azzurri63 said:
That's what I think is one of our biggest problems. Some think Burke built this tough team. Looks tough because of the scraps. Team to me is too soft. No reason guys should be left standing around Reimer or in our end. You can't blame the defense only it's a team thing. Team defence. The Bozak line. Never seen 3 softer players and they are all on one line. JVR is a big kid but you would never know it. Throw someone out there that can help offensively but has a mean streak to offset that. Understand it's your top line but they are a total liabilty in our end. I know Potvin your going to disagree with me but how come anyone in any kind of slump always seem to come out of it against the Leafs. I know it could be a combination of things maybe a lot of players coming home but I think it's because we are weak and soft defensively and a lot of players know that and play harder because of that. Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren etc because those players won't go after them so the rest of the team have to make it hard on these guys. Play them tough but they are allowed to freewheel thus putting points up against us all the time. Toughness team defence 2 big problems not just this year been going on for a long time.
I'll agree with you about the defense but not the "toughness" You say "Guys like Tavares, Crosby, Stamkos aren't afraid of Orr, McLaren ... " Who are they afraid of? If we had Hartnell on our top line would Crosby run away and not score on us? Because Crosby never scores on the Flyers? See, I don't think it matters who Crosby or Tavares face. I don't think they are intimidated by anyone.
Let's talk about the real reasons why we are getting outshot 3-1.