a big body that actually fits into the system, not just any big body. Someone with size and speed, and they're hard to come by.

Will he have the Pierre McGwire "big body presence"?

 

[Strangelove]

Lombardi seems to get a hell of a lot of breakaways.  It'd be nice if he scored on them a little more often than he does.

The Connolly line has created absolutely nothing offensively for a while now and has been a liability defensively.  It's pretty clear that something has to be done about that and I think the most obvious potential solution is trying Kadri in Crabb's place.  Though I have my doubts that Connolly can be effective on this Leafs' team - his slow, plodding style doesn't seem to jive with their overarching mode of attack.  He's this year's Jason Allison with slightly better defense and slightly worse offense.

 

[ZBBM]

Lombardi seems to get a hell of a lot of breakaways.  It'd be nice if he scored on them a little more often than he does.

The Connolly line has created absolutely nothing offensively for a while now and has been a liability defensively.  It's pretty clear that something has to be done about that and I think the most obvious potential solution is trying Kadri in Crabb's place.  Though I have my doubts that Connolly can be effective on this Leafs' team - his slow, plodding style doesn't seem to jive with their overarching mode of attack.  He's this year's Jason Allison with slightly better defense and slightly worse offense.

Just to remind folks, in Allison's season with us he was 17-43-60 and a -18 in 66 games.  I never saw a slower skater.

 

[bustaheims]

Ryan is at the top of your list, isn't he? 

If I were GM, he would definitely be my #1 target - possibly on a list of 1.

 

[Stickytape]

Fatigue was the biggest component in this loss, from where I was sitting.  I do worry that a team this young/fresh hasn't quite had enough time to get their conditioning to a level where they can handle back to back games at an NHL level.  It'll take time.

Their passing was the worst I've seen it all season.  Plus they just couldn't muster enough speed to be dangerous, and often couldn't get back to stop some of those plays. 

Monster let in a softie, but played well otherwise, especially considering how little ice time he's had of late.  Ultimately it was the lack of offense that did 'em in.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Figured Lomardi had the only real chance at tying.  Should have buried it.

A likely loss in Philly and it'll be the end of the world again.

No worries I predicted 2 losses in a row starting tonight but I had
tonight's in OT. As long as Leafs can get a point on Thursday it's
ok.

They need to salvage whatever points they can muster from the rest of this week's games.  Don't think either the Philly game or the Habs game will be easy wins.  The goalkeepers will need to continue their sharp netminding, and the offence has to get going once again.

Was hoping the Leafs could have gotten at least a point against the Jets, but, oh well, a loss is a loss.  Should regroup for the upcoming games.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

 

[Zee]

Figured Lomardi had the only real chance at tying.  Should have buried it.

A likely loss in Philly and it'll be the end of the world again.

No worries I predicted 2 losses in a row starting tonight but I had
tonight's in OT. As long as Leafs can get a point on Thursday it's
ok.

They need to salvage whatever points they can muster from the rest of this week's games.  Don't think either the Philly game or the Habs game will be easy wins.  The goalkeepers will need to continue their sharp netminding, and the offence has to get going once again.

Was hoping the Leafs could have gotten at least a point against the Jets, but, oh well, a loss is a loss.  Should regroup for the upcoming games.

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Anytime the Leafs have at least a day of rest I think they have a decent shot in a game so I'm not worried about the Flyers game (or their suspect goaltending)

 

[Leafaholic99]

First of all sorry for the time in the title, posted it as CST by mistake *facepalm* and for the loss, the Jets are 9-0-0 when I'm in attendance, they should be 7-2-0, with the 2 losses to my main team!

Funny story, my gf is a Jets & Bruins fan, but becoming a Leafs fan, but Jets first, Bruins third. I got her Leafs earrings and they won 2 in a row with her wearing them. She had them in until the 10:54 mark of the second, at which point she took them out and texted "if the Jets score soon I'm going to laugh". 40 seconds late the Jets scored, which would eventually be the game winner *facepalm* lol.

The Jets fans weren't as annoying as on NYE, a few times when they boo'd Kessel I yelled out "why are you booing kessel, jealous that he is 2nd in the NHL in goals?" Or " why are you booing him, jealous he has 20 more pts then your leading point scorer?". Each time I got no response lol

Also, yea a few times they did a Reim-errrr chant :s it was confusing, at least they didn't try once, to start the wave this game :s