Blue Jackets @ Leafs - Mar. 3rd, 7:00pm - SN, SN 590

[gunnar36]

Clarkson checked by the ref, lands right on his back.  Funny stuff.

Clarkson is so weak and awkward on his skates for a 'power forward'

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Clarkson fell. Everybody drink!

 

[lc9]

Really need some secondary scoring.

 

[bustaheims]

Like Nik just said, they played well enough in the 1st period, and have played well for many stretches this season. It's inconsistency. I don't agree with a lot of Carlyle's decisions, but I don't blame him for individuals having brain farts.  Some of these pop up over and over with the same players (ie Franson) Others are from rookies learning the game. And effort, or lack of it, is squarely on the players shoulders. Period.

But, we're not just talking about individual brain farts. We're talking team-wide issues. There's absolutely no reason all 5 skaters should be within 5 feet of their own net so frequently. There are constant issues with breakouts, zone entries, puck support, etc. None of these have anything to do with effort. As for the stretches of overall good play, they've been short and isolated. Even when the Leafs were winning, they were playing poorly defensively. The fact that the puck was going in for them really helped mask that for a lot of people. Playing well for one period of the game doesn't change a thing. In fact, that it's so easy for other teams to turn the table on the Leafs after a good period on such a regular basis is a coaching issue. The Leafs system is way too easy to take advantage of when the top line isn't producing.

 

[lc9]

You can't put Clarkson on the ice, he can't skate and he is out of position.  Give them a chance Randy. 

 

[freer]

Clarkson fell. Everybody drink!

It could not be any worse then Kadri. I hope they trade him

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

No idea what Clarkson has done to deserve 2nd line time.

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

the Multiple Clarkson Reaction Bear(s):

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Clarkson fell. Everybody drink!

It could not be any worse then Kadri. I hope they trade him

It couldn't be any worse than the player heavily outscoring Clarkson at a far greater value? Right.

 

[lc9]

Kadri gets a wide open chance and he muffs it.  Brutal.  They can't even get a shot on net on a wide open chance.  Lots of puck fumbling.

 

[Redleaf]

Phaneuf's skating is becoming a legitimate problem.

I wonder if he took things a tad too easy during the Olympic break. I missed the Islanders game, but tonight and Saturday night have probably been two of the worst games I've seen him play consecutively.

I mean, if he's not effectively defensively he's really not bringing anything to the table. A night like tonight where he's genuinely bad and it's a real issue for the team.

This team is sorely lacking legitimate defensive defensemen. I really hope Nonis can address this problem before the team slides completely out of a playoff spot. (Either through trade on Wednesday or promotion from the farm)

 

[lc9]

It seems like Clarkson is being double shifted.  We are being trolled.

 

[Jalili]

It's funny, because Clarkson is a terrible fit with Kadri/Lupul while Kulemin actually complements the two really well.

 

[bustaheims]

Clarkson fell. Everybody drink!

It could not be any worse then Kadri. I hope they trade him

It couldn't be any worse than the player heavily outscoring Clarkson at a far greater value? Right.

Roughly half the money, four times the production. But, he falls sometimes. Trade the bum.

 

[L K]

Who knew that shots into the chest of the goalie from a bad angle don't create sustained scoring opportunities.  If you are going to take those low quality shots, take them at the pads to try and create rebounds.

 

[Kin]

But, we're not just talking about individual brain farts. We're talking team-wide issues. There's absolutely no reason all 5 skaters should be within 5 feet of their own net so frequently. There are constant issues with breakouts, zone entries, puck support, etc. None of these have anything to do with effort. As for the stretches of overall good play, they've been short and isolated. Even when the Leafs were winning, they were playing poorly defensively. The fact that the puck was going in for them really helped mask that for a lot of people. Playing well for one period of the game doesn't change a thing. In fact, that it's so easy for other teams to turn the table on the Leafs after a good period on such a regular basis is a coaching issue. The Leafs system is way too easy to take advantage of when the top line isn't producing.

I think the thing though is that it's not an either/or thing. There are things I don't like about Carlyle's coaching but just now Millen said, correctly, that the Leafs aren't winning any individual battles and, I mean, there's just nothing that Carlyle can do about that. Like it or not, that's a huge part of why this team stumbles for stretches. The difference between what the Kessel line did in the 1st and since? That's not because they were coached differently or used differently.

 

[lc9]

My god.  This team isn't going to make the playoffs.  All these road games coming up too, this could get ugly.  This team couldn't be coached any worse, they are never in defensive position.  They play drop in hockey.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Why is Clarkson out so much? Unreal.

 

[L K]

But, we're not just talking about individual brain farts. We're talking team-wide issues. There's absolutely no reason all 5 skaters should be within 5 feet of their own net so frequently. There are constant issues with breakouts, zone entries, puck support, etc. None of these have anything to do with effort. As for the stretches of overall good play, they've been short and isolated. Even when the Leafs were winning, they were playing poorly defensively. The fact that the puck was going in for them really helped mask that for a lot of people. Playing well for one period of the game doesn't change a thing. In fact, that it's so easy for other teams to turn the table on the Leafs after a good period on such a regular basis is a coaching issue. The Leafs system is way too easy to take advantage of when the top line isn't producing.

I think the thing though is that it's not an either/or thing. There are things I don't like about Carlyle's coaching but just now Millen said, correctly, that the Leafs aren't winning any individual battles and, I mean, there's just nothing that Carlyle can do about that. Like it or not, that's a huge part of why this team stumbles for stretches. The difference between what the Kessel line did in the 1st and since? That's not because they were coached differently or used differently.

It's hard to argue with that.  The only thing I can counter with is a lack of accountability?  I mean, if the team is continually not working hard, eventually that just becomes an acceptable part of the team culture.  If Phaneuf isn't going to stand up in the dressing room and do something about it, then the coach should.

 

[Redleaf]

Like Nik just said, they played well enough in the 1st period, and have played well for many stretches this season. It's inconsistency. I don't agree with a lot of Carlyle's decisions, but I don't blame him for individuals having brain farts.  Some of these pop up over and over with the same players (ie Franson) Others are from rookies learning the game. And effort, or lack of it, is squarely on the players shoulders. Period.

But, we're not just talking about individual brain farts. We're talking team-wide issues. There's absolutely no reason all 5 skaters should be within 5 feet of their own net so frequently. There are constant issues with breakouts, zone entries, puck support, etc. None of these have anything to do with effort. As for the stretches of overall good play, they've been short and isolated. Even when the Leafs were winning, they were playing poorly defensively. The fact that the puck was going in for them really helped mask that for a lot of people. Playing well for one period of the game doesn't change a thing. In fact, that it's so easy for other teams to turn the table on the Leafs after a good period on such a regular basis is a coaching issue. The Leafs system is way too easy to take advantage of when the top line isn't producing.

You've just isolated their number one problem here. The core of this teams defense is either too inexperienced, or too offensive minded.