Leafs @ Sabres - Nov. 15th, 7:00pm - SN, SN 590

[Frank E]

I hope to see this:

Raymond-JVR-Kessel
Lupul-Smith-Clarkson
Ashton-McClement-Kulemin
McLaren-Smithson-Orr 

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Gardiner-Franson
Fraser-Ranger


Reimer

Smith can be creative and score lets see what he can do with those two and I love the way McClement is playing defensively but 1 assist on the season. Lets go already.  Smithson McClement and Kulemin have been great on the pk.  The top line has the speed to succeed.

That lineup doesn't fill my heart with hope.

 

[Leafaholic99]

Didn't Orr fight him last year and actually won the fight? Couldnt reach his head so he gave him some body shots? lol

Does anyone ever really win a fight like that? I mean, it's not like they get extra ice time out of it or anything. Whatever "decision" is made in a fight is really meaningless.

Well if the player from your team wins, it can boost the energy of your bench, if your players gets beaten badly, it could have a negative effect on your bench.

 

[bustaheims]

Well if the player from your team wins, it can boost the energy of your bench, if your players gets beaten badly, it could have a negative effect on your bench.

Except in the hundreds and hundreds of times we've seen fights that did neither, of course.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

I would have called up both Smith and McKegg:

JVR-Smith-Kessel
Lupul-McKegg-Kulemin
Raymond-McClement-Clarkson

It's not ideal, but whats the worst that can happen? At least our wings are as solid as any other team in the league and JVR goes back to where he can actually be effective.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Well if the player from your team wins, it can boost the energy of your bench, if your players gets beaten badly, it could have a negative effect on your bench.

Except in the hundreds and hundreds of times we've seen fights that did neither, of course.

God damnit EA Sports...

 

[louisstamos]

I would have called up both Smith and McKegg:

JVR-Smith-Kessel
Lupul-McKegg-Kulemin
Raymond-McClement-Clarkson

It's not ideal, but whats the worst that can happen? At least our wings are as solid as any other team in the league and JVR goes back to where he can actually be effective.

Apparently McKegg has been called up as well?

edit: and Liles has been sent back down

 

[AlmosGirl]

Well, I really don't expect a win tonight and I will miss the game as daughter has a game in Caledon at 9pm. Maybe a blessing in disguise. :-X

 

[LittleHockeyFan]

Well, I really don't expect a win tonight and I will miss the game as daughter has a game in Caledon at 9pm. Maybe a blessing in disguise. :-X

Yeah, I may end up missing it too. Gotta go to Hamilton and pick up the daughter and grandpuppy?..Could be late before we get back.

 

[moon111]

This will be the first game I've ever seen with no NHL centers on either side.

 

[Jalili]

This will be a game that really tests their resourcefulness and ability to step up.

Kessel, van Riemsdyk and Lupul HAVE to step up this week or the team will find itself 11-10.

 

[Beowulf]

I don't get why Rielly is sitting tonight, especially against a team like Buffalo that isn't exactly taking the league by storm these days.

 

[ZBBM]

Boy.  The pessimism is overwhelming.

Look, I get that this isn't a gimme -- no game is.  But even w/o our top 3 centers we have 3 forwards who are head and shoulders above anyone on BUF.  Those guys, and Clarkson for Chrissakes, need to step up and take control of the game tonight.

If we are a legit team, as Julien called us the other night, we'll win these 2 games against the worst team in the league.  If we don't sweep them, then you have to seriously entertain the thought that our record thus far really is 70% smoke and mirrors.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Boy.  The pessimism is overwhelming.

Look, I get that this isn't a gimme -- no game is.  But even w/o our top 3 centers we have 3 forwards who are head and shoulders above anyone on BUF. 

Kessel is the only Leaf with more points than Hodgson and Moulson.  We do not have 3 forwards "head and shoulders" above anyone on their roster.  Kessel is the one who is better than them.

 

[freer]

Boy.  The pessimism is overwhelming.

Look, I get that this isn't a gimme -- no game is.  But even w/o our top 3 centers we have 3 forwards who are head and shoulders above anyone on BUF. 

Kessel is the only Leaf with more points than Hodgson and Moulson.  We do not have 3 forwards "head and shoulders" above anyone on their roster.  Kessel is the one who is better than them.

All negative. BUF sucks, the only reason we have had problems with them over the years is Miller.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Boy.  The pessimism is overwhelming.

Look, I get that this isn't a gimme -- no game is.  But even w/o our top 3 centers we have 3 forwards who are head and shoulders above anyone on BUF. 

Kessel is the only Leaf with more points than Hodgson and Moulson.  We do not have 3 forwards "head and shoulders" above anyone on their roster.  Kessel is the one who is better than them.

All negative. BUF sucks, the only reason we have had problems with them over the years is Miller.

Point out what is incorrect about what I said or else don't accuse me of being negative.  It's all on NHL.com for you to check out yourself.

 

[Bullfrog]

Why can't you learn to be non-objective like the rest of us?!

 

[ZBBM]

Boy.  The pessimism is overwhelming.

Look, I get that this isn't a gimme -- no game is.  But even w/o our top 3 centers we have 3 forwards who are head and shoulders above anyone on BUF. 

Kessel is the only Leaf with more points than Hodgson and Moulson.  We do not have 3 forwards "head and shoulders" above anyone on their roster.  Kessel is the one who is better than them.

Please.  W/o bothering to go look up their career stats, I am confident in saying that Lupes & JVR are way ahead of them.  But feel free to give me the stats.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Please.  W/o bothering to go look up their career stats, I am confident in saying that Lupes & JVR are way ahead of them.  But feel free to give me the stats.

Career PPG ratios:

Moulson 0.70
Lupul 0.64
Hodgson 0.57
JVR 0.55

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Please.  W/o bothering to go look up their career stats, I am confident in saying that Lupes & JVR are way ahead of them.  But feel free to give me the stats.

Career PPG ratios:

Moulson 0.70
Lupul 0.64
Hodgson 0.57
JVR 0.55

I think for Chris' sake he should give the Sabres a LITTLE respect considering how the Leafs have been playing.

I think we should win still, but I'm in no way confident of that.  The team hasn't been playing well and should, in theory, be even worse with the injuries/suspensions.

 

[ZBBM]

Please.  W/o bothering to go look up their career stats, I am confident in saying that Lupes & JVR are way ahead of them.  But feel free to give me the stats.

Career PPG ratios:

Moulson 0.70
Lupul 0.64
Hodgson 0.57
JVR 0.55

PPG the only relevant measure?

Look, if you and/or Potvin or anybody wants to make the case that you'd rather have Moulson & Hodgson on the Leafs rather than Lupul or JVR, make it.  I sure couldn't.