Is this the turning point???

[rdowdall]

The issue with the defence concerns the style of the game Carlyle is trying to develop, Liles isn't a grinder type though he is an effective skater and passer, Komi isn't much of anything if he can't beat out Holzer and frankly that is the case.

Giving time in a compressed schedule to see what these players are made of is fine by me, I think they already know what they have with the players that are sitting or in the minors.

Fwiw, to the OP, it's too early to say if this is the turning point but the system Carlyle has the team playing seems a lot more legitimate for success with the playoffs in mind, they were a skating team before, now they're beginning to incorporate some physicality and grind to their game. We'll see how it goes, whether they can sustain this kind of play but it sure seems like they have the capacity for some success now.

Getting some goaltending sure helps...

I think Carlyle's system is predicated on quick passes out of the zone, and those that want to carry the puck sit in the press box.

If this is true, then what does it mean for our two blue chip, (carry out of the zone) offensive minded defenseman, Gardiner and Rielly, waiting in the wings?

That's for Nonis to decide I guess.  If you look at how the Bruins play, they always have an outlet pass. pretty close to them.  I think Carlyle wants the same sort of thing.  Puck support and passes out of the zone.  If you try and carry it out, you may get caught and then it comes back on you.  I've just noticed that there haven't been too many rushes out of the zone by the d this year.  It could be because the D lacks this skill, but then if this skill was needed, why is Liles sitting. 

 

[hockeyfan1]

Nice accolades...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/johnston-crosby-calls-leafs-a-playoff-team/

?I think they?re a playoff team,? Penguins captain Sidney Crosby told sportsnet.ca on Saturday night.

?They?ve got a lot of speed, they forecheck hard and I think on defence they?re pretty solid,? Crosby added after Pittsburgh?s 5-4 shootout victory at an amped-up Air Canada Centre. ?I see them being a playoff team. They?re playing well and getting wins for a reason.?

?I?m not surprised to see them be a tough team to play against and a good team,? said Pittsburgh coach Dan Bylsma.

 

[Champ Kind]

I think a collective breath needs to be taken.  Slumps happen, even to good teams.  Or maybe the recent three game trend is more of a correction, bringing the Leafs back to where they should probably be (fighting for a playoff spot, not comfortably owning one). But I really don't see how Jake Gardiner, Dallas Eakins, or anyone else is going to "save" the team (my interpretation of how some are looking at this whole thing). 

Personally speaking?  They need to trade some people and make some room for Lupul and Gardiner (and Colborne, for that matter).  They need to keep and augment their draft picks this year.  They need to play hard and fight to get in the playoffs.  And yes, I also like Randy Carlyle and will defer to his judgement for now.

 

[rdowdall]

Now the Leafs are at the turning point.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I think a collective breath needs to be taken.  Slumps happen, even to good teams.  Or maybe the recent three game trend is more of a correction, bringing the Leafs back to where they should probably be (fighting for a playoff spot, not comfortably owning one). But I really don't see how Jake Gardiner, Dallas Eakins, or anyone else is going to "save" the team (my interpretation of how some are looking at this whole thing). 

Personally speaking?  They need to trade some people and make some room for Lupul and Gardiner (and Colborne, for that matter).  They need to keep and augment their draft picks this year.  They need to play hard and fight to get in the playoffs.  And yes, I also like Randy Carlyle and will defer to his judgement for now.

Well said CK.

The problem in Toronto, and it has been for a while, is the fans start believing the teams hype. Much like last year, the team was off to a fast start and now they've come back down to earth with a few lacklustre efforts.

Getting back up and battling is the key now.

Those that have jumped off the ship so quickly should realize that every boat takes on a little water now and again. It all depends on the crew handles it that determines what sort of team we're dealing with.

Everyone needs to take a step back and look objectively at what this team really is. They've always been a 7th - 10th place team.

 

[rdowdall]

I think a collective breath needs to be taken.  Slumps happen, even to good teams.  Or maybe the recent three game trend is more of a correction, bringing the Leafs back to where they should probably be (fighting for a playoff spot, not comfortably owning one). But I really don't see how Jake Gardiner, Dallas Eakins, or anyone else is going to "save" the team (my interpretation of how some are looking at this whole thing). 

Personally speaking?  They need to trade some people and make some room for Lupul and Gardiner (and Colborne, for that matter).  They need to keep and augment their draft picks this year.  They need to play hard and fight to get in the playoffs.  And yes, I also like Randy Carlyle and will defer to his judgement for now.

Well said CK.

The problem in Toronto, and it has been for a while, is the fans start believing the teams hype. Much like last year, the team was off to a fast start and now they've come back down to earth with a few lacklustre efforts.

Getting back up and battling is the key now.

Those that have jumped off the ship so quickly should realize that every boat takes on a little water now and again. It all depends on the crew handles it that determines what sort of team we're dealing with.

Everyone needs to take a step back and look objectively at what this team really is. They've always been a 7th - 10th place team.

I realize that they are a 7th - 10th place team.  I just feel that after 7 years out of the playoffs, they shouldn't be that.

 

[Zee]

I think a collective breath needs to be taken.  Slumps happen, even to good teams.  Or maybe the recent three game trend is more of a correction, bringing the Leafs back to where they should probably be (fighting for a playoff spot, not comfortably owning one). But I really don't see how Jake Gardiner, Dallas Eakins, or anyone else is going to "save" the team (my interpretation of how some are looking at this whole thing). 

Personally speaking?  They need to trade some people and make some room for Lupul and Gardiner (and Colborne, for that matter).  They need to keep and augment their draft picks this year.  They need to play hard and fight to get in the playoffs.  And yes, I also like Randy Carlyle and will defer to his judgement for now.

Well said CK.

The problem in Toronto, and it has been for a while, is the fans start believing the teams hype. Much like last year, the team was off to a fast start and now they've come back down to earth with a few lacklustre efforts.

Getting back up and battling is the key now.

Those that have jumped off the ship so quickly should realize that every boat takes on a little water now and again. It all depends on the crew handles it that determines what sort of team we're dealing with.

Everyone needs to take a step back and look objectively at what this team really is. They've always been a 7th - 10th place team.

I realize that they are a 7th - 10th place team.  I just feel that after 7 years out of the playoffs, they shouldn't be that.

That's the frustrating part.  After 7 years of nothing, you would hope they were on the rise and considered soon to be contenders instead of what we're seeing.  Of course things can change quickly with the right moves, I mean look at the Habs from 15th to 1st.  Of course they have a solid goalie night in and night out, that always helps.

 

[OldTimeHockey]

I think a collective breath needs to be taken.  Slumps happen, even to good teams.  Or maybe the recent three game trend is more of a correction, bringing the Leafs back to where they should probably be (fighting for a playoff spot, not comfortably owning one). But I really don't see how Jake Gardiner, Dallas Eakins, or anyone else is going to "save" the team (my interpretation of how some are looking at this whole thing). 

Personally speaking?  They need to trade some people and make some room for Lupul and Gardiner (and Colborne, for that matter).  They need to keep and augment their draft picks this year.  They need to play hard and fight to get in the playoffs.  And yes, I also like Randy Carlyle and will defer to his judgement for now.

Well said CK.

The problem in Toronto, and it has been for a while, is the fans start believing the teams hype. Much like last year, the team was off to a fast start and now they've come back down to earth with a few lacklustre efforts.

Getting back up and battling is the key now.

Those that have jumped off the ship so quickly should realize that every boat takes on a little water now and again. It all depends on the crew handles it that determines what sort of team we're dealing with.

Everyone needs to take a step back and look objectively at what this team really is. They've always been a 7th - 10th place team.

I realize that they are a 7th - 10th place team.  I just feel that after 7 years out of the playoffs, they shouldn't be that.

How come? They've shown strides in the right direction. They've gotten younger. They've gotten faster. They've become more competitive on a nightly basis. 2-3 years ago the Leafs were barely watchable.

I remember watching them down 5 or 6 nothing about 6 years ago after a period in Ottawa. I was at the game. It made me want to puke.

Sure I'm frustrated by the lack of playoff time, but unfortunately, the only way you and I can change the fact that we cheer for a borderline team is to stop cheering.

 

[TML fan]

Playoffs were a nice pipe dream. It's not happening this year.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Playoffs were a nice pipe dream. It's not happening this year.

Hey, can't give up so fast! 

 

[bustaheims]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

The negativity around here is going to be brutal with all this time off.

 

[maplesyrup]

* sigh

 

[nutman]

Lets hope Caryle gets the team working hard again. I have not seen them out working other teams as much as they were ten games back. Lets hope its not an issue of not having that extra gear that the high end teams are starting to kick into.

 

[Zee]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

Wonder if the Leafs can continue to move up in the standings if they lost the next 5 in a row?  Bizzaro hockey league?

 

[L K]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

Wonder if the Leafs can continue to move up in the standings if they lost the next 5 in a row?  Bizzaro hockey league?

To be clear, they were 5th when they started this 5 game losing streak, so they dropped a spot in the standings since the slide.

 

[Zee]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

Wonder if the Leafs can continue to move up in the standings if they lost the next 5 in a row?  Bizzaro hockey league?

To be clear, they were 5th when they started this 5 game losing streak, so they dropped a spot in the standings since the slide.

Yeah I know. I was pointing out the absurdity of Mark Masters putting a positive spin on a 5 game win less skid.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

Wonder if the Leafs can continue to move up in the standings if they lost the next 5 in a row?  Bizzaro hockey league?

To be clear, they were 5th when they started this 5 game losing streak, so they dropped a spot in the standings since the slide.

Yeah I know. I was pointing out the absurdity of Mark Masters putting a positive spin on a 5 game win less skid.

There was no "spin," he stated a fact.

 

[Zee]

markhmasters: Despite all the angst surrounding Toronto's 5th straight loss, Leafs actually moved up in the standings tonight (7th to 6th)

Wonder if the Leafs can continue to move up in the standings if they lost the next 5 in a row?  Bizzaro hockey league?

To be clear, they were 5th when they started this 5 game losing streak, so they dropped a spot in the standings since the slide.

Yeah I know. I was pointing out the absurdity of Mark Masters putting a positive spin on a 5 game win less skid.

There was no "spin," he stated a fact.

Sure it's a fact but the way he said it "despite the angst" implies Leafs fans shouldn't be so down on the team. Winless in 5 - no worries they moved up a spot in the standings!

 

[bustaheims]

Sure it's a fact but the way he said it "despite the angst" implies Leafs fans shouldn't be so down on the team. Winless in 5 - no worries they moved up a spot in the standings!

There's no spin there. Trust me. I know Mark well. This is just about putting things into perspective. A 5 game winless skid sucks, sure, but, he's really just pointing out that the sky is not falling yet.