Phil Kessel

[Strangelove]

Kessel really seems to have lost his scoring touch the last while.  I can't think of the last sniper type goal that he has scored in a long time....all his goals lately seem to be tap-ins or loose plays from in close.  When was the last time that he blew a shot clean past a goalie upstairs?
He also has not been dangerous in shootouts, I would rather see his linemate Lupul getting more opportunities.

Of late he's had a tendency to attempt shots from the outside with his quick release and he hasn't been very successful.  When he playing really well has the confidence to use his speed to cut to the middle on the rush, a feature of his game that we really haven't seen much of recently for whatever reason.  He seems to have the speed to get around guys but just doesn't follow through.

 

[gunnar36]

When was the last time that he blew a shot clean past a goalie upstairs?

The all-star game

fair enough, i didnt watch that pathetic game

 

[gunnar36]

Of late he's had a tendency to attempt shots from the outside with his quick release and he hasn't been very successful.  When he playing really well has the confidence to use his speed to cut to the middle on the rush, a feature of his game that we really haven't seen much of recently for whatever reason.  He seems to have the speed to get around guys but just doesn't follow through.

Yeah, totally agree with that....he just needs to play with a little more edge in his game and take the puck to the inside more.  His speed seems to be there at least...

 

[ZBBM]

I know people are leaping to his defense, and he's had a marvelous season, but it is also the case that he has cooled off noticeably in terms of high-intensity impact goals.  But hardly comparable to his prolonged scoring slumps in years past.

 

[bustaheims]

I think we all knew a colder stretch was to be expected from Kessel at some point in the season, at it has happened to just about every goal scorer in the history of the league, but, he does have 2 goals in his last 5 games and I thought his line was flying early in last night's game, in part because of Phil's efforts. He's certainly not the same level of invisible we've seen from him during past cold stretches.

 

[ZBBM]

I think we all knew a colder stretch was to be expected from Kessel at some point in the season, at it has happened to just about every goal scorer in the history of the league, but, he does have 2 goals in his last 5 games and I thought his line was flying early in last night's game, in part because of Phil's efforts. He's certainly not the same level of invisible we've seen from him during past cold stretches.

This is what I was trying to say.  (Although now that I think about it, logically, can there be levels of invisibility?  Either you're pregnant, or you're not....) 

 

[Zee]

Hm, he's dropped out of the top 10 in scoring for the first time in a long while.

 

[lamajama]

That SO attempt was so lame. Earlier in the season on an SO shot, he was flying in and ripping one through the goalie. Last night was the exact
opposite.

 

[AvroArrow]

That SO attempt was so lame. Earlier in the season on an SO shot, he was flying in and ripping one through the goalie. Last night was the exact
opposite.

He was still in All-Star game mode.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Hm, he's dropped out of the top 10 in scoring for the first time in a long while.

Back in the top-5.

 

[nutman]

And so he's rolling again.

 

[Bullfrog]

I still find it difficult to believe we have two players in the top 5 scoring in the NHL.

 

[nutman]

I still find it difficult to believe we have two players in the top 5 scoring in the NHL.

just think if Grabbo didnt have a bad start we could of had three up there.

 

[Zee]

I'd be floored if Kessel and Lupul finish in the top 5.  It seems very possible with 29 games left.  They show no signs of slowing down.

 

[gunnar36]

I'd be floored if Kessel and Lupul finish in the top 5.  It seems very possible with 29 games left.  They show no signs of slowing down.

have Grabovski centre them and they most certainly will...

 

[princedpw]

I still find it difficult to believe we have two players in the top 5 scoring in the NHL.

I agree.  I keep thinking -- am I dreaming?  They aren't really that good are they?  There *must* be a bunch of better players somewhere in the league, right? 

 

[Omallley]

He's on pace for ~45 goals. Not sure if he'll make that mark, but that would be the first time the Leafs had a 40 goal man since what...Sundin a decade ago?

 

[scottishleaf]

A nice goal last night for his 30th, 40+ goals looks like a real possibility.

 

[Zee]

A nice goal last night for his 30th, 40+ goals looks like a real possibility.

I know he's spoiled us with this great play, but less than 40 goals at this point would be a disappointment.  That would mean he scores less than 10 goals in the next 28 games.

 

[freer]

I think he could hit 50. I am not holding my breath but it is possible. I also see Lup's hitting 35.