Leafs @ Blackhawks - Oct. 19th, 7:00pm - CBC, SN 590

[GhostofPotvin29]

The Leafs have been outshot 19-6 (so far). I don't know that I would be pointing at goaltending as the problem.

I'm not saying goaltending has been the problem tonight. It's more that all those people who were anointing Bernier as the starter last week were getting a little ahead of themselves.

What I'm seeing (not necessarily from you) are people so in love with Reimer that they are jumping at every chance to discredit Bernier.

But you're seeing the reverse too.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Our puck possession issues are pretty glaring in games like this.  I mean, we have offensive defensemen and enough skill guys that we should be able to control the play from to time. But barring the odd Lupul/Kadri shift, it's a mad scramble out there with little physicality.  You have to think it's a coaching issue at this point.

Wilson was way better but had awful goaltending.

EDIT: And worse teams.

 

[lamajama]

Now we"ll see how Bernier can battle through these bad goals

 

[Mot the Barber]

Not going to blame Bernier on that one, but this is why you don't anoint a guy on the basis of 3 games.

He should be the starter.  He has more experience, gets paid more, is higher rated and it cost the Leafs draft picks to get him.

This whole farce about letting them earn it is a waste of time and energy and ultimately points.

 

[bustaheims]

What I'm seeing (not necessarily from you) are people so in love with Reimer that they are jumping at every chance to discredit Bernier.

That's funny, because I've seen a lot more the other way around - people were totally won over by Bernier's first few games that they've jumped on Reimer for everything. Heck, more than one person has criticized Reimer for getting hit in the head by Leivo in the last game.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

What I'm seeing (not necessarily from you) are people so in love with Reimer that they are jumping at every chance to discredit Bernier.

That's funny, because I've seen a lot more the other way around - people were totally won over by Bernier's first few games that they've jumped on Reimer for everything. Heck, more than one person has criticized Reimer for getting hit in the head by Leivo in the last game.

The snark from certain media members on Twitter over Reimer's rebounds and their love-in for Bernier was nauseating.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Since no one would ever try Grabovski, can we please try Kadri with Kessel and JVR?  Just for this 3rd?  Please sir?

 

[Kin]

(Interior, Command Center)

General: Mr.President, it's no use. The Aliens seem impervious to everything we're throwing at them. Nukes, Cruise Missles. We've tried anything.

The President: I never thought, I'd have to do this. General, radio their Leader with our surren-

(Man in glasses enters, clutching laptop)

Nerdington: I've cracked it, General, the Alien code!

General: You again! I thought I told you I didn't have time for your crazy theory-

Nerdington: But I cracked it! The Alien weakness! It turns out that they're spectacularly vulnerable to low wristshots from 50 feet away!

President: Get me Phil Kessel.

(Exterior, cabin in the woods, an odd looking blonde man chopping wood as two black SUV's roll up)

General: Mr. Kessel, I have to ask that you stop what you're doing and come with us immediately.

Phil: I'm not going back. I told you I was done with firing low wristshots from 50 feet away. Find someone else.

General: There is no one else, Phil. You're the only shot we've got.

 

[bustaheims]

He should be the starter.  He has more experience,

False.

gets paid more,

Irrelevant. The goalie that's giving the team the best chance to win plays more, regardless of how much they're paid.

is higher rated

Subjective and pretty meaningless when it comes to the actual games on the ice. Eric Fichaud was once a highly rated young goalie, so was Trevor Kidd.

and it cost the Leafs draft picks to get him.

Also irrelevant when it comes to the game on the ice. If he's not the goalie that gives the team the best chance to win, it doesn't matter what the team gave up to acquire him.

 

[azzurri63]

Evening everyone. Been listening to parts of the game but looks like I haven't missed much. Bernier let in a couple softies? Judging by the announcers and the shots don't think he is the reason why were down 3-1. 9 shots after 2 periods with 3 power plays yikes. Looks like Kessel still in hibernation mode as well. Team needs to get out of this offensive rut. Hopefully it starts in the 3rd period.

 

[L K]

Not going to blame Bernier on that one, but this is why you don't anoint a guy on the basis of 3 games.

He should be the starter.  He has more experience, gets paid more, is higher rated and it cost the Leafs draft picks to get him.

This whole farce about letting them earn it is a waste of time and energy and ultimately points.

Bernier - 68GP, 1 relief playoff game appearance
Reimer - 108GP, 7 playoff games

Ah so it must be wins/winning percentage then.

Bernier - 33 wins in 68GP .485 winning percentage
Reimer - 55 wins in 108GP .509 winning percentage

Ah, so it must actually be career SV%

Bernier - .915
Reimer - .915

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

is higher rated

Subjective and pretty meaningless when it comes to the actual games on the ice. Eric Fichaud was once a highly rated young goalie, so was Trevor Kidd.

To be absolutely, positively fair - Bernier IS the default starter in NHL 14.

 

[gunnar36]

I know it's a big difference in sample size right now but Bozak at 48.5% and Kadri at 48.2%

That's with Bozak taking just about every high priority face-off though.

That definitely makes a difference. I remember the Colorado game I pointed out Kadri was 53% while Bozak was only 39%. But then someone added that Kadri took 10 of his 15 faceoffs against MacKinnon and won 8 of them.

Still, I do wonder if Bozak's faceoff work this season is something we should be worried about. Tonight he's taken more faceoffs than the rest of the team combined and is only 39%.

Bozak being below average on faceoffs is only fitting since he seems to be below average in every other facet of the game for a 1st line center.

 

[Kin]

Not going to blame Bernier on that one, but this is why you don't anoint a guy on the basis of 3 games.

He should be the starter.  He has more experience, gets paid more, is higher rated and it cost the Leafs draft picks to get him.

This whole farce about letting them earn it is a waste of time and energy and ultimately points.

Bernier - 68GP, 1 relief playoff game appearance
Reimer - 108GP, 7 playoff games

To be fair, Bernier sat on the bench for some pretty important games.

 

[bustaheims]

is higher rated

Subjective and pretty meaningless when it comes to the actual games on the ice. Eric Fichaud was once a highly rated young goalie, so was Trevor Kidd.

To be absolutely, positively fair - Bernier IS the default starter in NHL 14.

Well, now, I'm convinced!

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Our puck possession issues are pretty glaring in games like this.  I mean, we have offensive defensemen and enough skill guys that we should be able to control the play from to time. But barring the odd Lupul/Kadri shift, it's a mad scramble out there with little physicality.  You have to think it's a coaching issue at this point.

Wilson was way better but had awful goaltending.

EDIT: And worse teams.

*high five*

 

[bakeapples]

4 more year @ $4.2M/y  *^%*%(* Bozak start moving those feet! Stop being a lazy Wellwood!

 

[riff raff]

What I'm seeing (not necessarily from you) are people so in love with Reimer that they are jumping at every chance to discredit Bernier.

That's funny, because I've seen a lot more the other way around - people were totally won over by Bernier's first few games that they've jumped on Reimer for everything. Heck, more than one person has criticized Reimer for getting hit in the head by Leivo in the last game.

The snark from certain media members on Twitter over Reimer's rebounds and their love-in for Bernier was nauseating.

"Nauseating" is an interesting choice of word. You find support for a Leaf player 'nauseating'?

 

[Strangelove]

Since no one would ever try Grabovski, can we please try Kadri with Kessel and JVR?  Just for this 3rd?  Please sir?

Carlyle will die before he even thinks about playing Kadri with Kessel.

Edit: and don't even think about suggesting that Bozak should play less than 23 minutes a game.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Our puck possession issues are pretty glaring in games like this.  I mean, we have offensive defensemen and enough skill guys that we should be able to control the play from to time. But barring the odd Lupul/Kadri shift, it's a mad scramble out there with little physicality.  You have to think it's a coaching issue at this point.

Wilson was way better but had awful goaltending.

EDIT: And worse teams.

*high five*

Let the hate roll on.  But I honestly believe it - and I honestly believe over 82 games it will play out that the team struggles to score like it did.  But, at the same time I wouldn't be surprised if Clarkson/Kulemin returning help out quite a bit and the team excels in certain areas (goaltending, special teams) enough to stay in it.

I don't think we ever got consistently out-attempted like this though.  This team should be better than to get outplayed like this.