Game 9 - Leafs @ Rangers - Thursday Oct 27th 2011 - 19:00 EST - 4-2 Win

[Kin]

Not just Jagr, Hartnell also.

This happened repeatedly last year and we commented on it several times throughout the season.

That's probably Leafs-related tunnel vision though. Any time a player goes into a game against the Leafs in the midst of a slump someone will say "So and so may break out tonight". How many times does it have to happen before people are talking about how it happens repeatedly?

I'd bet every single team has players break their slumps against them. You'd probably have to follow them all to say if there's anything significant about the Leafs in that sense.

 

[Ronco]

I wonder if the lighting has changed in the Gooodawn. Damn dull lights.
Watching it on TV you's think they were playing in someones bsmt.

Time for Connolly to step in, and show some stuff.
Should change the complexion of the Leafs attack somewhat.
Leafs win this one.

Right the ship.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

 

[cw]

Who are the picking on in Rags ville and who is in need of breaking an early season slump?  Because my money is on them scoring tonight.  Just seems to happen all so often with us.

I haven't heard much about Richards, I guess he's doing ok, but he'll probably get a hattrick tonight.

Yeah it's strange. If you are a player of any note and are struggling the Leaf game is prolly number one circled in your calendar. It does wonders for slumps. That Jagr game just proved it.

Not just Jagr, Hartnell also.

This happened repeatedly last year and we commented on it several times throughout the season.

This has to be more than coincidence. It's as if the coaching staff tells players: Player A has not scored in 10 games, don't bother covering him and watch Player B and Player C on that line instead.

Leafs GAA is 3.38 - 29th in the league. That will cure scoring woes of opponents more often than not if it doesn't improve.

Leafs are a decent offensive club (against weaker opponents to start the season) and so far, a weak defensive team. The Rags are the opposite. Over the years, the better defensive club seems to more frequently shut down the decent offensive team than the poor defensive team is able to shut down the weak offensive team. There are exceptions to every rule but this sports cliche seems to generally apply in hockey: defence wins championships.

However, if it were that predictable on any given night, nobody would watch.

 

[rdowdall]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

So what you want about Raysoft but doesn't he hold the record for the most wins by a Leaf goalie in a season?

 

[Guru Tugginmypuddah]

So what you are all saying is, it will be a night of "We stink dudes"?

 

[Pucken Chronic]

Rangers home opener, opening ceremonies, uptight Rangers, Leafs back in the regulation win catagory..... fer sure.

 

[Fanatic]

Some of you would rather Scrivens over Gustavsson tonight?

I would prefer that.

 

[Bonsixx]

If Gus allows four or more tonight, it will be concerning. Spread the blame all you want, but eventually he's going to have to get that GAA down or he's done.

 

[rdowdall]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

So what you want about Raysoft but doesn't he hold the record for the most wins by a Leaf goalie in a season?

Not the year he was the back-up.

 

[Kin]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

So what you want about Raysoft but doesn't he hold the record for the most wins by a Leaf goalie in a season?

Andrew Raycroft's last defender!

 

[princedpw]

This is one of those games where I can't help but predict the Leafs lose 2-0, 1 powerplay goal, 1 empty netter.

You think that highly of Gus?  That poorly of our offense?  Or hold the Rangers in that high regard?

It Lundqvist is on, we're in for a long night.

The Rangers have the best goals against average in the conference.  They have the worst goals for average in the conference.  That means a low scoring game.

5 of the Leafs 8 games, and all of their wins, have come against Montreal (2), Calgary, Winnipeg and Ottawa, who are all in the bottom 9 teams in the league.

I think the game will be close ... I have no crystal ball though ...

 

[Beowulf]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

So what you want about Raysoft but doesn't he hold the record for the most wins by a Leaf goalie in a season?

Andrew Raycroft's last defender!

Either my sarcasm meter is severely damaged or that is the first time that I have heard someone use that as a legitimate defense of Raycroft's performance in Toronto.

 

[Kessel Run]

Not just Jagr, Hartnell also.

This happened repeatedly last year and we commented on it several times throughout the season.

That's probably Leafs-related tunnel vision though. Any time a player goes into a game against the Leafs in the midst of a slump someone will say "So and so may break out tonight". How many times does it have to happen before people are talking about how it happens repeatedly?

I'd bet every single team has players break their slumps against them. You'd probably have to follow them all to say if there's anything significant about the Leafs in that sense.

True. Like who would have guessed earlier this week that Detroit gets hammered by Washington and then loses 5-1 against the winless Blue Jackets?

 

[cw]

The last time I had so little faith in the back up goalie was probably Glenn Healy (Trevor Kidd gets honorable mention).

Andrew Raycroft?

So what you want about Raysoft but doesn't he hold the record for the most wins by a Leaf goalie in a season?

Andrew Raycroft's last defender!

I thought Raycroft was one of the most brutal goalies relative to his peers I've ever seen in a Leafs jersey.

His record is tainted by the shootout in my opinion. Shootouts have increased wins for goalies (no more ties). And some of those games were won in spite of Raycroft.

 

[iwas11in67]

Leafs by 2.

 

[Kaberle15]

Winnable game, hoping for a great night by Gus.

Also I liked the Gardiner-Schenn combo, and Frattin as a RW.

Go Leafs Go

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Leafs by 2.

My pro line would like that.

 

[maplesyrup]

4-3 Leafs in OT... Lupul bangs in the winner from the side of the net... I'm just going to go with this prediction all year until it actually happens. Go Leafs go!