Game 57. TOR vs. CGY. 9:00pm EST.

[gunnar36]

I know we had that discussion ages ago, but I really wish that Kessel would take a hit or two to make a play.  Not all the time, because I do understand the "better to have him in the lineup and healthy than injured" viewpoint, but he turns away from every single close play in the corner whether there is an impending hit or not.

He is who he is.  Much as you hate to do it, I would think about splitting up Lupul and Kessel.  They are so bad together defensively.  I'd see how Kessel does on Grabovski's line.

Kessel is bad defensively, but Bozak is totally useless in his own end.  Watch Bozak on the first goal, he is coasting in no mans land with no urgency at all in his stride....second goal he makes a terrible line change that leads to Calgary 2 on 1.  This line is often hemmed in its own end and I think you could point the finger at Bozak for his passive defensive play.

 

[Newbury]

I know we had that discussion ages ago, but I really wish that Kessel would take a hit or two to make a play.  Not all the time, because I do understand the "better to have him in the lineup and healthy than injured" viewpoint, but he turns away from every single close play in the corner whether there is an impending hit or not.

He is who he is.  Much as you hate to do it, I would think about splitting up Lupul and Kessel.  They are so bad together defensively.  I'd see how Kessel does on Grabovski's line.

Kessel is bad defensively, but Bozak is totally useless in his own end.  Watch Bozak on the first goal, he is coasting in no mans land with no urgency at all in his stride....second goal he makes a terrible line change that leads to Calgary 2 on 1.  This line is often hemmed in its own end and I think you could point the finger at Bozak for his passive defensive play.

Bozak is easily the best in his own zone on that line. Not saying much, but still.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

I know we had that discussion ages ago, but I really wish that Kessel would take a hit or two to make a play.  Not all the time, because I do understand the "better to have him in the lineup and healthy than injured" viewpoint, but he turns away from every single close play in the corner whether there is an impending hit or not.

He is who he is.  Much as you hate to do it, I would think about splitting up Lupul and Kessel.  They are so bad together defensively.  I'd see how Kessel does on Grabovski's line.

Kessel is bad defensively, but Bozak is totally useless in his own end.  Watch Bozak on the first goal, he is coasting in no mans land with no urgency at all in his stride....second goal he makes a terrible line change that leads to Calgary 2 on 1.  This line is often hemmed in its own end and I think you could point the finger at Bozak for his passive defensive play.

i agree..i think while bozak hasn't hurt the top line in terms of offense ...he definitely doesn't help them on the back end ....but we always knew he wasn't a top line center right?

 

[ZBBM]

I know we had that discussion ages ago, but I really wish that Kessel would take a hit or two to make a play.  Not all the time, because I do understand the "better to have him in the lineup and healthy than injured" viewpoint, but he turns away from every single close play in the corner whether there is an impending hit or not.

He is who he is.  Much as you hate to do it, I would think about splitting up Lupul and Kessel.  They are so bad together defensively.  I'd see how Kessel does on Grabovski's line.

Kessel is bad defensively, but Bozak is totally useless in his own end.  Watch Bozak on the first goal, he is coasting in no mans land with no urgency at all in his stride....second goal he makes a terrible line change that leads to Calgary 2 on 1.  This line is often hemmed in its own end and I think you could point the finger at Bozak for his passive defensive play.

No denying it in this game.  Anyway, my point being to get Kessel off that line and see what happens.

 

[azzurri63]

At this point isn't it better to just waive Komi and give another D-man a shot? Holzer, Aulie whoever?

I mean the guy sits for a huge amount of time, and isn't likely to step in and handle big minutes well, and surprise he has a meltdown and fans will jump all over him.

We're in the middle of a playoff race, and we're putting in the guy who flat out can't play. I don't get this team. Meritocracy my left foot....

I'd waive Phaneuf before I'd ditch Komi.  And I'm (almost) serious.  You cannot have a captain playing like crap in his own end more games than not.

Watched repeated highlights of both goals and not sure what Phaneuf did so bad defensively?  He was at the end of a shift on the first one and was kind of running around, but that was due to reacting to a shot that missed the net and went around the boards - it was the forwards (Lupul/Bozak) who completely missed the Flames guy come in off the boards.

The second goal - well, terrible line change and Komisarek.

Tonight I was thinking of the first goal and his allowing Iginla to get behind him earlier (luckily the pass didn't connect).

He's just not good enough defensively, period.

I certainly don't think he's great defensively, but I don't think he's bad either, and if he's putting up around 50 points then I can live with it a little more than say....Mr. Komisarek.

I'd rather have neither, so it's not a case of trying to judge which is the lesser of two evils.

Phaneuf reminds me of a Poni on defense: not only does his make too many mistakes, he makes especially deflating bonehead mistakes.

If Poni was one of the top point producers at his position I'm sure people would have been a bit more lenient on the guy (not that I was ever one of the ones who thought he was the devil).

The guy makes 6.5 million a season. Why do you think the Flames signed him to that? His job is to put points up on the scoreboard. With the offensive production comes lapses and moments when he gets caught etc and we can live with that but McFate is right too many stupid mistakes that seem to cost us. I can understand his emotions may be running a little high tonight being back against his old team but Kypreos is right he has to play smarter manage his shifts. He was definitely gassed on the one goal and same thing Saturday when Eller left him standing there without his jock strap. Long shift that cost us. Like I said last week boatloads of talent but nothing upstairs.

 

[L K]

I'd start Komisarek on the ice for the 2nd period too!  Also, it is sad seeing him skate around with an A on his chest.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Our 4th line was out with Schenn and Komisarek.

 

[harps64]

Any streams? My usual suspects aren't helping...

try this, its not great........koratv.net have a few others as well, hope it helps.      http://jlstv.blogspot.com/

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Our 4th line was out with Schenn and Komisarek.

And again. Now the coaching staff is just mocking me.

 

[Coderaspberry]

In the off-season, I think it should be mandatory for every Leaf to attend Mike Brown's School of Giving A Damn.  Love his hustle.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

3 posts now, one of which we ended up scoring on.

 

[pnjunction]

See it's easy to think Luke Schenn got caught standing still there, if you didn't know that he was actually at full speed

 

[pnjunction]

Penalty shot can probably book 3-1...

 

[pnjunction]

Yep

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Well that sucked.

 

[ZBBM]

Well, Phaneuf was stellar there, costing us a goal.  :

 

[Mikhail Bloodnovsky]

Our captain everyone

 

[pnjunction]

This team is going places

Trade some more picks away we're almost there

 

[maplesyrup]

Oh good... Now I can go to bed. 'night everyone.

 

[Chev-boyar-sky]

Kulemin channeling himself circa 2010/11.