Islanders @ Leafs - Jan. 7th, 7:00pm - TSN, SN 590

[moon111]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

By game do you mean video, ping-pong, or hockey?

 

[2badknees]

With four goals in two games, and being badly outshot, its hard to say this team gave up two wins just because of goaltending.

 

[Tigger]

Too bad, the team seemed to come out and play a decent first for once and were somewhat flat after Bernier messed the bed.

Bemused at the comments about Holland challenging Kadri and ever since being dealt Orr minutes, I don't get it.

 

[bustaheims]

Hope_Smoke: Peter Holland played 4:30 tonight.

Honestly, I think the thing about Carlyle that bugs me the most is his bench management. It's absurd.

 

[L K]

Playing a team on the 2nd of back-to-backs after getting a "wake up call" beatdown.  Getting outscored 2-0 in the 3rd.  Getting outshot 4-3 with <5 minutes left. 

Something needs to happen.  Either give up on the year, blow up the team or fire the coach.  This is embarrassing.

Uh ... they're in a playoff spot.

Only because the East has been bad for as long as it has.  They've been trending downwards out of a spot for over 2 months now.

With 47 points in 44 games now, the Leafs are on pace for 87.5 points...that has never made the playoffs.

There is also the problem that after a 10-4-0-0 October the Leafs have played 30 games going 11-14-5 (74 point pace).

 

[ZBBM]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Who would you say our best player is?  Not that it makes any difference to your comment, which I agree with completely.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Michael Traikos ‏@Michael_Traikos 48s
When I asked Bernier if he was happy that Carlyle stuck with him all night and he didn't get pulled, he responded: "Why would I get pulled?"

uh...

 

[azzurri63]

Hope_Smoke: Peter Holland played 4:30 tonight.

Honestly, I think the thing about Carlyle that bugs me the most is his bench management. It's absurd.

I couldn't stand Wilson Carlyle's not far behind. Question is will he ever change his ways. Like I said his favouritism is killing us.

 

[2badknees]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Who would you say our best player is?  Not that it makes any difference to your comment, which I agree with completely.

I think Kessel is paid to be our gamebreaker.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Kessel has done that many times in his Leafs career.  However, the expectations on him continue to be a moving goalpost.  All he does is score and put up points but he doesn't do it in the manner some people want because they want to believe in things like "clutch" and Wendel Clark.

 

[bustaheims]

With 47 points in 44 games now, the Leafs are on pace for 87.5 points...that has never made the playoffs.

There is also the problem that after a 10-4-0-0 October the Leafs have played 30 games going 11-14-5 (74 point pace).

They're also rapidly losing the cushion that was the terrible records of the top teams in the Metropolitan division. They're only 1 point up on the 2nd and 3rd place teams, and one of them - Philly - is leading late in the 3rd tonight. Suddenly, all those teams that weren't a threat to pass the Leafs because they'd pull into a top 3 spot in their division are becoming threats to pass the Leafs.

 

[ZBBM]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Who would you say our best player is?  Not that it makes any difference to your comment, which I agree with completely.

I think Kessel is paid to be our gamebreaker.

I'm afraid you're in for disappointment.  Phil Kessel couldn't take over a kindergarten class even if he had a platoon of marines backing him up.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

With 47 points in 44 games now, the Leafs are on pace for 87.5 points...that has never made the playoffs.

There is also the problem that after a 10-4-0-0 October the Leafs have played 30 games going 11-14-5 (74 point pace).

They're also rapidly losing the cushion that was the terrible records of the top teams in the Metropolitan division. They're only 1 point up on the 2nd and 3rd place teams, and one of them - Philly - is leading late in the 3rd tonight. Suddenly, all those teams that weren't a threat to pass the Leafs because they'd pull into a top 3 spot in their division are becoming threats to pass the Leafs.

Don't worry the Leafs will take the tieb---ohh.

 

[Tigger]

Gleason was better than I thought he'd be, so there's that.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

The Leafs could be out of a playoff spot by Thursday night if they lose to Carolina.

 

[bustaheims]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

In the last 5 games, the Leafs have all of 3 goals from forwards not named Kessel, JvR, Bozak or Lupul - one of which is from a guy Carlyle has mind-bogglingly demoted to the 4th line. The best players aren't really the issue. It's everyone else that isn't contributing.

 

[Sanecow]

Gleason was better than I thought he'd be, so there's that.

And Tavares didn't get injured, so that's a positive.

 

[2badknees]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Who would you say our best player is?  Not that it makes any difference to your comment, which I agree with completely.

I think Kessel is paid to be our gamebreaker.

I'm afraid you're in for disappointment.  Phil Kessel couldn't take over a kindergarten class even if he had a platoon of marines backing him up.

Heh. I think perhaps other teams have targeted him as Toronto's only consistent scoring threat, and are taking away his space more so than ever before. But he's not fighting through tight checking or driving to the net, because quite frankly that's not the type of player he is.

Its frustrating, but he'll always be a complementary player. We're just missing the second and third and fourth threat to take the pressure off him. Oh, and and about 2 decent defensemen. But all good apart from that.

 

[Andy007]

I think someone a few game day threads ago said it would be nice if our best player could prove it and take over the game at critical moments, like great players do.

Who would you say our best player is?  Not that it makes any difference to your comment, which I agree with completely.

I think Kessel is paid to be our gamebreaker.

I'm afraid you're in for disappointment.  Phil Kessel couldn't take over a kindergarten class even if he had a platoon of marines backing him up.

But he doesn't have a platoon of marines backing him up; he has a Boy Scout in training centre-man and the Invisible boy on his wing. And yet he still stands to score near 40 goals and 70-75 points despite those limitations.

 

[lamajama]

Hope_Smoke: Peter Holland played 4:30 tonight.

Honestly, I think the thing about Carlyle that bugs me the most is his bench management. It's absurd.

I couldn't stand Wilson Carlyle's not far behind. Question is will he ever change his ways. Like I said his favouritism is killing us.

Well if it ain't broke why fix it.....