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Game 28: Penguins @ Leafs - Mar. 14th, 7:00PM - Sportsnet, Fan 590

bustaheims said:
jonasTSN1050: Kostka getting extra work after skate. Looks like he'll be the odd man out with Liles going on.
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I don't really understand how a guy goes from playing 20-25 minutes a night to a healthy scratch. Not that I disagree with the scratching of Kostka; it just seems weird that a coach would scratch a guy who he plays so constantly and in so many integral game situations.
 
Kessel Run said:
It's. About. Time.

Now please don't have Orr and McLaren out there all night please. No one to fight on the Penguins.
Click to expand...

It's interesting how quick some people get on a coach.

Most felt this team had no business talking about a playoff spot at the start of the season, and now the team is firmly in contention to make the playoffs.

Looking at the roster, Carlyle has certainly got quite a bit of production out of it, in my opinion.  I'm not going to be too critical of his lineup decisions...I'm not a big fan of the 'tough guy' fourth line, but I will admit that I'm very surprised at how well this team has done so far this season.  Maybe that fourth line has created an atmosphere that is more conducive to winning hockey games...maybe.
 
Frank E said:
Kessel Run said:
It's. About. Time.

Now please don't have Orr and McLaren out there all night please. No one to fight on the Penguins.
Click to expand...

It's interesting how quick some people get on a coach.

Most felt this team had no business talking about a playoff spot at the start of the season, and now the team is firmly in contention to make the playoffs.

Looking at the roster, Carlyle has certainly got quite a bit of production out of it, in my opinion.  I'm not going to be too critical of his lineup decisions...I'm not a big fan of the 'tough guy' fourth line, but I will admit that I'm very surprised at how well this team has done so far this season.  Maybe that fourth line has created an atmosphere that is more conducive to winning hockey games...maybe.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised with the success as well, but in the recent losses can you really say that Holzer and Kostka were playing well enough to stay in the lineup, and that Liles and maybe even Komisarek were that bad to be scratched every night?

After a loss you can usually say that something went wrong, so mix it up a little. Give some rest, use your depth.
 
Andy007 said:
bustaheims said:
jonasTSN1050: Kostka getting extra work after skate. Looks like he'll be the odd man out with Liles going on.
Click to expand...

I don't really understand how a guy goes from playing 20-25 minutes a night to a healthy scratch. Not that I disagree with the scratching of Kostka; it just seems weird that a coach would scratch a guy who he plays so constantly and in so many integral game situations.
Click to expand...

So....you're trying to understand Carlyle's roster decisions? Next you'll want
to understand the ice times given to each player....or the powerplay....

Think about what you're asking yourself to understand...and feel better
that you don't stand a chance.
 
Kessel Run said:
Frank E said:
Kessel Run said:
It's. About. Time.

Now please don't have Orr and McLaren out there all night please. No one to fight on the Penguins.
Click to expand...

It's interesting how quick some people get on a coach.

Most felt this team had no business talking about a playoff spot at the start of the season, and now the team is firmly in contention to make the playoffs.

Looking at the roster, Carlyle has certainly got quite a bit of production out of it, in my opinion.  I'm not going to be too critical of his lineup decisions...I'm not a big fan of the 'tough guy' fourth line, but I will admit that I'm very surprised at how well this team has done so far this season.  Maybe that fourth line has created an atmosphere that is more conducive to winning hockey games...maybe.
Click to expand...

I'm surprised with the success as well, but in the recent losses can you really say that Holzer and Kostka were playing well enough to stay in the lineup, and that Liles and maybe even Komisarek were that bad to be scratched every night?

After a loss you can usually say that something went wrong, so mix it up a little. Give some rest, use your depth.
Click to expand...

Many of us, me included, have been lobbying for 'playing the kids', to see what they're made of.

They're doing just that.  These guys are very inexperienced NHLers, so they're going to have some off games.

I would keep inserting them into the lineup to see if they're re-sign material or not.  I mentioned yesterday that I think Liles has been informed of what the Leafs are doing here, and he's easy to take out of the lineup because he's got himself a good contract already.  He can be inserted anytime, like they're doing tonight.

Komisarek is a diferent thing altogether...I doubt he sees another minute of ice-time as a Leaf.  He's not in the plans, so there really isn't much point in trying to build up a team with him in the lineup.
 
I like putting liles in for  Kostka.  Kostka is an offensive guy that isn't putting up many points.  Give him a rest and see if he can get his game together.
 
Liles is good for the offense. Problem is that wasn't the issue last game. It was the defence that needs the help against this Pens offense. We need more shutdown type defenceman, especially for this one. Pens win this one handily.
 
Rebel_1812 said:
I like putting liles in for  Kostka.  Kostka is an offensive guy that isn't putting up many points.  Give him a rest and see if he can get his game together.
Click to expand...

Left side d-man for left side d-man.  Phaneuf and Fraser weren't coming out so Kostka it is.
 
RedLeaf said:
Liles is good for the offense. Problem is that wasn't the issue last game. It was the defence that needs the help against this Pens offense. We need more shutdown type defenceman, especially for this one. Pens win this one handily.
Click to expand...

One of the areas that has really been hurting them is the PP such as the 5 on 3 in the Jets game. they score there and it's a whole different game.  Phaneuf is QB'ing the PP which isn't working. They need someone who can run the PP better and Liles can do that if he's given the chance. 

The shutdown should come from the 4 other shutdown d-men already in the lineup... Phaneuf, Holzer, Fraser and Gunnarson. 

Also not sure why everyone gets so down on Holzer.. as a rookie on the top pairing I'd say mistakes should be expected.  Is that the best place for him to be? Well, if trying to find some chemistry and balance it may well be. Ideally he'd be a 6th d-man and he's playing a #2 role.  Live with some mistakes here and there... expectations are  little high though.
 
Corn Flake said:
One of the areas that has really been hurting them is the PP such as the 5 on 3 in the Jets game. they score there and it's a whole different game.  Phaneuf is QB'ing the PP which isn't working. They need someone who can run the PP better and Liles can do that if he's given the chance. 
Click to expand...

How is the PP an area that's been hurting them?  Going into the Jets game it was at 18.6%, in the top half of the league.
 
Potvin29 said:
Corn Flake said:
One of the areas that has really been hurting them is the PP such as the 5 on 3 in the Jets game. they score there and it's a whole different game.  Phaneuf is QB'ing the PP which isn't working. They need someone who can run the PP better and Liles can do that if he's given the chance. 
Click to expand...

How is the PP an area that's been hurting them?  Going into the Jets game it was at 18.6%, in the top half of the league.
Click to expand...

Here's the rules:  After you don't score on a 5-3, your powerplay is declared broken. 
 
Frank E said:
Potvin29 said:
Corn Flake said:
One of the areas that has really been hurting them is the PP such as the 5 on 3 in the Jets game. they score there and it's a whole different game.  Phaneuf is QB'ing the PP which isn't working. They need someone who can run the PP better and Liles can do that if he's given the chance. 
Click to expand...

How is the PP an area that's been hurting them?  Going into the Jets game it was at 18.6%, in the top half of the league.
Click to expand...

Here's the rules:  After you don't score on a 5-3, your powerplay is declared broken.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, basically..that was nearly a full 2 minute one too.. especially how that particular one went.  Kessel was going out of his mind trying to get Phaneuf's attention.. Kessel was wide open off the left side of the net.  Phaneuf just kept shooting.  A good PPQB gets Kessel that puck.
 
Corn Flake said:
Frank E said:
Potvin29 said:
Corn Flake said:
One of the areas that has really been hurting them is the PP such as the 5 on 3 in the Jets game. they score there and it's a whole different game.  Phaneuf is QB'ing the PP which isn't working. They need someone who can run the PP better and Liles can do that if he's given the chance. 
Click to expand...

How is the PP an area that's been hurting them?  Going into the Jets game it was at 18.6%, in the top half of the league.
Click to expand...

Here's the rules:  After you don't score on a 5-3, your powerplay is declared broken.
Click to expand...

Well yeah, basically..that was nearly a full 2 minute one too.. especially how that particular one went.  Kessel was going out of his mind trying to get Phaneuf's attention.. Kessel was wide open off the left side of the net.  Phaneuf just kept shooting.  A good PPQB gets Kessel that puck.
Click to expand...

I would expect Phaneuf and Franson to stay on the top PP pairing. Franson has looked pretty good and there's pretty much no way that Carlyle takes Phaneuf off of it. If Liles does bump Franson, at least we'll finally have a defenceman on his weak-side side for once (DE-FAULT! DE-FAULT!).
 
Caroline Cameron ‏@SNCaroline
In the dressing room Komisarek yelled- "you've graduated! I'm like a proud papa" to Liles who is back in the lineup. #Leafs
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Pretty funny. I'm glad Komisarek is still in good spirits. He always seemed like a good guy and teammate. I still hope that when Lupul returns Holzer gets sent down and Komi gets a shot.
 
CarltonTheBear said:
I would expect Phaneuf and Franson to stay on the top PP pairing. Franson has looked pretty good and there's pretty much no way that Carlyle takes Phaneuf off of it. If Liles does bump Franson, at least we'll finally have a defenceman on his weak-side side for once (DE-FAULT! DE-FAULT!).
Click to expand...

I hear you on the likelihood of Franson/Phaneuf staying there ... I just don't like them together because they are both shooters.  PP needs a different dynamic that can draw a defender out from the box.  WPG just collapsed into a narrow box and blocked out Phaneuf's shot. He didn't try much else.  Liles would at least pull the right side forward out more, which should give Kessel more room if he plays a little higher.
 
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