Leafs @ Pens 7:30 PM EST, TSN

[Mack674]

Well, grabovski, gunnarsson, franson and uh, Mike brown. Everyone else, don't let the door hit you on the way out.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Figures,  we can't win for the life of us losing after 2 but when it matters we hand the win over. Such a sorry bunch. Please no more talk of this play off non-sense by the media.

 

[Oracle]

lol Leafs looked like the Timbits in the last 30 seconds there.

 

[Ronco]

Tough game to lose when your playing pretty tight hockey.
It was another winnable game.
Onwards.

 

[TML fan]

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

Phaneuf has to go.  And sure, the goalie.

I disagree. Like the rest of the blueline, Phaneuf really just needs some guidance from his coaching staff, some support from his forwards and a better (read "any") system to play in.

Seriously, Phaneuf is hardly the problem on this team.

 

[L K]

Phaneuf has to go.  And sure, the goalie.

I disagree. Like the rest of the blueline, Phaneuf really just needs some guidance from his coaching staff, some support from his forwards and a better (read "any") system to play in.

I don't know, he gets beat an awful lot on his own.  I don't think it's the forwards responsibility to cover for his inability to lift a stick or keep his man to the outside instead of going outside and cutting in on him.  Phaneuf has been around the NHL long enough to not be that bad defensive given his size and general mobility.  I am looking forward to when his contract expires and he comes in a good million dollars cheaper as that would probably alleviate some of my dislike of him as a player. 

 

[ZBBM]

Give an 'effin break Busta.  Phaneuf SUCKS.  It makes my blood boil to see that jackoff wearing the C.  You could give him freaking Jacques Lemaire as head coach and he still couldn't play a system.  He's too damn stupid.

 

[WAYNEINIONA]

Anyone else hear the fat lady singing.

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Just to point something out, since beating Ottawa 5-0 three light years ago Leafs only wins have been against Edmonton twice (29th team in the league) and Montreal (28th team in the league). This is beyond dreadful. Hope Burke is more arrogant, he deserves it.

 

[ZBBM]

Phaneuf has to go.  And sure, the goalie.

I disagree. Like the rest of the blueline, Phaneuf really just needs some guidance from his coaching staff, some support from his forwards and a better (read "any") system to play in.

Seriously, Phaneuf is hardly the problem on this team.

He and Kessel are the heart of the problem.

Well, in truth the goaltending is probably the heart.  But those 2 are right there.

 

[azzurri63]

Left to pick up the wife after 2 with the lead and come home down 3-2. Typical for this team. How often have we blown leads this season.

 

[Derk]

Leafs when leading after 2 periods vs. the rest of the league: 20-0.

Leafs when leading after 2 periods at Pittsburgh: 0-1-1

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

He and Kessel are the heart of the problem.

Well, in truth the goaltending is probably the heart.  But those 2 are right there.

The heart of the problem is team defense, not the defensemen. Goaltending obviously has to sharpen up, but you can't blame all of this on one defenseman that plays more than any other.  Sure, he gets beat, but they were also playing a system that told them to push up and jump into the play every chance they get, that is going to expose them all the time, especially if the forwards are not going to bother covering them.

 

[DieWilsonDie]

Isn't it so fun watching this team find new lows?  Congratulations we just lost to a team that disrespected us by putting in a goalie who split time last year with the AHL/ECHL.  This isn't even mediocrity any more, its a disgrace.  As far as I am concerned this hockey team's fans deserve a public apology, but I am sure next year ticket prices will go up and we will all be hyped because of some meaningless run we go on with 5-6 games remaining in the season that consolidates us a draft pick outside of the top 5.  This team is a mess. 

 

[itsgametime]

a bit of tweaking and this team will be fine...lol

 

[DieWilsonDie]

Left to pick up the wife after 2 with the lead and come home down 3-2. Typical for this team. How often have we blown leads this season.

This is an epidemic that has screwed over this team since the lockout.  I remember in 05/06 we blew maybe five or six 3-0 leads, and we ended up missing the playoffs by 1 or 2 points.  I am afraid a Stanley Cup drought is going to be the least of our concerns in the next 3-4 years. 

 

[ZBBM]

He and Kessel are the heart of the problem.

Well, in truth the goaltending is probably the heart.  But those 2 are right there.

The heart of the problem is team defense, not the defensemen. Goaltending obviously has to sharpen up, but you can't blame all of this on one defenseman that plays more than any other.  Sure, he gets beat, but they were also playing a system that told them to push up and jump into the play every chance they get, that is going to expose them all the time, especially if the forwards are not going to bother covering them.

I am blaming Burke for building the blueline around a guy who is a terrible defender.  This idea that Phaneuf is somehow going to turn into a capable d-man if only given the right system is a fantasy.  In ANY system you would have to shield him with low minutes.  Instead he's out screwing up for us in all situations.

He's slow, he doesn't win puck battles, he doesn't clear the crease, he gives the puck away.  He's awful, and so yes, he's a huge part of the problem.

I want all the Phaneuf defenders out there to tell me exactly how they think he's going to suddenly become something which he has never been before, even in CGY.  Let alone that he wears the C, which by rights should be given to Grabovski if it were based on effort and results.

 

[lamajama]

I feel real bad for Gus. He made some incredible saves and then....

I think I'd still let him keep going. Make him make a case for a new
contract. Either it's good and the playoffs or it's good and a top draft pick.

 

[DieWilsonDie]

a bit of tweaking and this team will be fine...lol

Hmmm tweaking....

Here is a grocery list for Brian Burke:
1.  A number 1 goalie
2.  A veteran back up goalie
3.  A real first line center
4.  A real number one defender (because lets face the facts Phaneuf isn't capable of being that)
5.  Some grit in our bottom six forwards