Pre-Season: Leafs @ Wings - Sept. 27, 7:30pm - LeafsTV, TSN 1050

[oakl0008]

Alife's first goal as a Red Wing. How fitting.


Oh, and Millen still just loooooves this guy. lol

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I see the Leafs are going to take the same approach to "have to opposition drastically outshoot us every night and hope we score at a high percentage" approach.  Shots are 27-14 through 2 periods.  This is when things should start to tighten up in preparation for October 1st, not look like a sloppy gong-show.

They've been outshot in every preseason game except the fight night against Buffalo. Clearly, we need more fights.

 

[ZBBM]

I'll be damned if I can get tsn1050 to work on my laptop or ipad.  All I get is a series of headshots of the radio hosts. :

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I see the Leafs are going to take the same approach to "have to opposition drastically outshoot us every night and hope we score at a high percentage" approach.  Shots are 27-14 through 2 periods.  This is when things should start to tighten up in preparation for October 1st, not look like a sloppy gong-show.

They're waiting for high quality shots only duh.  Corsi shmorsi.

 

[Bender]

So I take it this was a crap game, eh?

 

[moon111]

I see the Leafs are going to take the same approach to "have to opposition drastically outshoot us every night and hope we score at a high percentage" approach.  Shots are 27-14 through 2 periods.  This is when things should start to tighten up in preparation for October 1st, not look like a sloppy gong-show.

They've been outshot in every preseason game except the fight night against Buffalo. Clearly, we need more fights.

Although I love hockey fights, I think the real reason is Buffalo sucks.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I see the Leafs are going to take the same approach to "have to opposition drastically outshoot us every night and hope we score at a high percentage" approach.  Shots are 27-14 through 2 periods.  This is when things should start to tighten up in preparation for October 1st, not look like a sloppy gong-show.

They're waiting for high quality shots only duh.  Corsi shmorsi.

The Leafs definitely, absolutely had the puck more. You know, assuming you don't go and actually check that.

 

[Stickytape]

So I take it this was a crap game, eh?

The first period was fine; exciting, good chances at either end, tied 1-1, looked like anyone's game.

Then the Leafs went back to the usual sloppiness.  Giveaways, missed passes, etc.  And they were just outworked by a Redwings team that looks very put-together.  I want to remind myself that Kessel was out for this game, and that Carlyle is playing with weird line combinations, but that's really no excuse.

The Wings have beautiful passing, which is something I miss about this incarnation of the team.  Ron Wilson's game had a lot of faults, but passing was not one of them.  Somewhere along the way that largely disappeared.

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

I agree with your assessment of the game, particularly with your acknowledgement of these guys. The Gardiner-Franson pairing looked like they were picking up right where they left off in the playoffs. Even in the defensive end. Their ability to pass/carry the puck out of our zone effortlessly is just as valuable to the team than pushing somebody out of the net is.

I've been impressed with Kulemin throughout the preseason. He seems to be shooting a lot more, although a few have been off the mark. When he scored 30 goals he was 3rd on the team in shots with 173. He hasn't been close to that in the past couple of seasons and that's obviously a big reason for his decreased goal totals. Who knows why the shots stopped, but it looks like they're back. If Carlyle comes to his senses and starts the season with Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin as the 2nd line I think Kuly is going to force him to make a very difficult decision once Clarkson's suspension is over.

As for Bernier, I'm convinced that he's going to be the teams starter by the end of the season. Reimer might get the start in our first game, but I think Bernier will start our last one. It's just a feeling. Reimer has looked good in the preseason too though.

 

[hockeyfan1]

So I take it this was a crap game, eh?

The first period was fine; exciting, good chances at either end, tied 1-1, looked like anyone's game.

Then the Leafs went back to the usual sloppiness.  Giveaways, missed passes, etc. And they were just outworked by a Redwings team that looks very put-together.  I want to remind myself that Kessel was out for this game, and that Carlyle is playing with weird line combinations, but that's really no excuse.

The Wings have beautiful passing, which is something I miss about this incarnation of the team.  Ron Wilson's game had a lot of faults, but passing was not one of them.  Somewhere along the way that largely disappeared.

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

That seems to be their trademark, always steady & consistent in that category, at least.  Those attributes are what makes great teams improve or rise again, even if they've been 'downtrodden' of late.

Would be nice if the Leafs could take a cue and eliminate those glaring defensive breakdowns of theirs -- when they happen.  To be more consist & concentrate on paying attention to the little things that make up the bigger picture.

It was only an exhibition game.  Nothing much to worry about, for now.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

I agree with your assessment of the game, particularly with your acknowledgement of these guys. The Gardiner-Franson pairing looked like they were picking up right where they left off in the playoffs. Even in the defensive end. Their ability to pass/carry the puck out of our zone effortlessly is just as valuable to the team than pushing somebody out of the net is.

I've been impressed with Kulemin throughout the preseason. He seems to be shooting a lot more, although a few have been off the mark. When he scored 30 goals he was 3rd on the team in shots with 173. He hasn't been close to that in the past couple of seasons and that's obviously a big reason for his decreased goal totals. Who knows why the shots stopped, but it looks like they're back. If Carlyle comes to his senses and starts the season with Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin as the 2nd line I think Kuly is going to force him to make a very difficult decision once Clarkson's suspension is over.

As for Bernier, I'm convinced that he's going to be the teams starter by the end of the season. Reimer might get the start in our first game, but I think Bernier will start our last one. It's just a feeling. Reimer has looked good in the preseason too though.

Wonder if Kulemin wants a shot at the Russian Olympics and if we'll see something else out of him this season.

 

[Redleaf]

So I take it this was a crap game, eh?

The first period was fine; exciting, good chances at either end, tied 1-1, looked like anyone's game.

Then the Leafs went back to the usual sloppiness.  Giveaways, missed passes, etc. And they were just outworked by a Redwings team that looks very put-together.  I want to remind myself that Kessel was out for this game, and that Carlyle is playing with weird line combinations, but that's really no excuse.

The Wings have beautiful passing, which is something I miss about this incarnation of the team.  Ron Wilson's game had a lot of faults, but passing was not one of them.  Somewhere along the way that largely disappeared.

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

That seems to be their trademark, always steady & consistent in that category, at least.  Those attributes are what makes great teams improve or rise again, even if they've been 'downtrodden' of late.

Would be nice if the Leafs could take a cue and eliminate those glaring defensive breakdowns of theirs -- when they happen.  To be more consist & concentrate on paying attention to the little things that make up the bigger picture.

It was only an exhibition game.  Nothing much to worry about, for now.

Agreed about their passing. It is superb. The way these teams matched up last night reminded me of the trouble the Leafs had with the Bruins in seasons past, but for different reasons.

The Leafs may match up better against the Bruins now, but if last night was any indication, there may be some long nights against these Red Wings this season.

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

The Leafs didn't use their speed last night, the way we've seen them do. I think as the season series goes, Detroit will be tired with Toronto on most nights. I didn't like Colton Orr last night. When playing Detroit, I don't think we should dress either Orr or McLaren.

Franson was real good in this game and so was Phaneuf. Some aren't going to agree with me, but I think Phaneuf has refined his game, so glad that he's not chasing hits anymore. Gardiner is getting better at picking his spots to go for a skate.

On the goaltending... I think Reimer has been the more steady goalie and didn't lose his #1 status. But, I agree with CTB, I think Bernier will be the starter for the playoffs.

 

[Beowulf]

A few upshots:  Regardless of the score, Bernier looked very steady again, and made a few beauty saves.  I thought Franson had a great game, too.  Gardiner continues to look great, and Kuli also looks improved over last year.

I agree with your assessment of the game, particularly with your acknowledgement of these guys. The Gardiner-Franson pairing looked like they were picking up right where they left off in the playoffs. Even in the defensive end. Their ability to pass/carry the puck out of our zone effortlessly is just as valuable to the team than pushing somebody out of the net is.

I've been impressed with Kulemin throughout the preseason. He seems to be shooting a lot more, although a few have been off the mark. When he scored 30 goals he was 3rd on the team in shots with 173. He hasn't been close to that in the past couple of seasons and that's obviously a big reason for his decreased goal totals. Who knows why the shots stopped, but it looks like they're back. If Carlyle comes to his senses and starts the season with Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin as the 2nd line I think Kuly is going to force him to make a very difficult decision once Clarkson's suspension is over.

As for Bernier, I'm convinced that he's going to be the teams starter by the end of the season. Reimer might get the start in our first game, but I think Bernier will start our last one. It's just a feeling. Reimer has looked good in the preseason too though.

Wonder if Kulemin wants a shot at the Russian Olympics and if we'll see something else out of him this season.

Here's a recent article on exactly your point:

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/09/12/leafs-kulemin-doubly-motivated

A couple of excerpts:

On the off-season

For the first time since he joined the Leafs in 2008, Kulemin spent the bulk of the off-season in Toronto. Part of the reason for that was to best prepare for the upcoming season. Sure, he wants to play well and impress Russian head coach Zinetula Bilyaletdinov, but he also wants to show Carlyle that his best days in the NHL are still ahead.

On losing Grabo

?But it wasn?t my decision. Management made a decision. This is common in hockey. He was my friend, we played together a long time. But I?m just going to do my job with him or without him.?

 

[Beowulf]

Carlyle is not as impressed with Gardiner so far as we are apparently - or so he says:

http://www.tsn.ca/toronto/blogs/jonas_siegel/?id=432925

I gotta wonder whether this is the beginnings of another Bobby Ryan type of situation in terms of Carlyle's motivational tactics.

 

[Redleaf]

Interesting development regarding tonight's game.

"Leafs recall Abbott, D'Amigo, MacWilliam, McKegg and Percy to give their vets a night off tonight. Carlyle wants them rested for Tuesday."

I would have thought they'd have gone with the vets, being the last warm up game before the seasons starts on Tuesday.

 

[princedpw]

I've been impressed with Kulemin throughout the preseason. He seems to be shooting a lot more, although a few have been off the mark. When he scored 30 goals he was 3rd on the team in shots with 173. He hasn't been close to that in the past couple of seasons and that's obviously a big reason for his decreased goal totals. Who knows why the shots stopped, but it looks like they're back. If Carlyle comes to his senses and starts the season with Lupul-Kadri-Kulemin as the 2nd line I think Kuly is going to force him to make a very difficult decision once Clarkson's suspension is over.

Offensively, in terms of raw goals and points over the last few years, overall Kulemin has been pretty similar or slightly superior to Clarkson.  I don't really know much about Clarkson's defensive play, but Kulemin's is clearly stellar (at least relative to other leafs wingers).  Hence, there may be good reason to believe that Kulemin has consistently been the superior player.  He just doesn't get the hype.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

LHF MIA? I see no hearts for Lupul!?!

yeah, sorry about that. I had (don't laugh! I've been getting them for years) a bout of back spasms yesterday.. Started at about 4 am, and I spend the last 36 hours in a Tylenol3/Flexiril stupor. Game was apparently on, (Detroit, right?) but I have no recollection of anything but back pain yesterday.

so, belatedly:

 

better?

 

[Kin]

yeah, sorry about that. I had (don't laugh! I've been getting them for years) a bout of back spasms yesterday.

I have to say, that's taking the Lupul fandom to a whole new level.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

yeah, sorry about that. I had (don't laugh! I've been getting them for years) a bout of back spasms yesterday.

I have to say, that's taking the Lupul fandom to a whole new level.

It's got nothing to do with Lupul fandom Nik. I've been getting those verdammte back spasms since before Lupul was even born?They are not fun. Worse than labour pains.