Leafs @ Habs - Oct 24th, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[CarltonTheBear]

That's true I guess, I'd argue though that they could put out a first PP unit that's as good as at least 20 teams.

I actually don't know about that. I will say they might be clinching onto this 4-forward PP idea a little too much. We just don't have the forwards capable of it like some other teams. Having someone like Arcobello, Parenteau, or even Kadri hasn't been effective.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

That's true I guess, I'd argue though that they could put out a first PP unit that's as good as at least 20 teams.

I actually don't know about that. I will say they might be clinching onto this 4-forward PP idea a little too much. We just don't have the forwards capable of it like some other teams. Having someone like Arcobello, Parenteau, or even Kadri hasn't been effective.

Yeah, I'd like to see:

Gardiner - Rielly
JVR - Kadri - Lupul

Hunwick - Phaneuf
Mathias - Bozak - Boyes

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Again sample size, but there is this:

[tweet]658100293624840193[/tweet]

If the special teams ever do get going they are going to win a lot more than most expected them to.

Babcock might be a magician.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Babcock might be a magician.

And Detroit's 29th in Score Adjusted CF% right now.

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Babcock might be a magician.

And Detroit's 29th in Score Adjusted CF% right now.

A lot of talk in Detroit was that the ride them hard approach of Babs was worn out and it was time for a change. They hired a guy who by all accounts is largely a Babcock clone, I wonder if the players are already tuning out a little.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

A couple of stats that jumped out while looking over the boxscore:

Rielly led the team in ice-time with 25:00. Just over 2 minutes more than Phaneuf who played the 2nd most.

Kadri had the highest FO% on the team, going 65%. Was 74% in the offensive zone.

 

[ZBBM]

Again sample size, but there is this:

[tweet]658100293624840193[/tweet]

If the special teams ever do get going they are going to win a lot more than most expected them to.

Babcock might be a magician.

Not unless he pulls a goalie out of his hat.

 

[bustaheims]

If the special teams ever do get going they are going to win a lot more than most expected them to.

Babcock might be a magician.

It's going to take a pretty significant increase in offensive ability for the Leafs to really be able to capitalize on the way they're playing. It's nice to see - this team is a lot less frustrating to watch than it was under Carlyle. They're playing very good hockey, they just don't have the talent level to turn that level of play into any sort of consistent winning.

 

[Kin]

That's true I guess, I'd argue though that they could put out a first PP unit that's as good as at least 20 teams.

I think the problem with that is that a lot of the strength of PP's has to do with having specific weapons that other teams are focused on. Whether it's Stamkos setting up in the slot or, as we saw tonight, having someone like Subban on the line having that one elite weapon is something that creates space for everyone else and gives the team the option of creating alternate strategies while still having that one go-to approach in their back pocket.

Legitimately, from that perspective, the Leafs very well might rank dead last in the league in terms of their #1 offensive weapon vs. anyone else. Every time I watch the Leafs on the PP my immediate thought is that the short-handed team isn't afraid of anyone or anything someone on the Leafs can do with the puck on their stick.

 

[Joe S.]

You know watching what I have of this season I still don't understand why Kessel had to go.

 

[Kin]

You know watching what I have of this season I still don't understand why Kessel had to go.

Do you mean that you don't think Kessel would help the team as currently constructed and therefore his presence wouldn't have an impact on the rebuild/draft position?

 

[wnc096]

You know watching what I have of this season I still don't understand why Kessel had to go.

Do you mean that you don't think Kessel would help the team as currently constructed and therefore his presence wouldn't have an impact on the rebuild/draft position?

you could argue the leafs would be a worse team with Kessel on it.  they were worst team I have EVER seen in the last 30 games last year