Game 9 - Leafs @ Rangers - Thursday Oct 27th 2011 - 19:00 EST - 4-2 Win

[maplesyrup]

I thought we were better that period. The Rangers D seem to have a problem with our speed. 

 

[Kin]

He covered a lose puck in the blue paint with both hands, and then shielded it with his body... that would be fine... for a Goalie!

The rule book says to be a penalty shot he'd either have to have fallen on it or picked it up. I don't think it's clear he did either.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

so again we seem to play much better after the first...so i guess it may be that we're a good second period team...but why does it seem like year after year we're a bad first period team?  or is it just a by product of being a bad team?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Then why did they blow the whistle if the puck wasn't stopped?

Because they lost sight of it when it was under him, I assume. Certainly not the first time a ref has blown a quick whistle in that situation and I don't think you compound the mistake with a penalty shot.

Well I disagree, but it is what it is.

 

[Tigger]

so again we seem to play much better after the first...so i guess it may be that we're a good second period team...but why does it seem like year after year we're a bad first period team?  or is it just a by product of being a bad team?

I blame ghosts.

 

[maplesyrup]

so again we seem to play much better after the first...so i guess it may be that we're a good second period team...but why does it seem like year after year we're a bad first period team?  or is it just a by product of being a bad team?

I just mentioned our speed. Maybe it wears some slower teams down later in games? Or, maybe not... I really don't know.

 

[bustaheims]

Betcha the Leafs didn't intend on that but I also just can't get my head around sloughing Goose off, or a lot of nhl players really while he's healthy after 5 games. If he lets in 10 in the third or doesn't get a Howe-trick ok but man that's some tough sledding.

Well, you should know me well enough to know that I'm not basing things entirely off these few games, but rather, his entire career as a Leaf.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

so again we seem to play much better after the first...so i guess it may be that we're a good second period team...but why does it seem like year after year we're a bad first period team?  or is it just a by product of being a bad team?

I just mentioned our speed. Maybe it wears some slower teams down later in games? Or, maybe not... I really don't know.

it's got to be something..because you know the team isn't going out there thinking ..let's just take it easy in the first..and it doesn't matter if they're at home or away...so it's not just because the opponent is psyched...it's just weird

 

[Tigger]

so again we seem to play much better after the first...so i guess it may be that we're a good second period team...but why does it seem like year after year we're a bad first period team?  or is it just a by product of being a bad team?

I just mentioned our speed. Maybe it wears some slower teams down later in games? Or, maybe not... I really don't know.

I still think the BS influence early has led to slightly less, well not physical.... maybe 'fear' based playing? That's not really right either but I think, given the nature of the roster, that the Leafs are enjoying a benefit of a different checking landscape.

 

[Tigger]

Betcha the Leafs didn't intend on that but I also just can't get my head around sloughing Goose off, or a lot of nhl players really while he's healthy after 5 games. If he lets in 10 in the third or doesn't get a Howe-trick ok but man that's some tough sledding.

Well, you should know me well enough to know that I'm not basing things entirely off these few games, but rather, his entire career as a Leaf.

I respect your opinion, no doubt, I just think you're being a bit hard on him.

I have to wonder about the effect of a series of disappointments on both player and fan, sometimes they end up Murphy, sometimes they end up Antropov, y'know?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Well, Winnipeg's blowing that one.

 

[maplesyrup]

6-6 now, Crazy.

 

[bustaheims]

I respect your opinion, no doubt, I just think you're being a bit hard on him.

I have to wonder about the effect of a series of disappointments on both player and fan, sometimes they end up Murphy, sometimes they end up Antropov, y'know?

True, and if Gustavsson was 4 or 5 years younger, I'd probably be more lenient on him in hopes that he'd improve with age, but, unfortunately for Gustavsson, he's at that age and point in his professional career where goalies generally are what they're going to be - Tim Thomas excepted, of course.

 

[bustaheims]

So, Winnipeg is, like, pretty bad, eh?

 

[BlueWhiteBlood]

YES!

 

[bustaheims]

Kablammo!

 

[barney_rebel]

We rule man

 

[13th fan]

Ya Baby

 

[maplesyrup]

Luuuuuuuu!

 

[Jeremiad]

I love Lupul.