Pre-season: sens @ Leafs - Sept. 17th, 5:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[herman]

Judging by posting behavior, Herman is more into this game than I am.

Isn?t that every game?

 

[Highlander]

TSN feed w/ Gord Miller and Ray Ferraro.
http://60fps.live/toronto-maple-leafs-vs-ottawa-senators/

Hey Disco,  thanks for the link, only saw the last 10 minutes as had to go out, but from what I saw the Goat was the best Loaf out of the pan.  Comments on the game would be very welcome.

 

[Highlander]

Judging by posting behavior, Herman is more into this game than I am.

Isn?t that every game?

the Herminator has earned his name!  He will be back.

 

[princedpw]

Judging by posting behavior, Herman is more into this game than I am.

Isn?t that every game?

Perhaps. The differential seems particularly large today.

 

[herman]

Judging by posting behavior, Herman is more into this game than I am.

Isn?t that every game?

Perhaps. The differential seems particularly large today.

It?s just the first game of the preseason but I just tried to give a consistent effort out there, you know, and hopefully the coach noticed. We?ll regroup and try to get started on time and get the win tomorrow.

 

[barney_rebel]

We stink BTW

 

[herman]

https://twitter.com/jonassiegel/status/1174121002743279616
Also Babcock
https://twitter.com/jccuthbert/status/1174124405645041664

 

[herman]

Babcock on Spezza earlier:
https://twitter.com/markhmasters/status/1174047766378688515

 

[BrownRolo]

So Goat just took Spezza's spot?

I didn't watch the game. How did Spezza look?

 

[herman]

So Goat just took Spezza's spot?

I didn't watch the game. How did Spezza look?

They played different lines. Spezza was tried out in all three phases of the game. Looked great in the offensive zone, especially that shift he helped extend into a drawn penalty, but had two miscommunications leading to goals in the defensive zone.

Goat looked... activated. He was on the puck, supporting the play, getting open, had like 4 scoring chances alone but since he?s the Goat and not Matthews, they didn?t go in. Whatever line he played on as the lines jumbled, pushed the puck into the OZ and got looks at the net. He played some PK and got in a block.

Gauthier was playing with all the Marlies. He knows them and they know him. Spezza is new to the team and everyone is just frickin? fast. He had some jump at times and wasn?t Jason Allison out there, but there were synchronization issues.

 

[herman]

I don?t know if we hear ?tie goes to the veteran? this year. Not much love for Agostino and Shore. Instead we are hearing about Goat and Korshkov. Methinks tie goes to the taller this year.

 

[cujo4ever]

I noticed Schmaltz looking fastish. Made a few good passes too.

 

[Guilt Trip]

I thought Bracco made a few nice passes. Leafs def have options moving forward.

 

[hockeyfan1]

Highlights from this game:

[tweet]1174146486520733698[/tweet]

 

[OldTimeHockey]

So Goat just took Spezza's spot?

I didn't watch the game. How did Spezza look?

They played different lines. Spezza was tried out in all three phases of the game. Looked great in the offensive zone, especially that shift he helped extend into a drawn penalty, but had two miscommunications leading to goals in the defensive zone.

Pretty tough to say that second goal was a miscommunication from Spezza.

 

[Mr. Leaf]

I was pleasantly surprised by Barrie after hearing all summer long how horrible he is defensively. 

 

[Bullfrog]

Gauthier looks pretty good. Aggressive.

Trying hard to earn back his job.

 

[Frank E]

So Goat just took Spezza's spot?

I didn't watch the game. How did Spezza look?

They played different lines. Spezza was tried out in all three phases of the game. Looked great in the offensive zone, especially that shift he helped extend into a drawn penalty, but had two miscommunications leading to goals in the defensive zone.

Pretty tough to say that second goal was a miscommunication from Spezza.

Yeah, that was pretty definitely on Marner. 

I thought the Tavares line looked just fine with Kapanen on his off-wing.

Most of the rest of them were AHL players playing against AHL players, so whatever...

I actually thought Spezza was fine, and I think Gauthier got lucky with some breaks, unlucky with the shots.  We've seen this before from Gauthier, against AHL competition he's fine...and if they keep him over Spezza I'll never forgive them. 

Schmaltz reminds me of Hunwick.

 

[herman]

So Goat just took Spezza's spot?

I didn't watch the game. How did Spezza look?

They played different lines. Spezza was tried out in all three phases of the game. Looked great in the offensive zone, especially that shift he helped extend into a drawn penalty, but had two miscommunications leading to goals in the defensive zone.

Pretty tough to say that second goal was a miscommunication from Spezza.

I didn?t phrase that very clearly; it wasn?t my intent to blame Spezza on goal 2. Marner definitely didn?t give Spezza any chance there and Kaskisuo released focus on a routine play in a dangerous part of the ice. Again, it?s playing with new players and adjusting to their tendencies and getting game timing going.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x7JT2ozornI
Babcock?s actual answer, while not effusive, is also not nearly as damning as words on a tweet without context. Essentially, Babcock feels he needs a safe defensive game from the 4th line, and Spezza was/is an offensively creative player by nature.

 

[Zee]

Goat definitely looked like a guy that knows his place on the team isn't secure.  He was working hard out there, which is what you want.  Keep these bottom guys on edge, nobody should feel secure in their position and maybe you get better performances out of them.