R1G1: Leafs @ Bruins - May 1st, 7:00pm - CBC, TSN 1050

[ZBBM]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

They are far from invincible.

But if Bozak can't play, we have a problem.  I'd slot Grabs there myself and let Colborne skate with the second line if you want Kadri to stay where he is.

EDIT via TSN: TORONTO -- Maple Leafs general manager told the media on Monday that he expects Tyler Bozak to be ready for Toronto's playoff opener on Wednesday in Boston.

Bozak skated with the team but left Maple Leafs practice early today. He has missed the last two games with an upper body injury.

He came out early to skate and take some practice shots, but he left 10 minutes into the full practice.

Kadri, BTW, has some work to do this summer.  Starting with 1,000 faceoffs per day.

I know Kadri will never be mistaken for a hulking forward, but it would be nice if he could add some weight and strength to his body.  He likes to play physical and the added strength will only benefit him on the ice.

It's a fine line for some players, getting overmuscular that is.  But if he wants to play the same style as Crosby -- and some nights he looked as though he did -- he'll need to add some muscle, for sure.

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Kadri, BTW, has some work to do this summer.  Starting with 1,000 faceoffs per day.

I know Kadri will never be mistaken for a hulking forward, but it would be nice if he could add some weight and strength to his body.  He likes to play physical and the added strength will only benefit him on the ice.

It's a fine line for some players, getting overmuscular that is.  But if he wants to play the same style as Crosby -- and some nights he looked as though he did -- he'll need to add some muscle, for sure.

He can muscle up some for sure, but I'm just glad he doesn't end up on his ass like he did multiple times every game in his early career.

 

[cw]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

 

[cw]

Kadri, BTW, has some work to do this summer.  Starting with 1,000 faceoffs per day.

I know Kadri will never be mistaken for a hulking forward, but it would be nice if he could add some weight and strength to his body.  He likes to play physical and the added strength will only benefit him on the ice.

It's a fine line for some players, getting overmuscular that is.  But if he wants to play the same style as Crosby -- and some nights he looked as though he did -- he'll need to add some muscle, for sure.

He can muscle up some for sure, but I'm just glad he doesn't end up on his ass like he did multiple times every game in his early career.

He did try to muscle up a season or two ago. And it seemed to hurt his speed and play.

For faceoffs, I'd encourage a Bozak/Wellwood approach to him using his good hands to finesse wins more than hoping he'll ever out-muscle guys. Naturally, whatever muscle he can add and use without it detracting from his speed and overall play would be welcome.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'll never understand why the reporters get in a huff about not getting a cliche-filled dressing room interview.

 

[Derk]

Go Leafs Go, and all that.

It should be a good series. I hope the Leafs show a lot more energy than they have of late, because they can be pretty exciting to watch when they do.

 

[Kessel Run]

Kadri, BTW, has some work to do this summer.  Starting with 1,000 faceoffs per day.

I know Kadri will never be mistaken for a hulking forward, but it would be nice if he could add some weight and strength to his body.  He likes to play physical and the added strength will only benefit him on the ice.

It's a fine line for some players, getting overmuscular that is.  But if he wants to play the same style as Crosby -- and some nights he looked as though he did -- he'll need to add some muscle, for sure.

He can muscle up some for sure, but I'm just glad he doesn't end up on his ass like he did multiple times every game in his early career.

He did try to muscle up a season or two ago. And it seemed to hurt his speed and play.

I remember that as well. He wasn't able to make as many moves at high speed due to the extra bulk

 

[Fanatic]

Screw it, bring on the Pooh-Bears.  It's time to go Gerussi on the Brunos.

Kessel, let's face it, you're playing for your next contract here.  Dominate the Bruins, and you're going to be paid like a superstar.  Go invisible, well, yeah, you're still going to be paid like a superstar anyway, but with a whole lot more questions...  Show the world the awesomeness of Phil!  You hate that smug little Seguin?  Yeah, me too.  Shut his clown face up.  Do it!

Lupul, just show us everything you've shown us this year.  Except for the injuries;  don't show those, please.

Kadri...  Hat-tricks aren't just for the regular season.  Let Rask be looking out for Phil and then BOOM! three goals on one shot.  Or 3 shots, whatever.  I want the NASDAQ to be renamed the NAZKAD in your honour when the dust settles from this series.

Reimer, I swear, you're such a nice guy, you make Mr. Rogers look like a complete ***hole.  But I'm going to need you to bear down and become a bigger dick than Mr. Rogers in this series and stuff every shot RIGHT BACK IN THEIR FACES!  Not as an actual rebound, though, just metaphorically.  For too long, it's been "boo-hoo, we kept Pogge instead of Rask, boo-hoo!"  I need to you to 100% Poggify Rask.  I want to be able to say "Pogge, Rask, Raycroft, whatever man, we got REIMER!  YEAH!!"  The.  Real.  Deal.

Screw this "Oh, no, it's the Bruins!  Nooooo!!"  Screw that, and screw them.  BEAT THEM!!

Kessel has 18 points in his past 12 games. But he has zero points in 4 games against Boston this year and in 22 career games vs. Boston Kessel has not scored a single even strength goal. Argh! With that said, my expectations are as low as they can be since I expect the Leafs to go in 4 straight and be badly outplayed. Hey, at least I can't be disappointed.

But that doesn't mean I won't be hoping that the Leafs can finally shake the Boston monkey off their backs. I would love to see Kessel continue his pace and lead the team to victory.........

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

well one good thing about this series..if there were any leaf fans that didn't hate boston before....there won't be any left now ...and if they somehow pull out the series win...i'd say most of the boston fans would start feeling the same way

 

[caver]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I hope they don't wake up until their first tee-off.

 

[crazyperfectdevil]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I hope they don't wake up until their first tee-off.

i hope they sleep in and miss their tee off

 

[TheMightyOdin]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I hope they don't wake up until their first tee-off.

i hope they sleep in and miss their tee off

I hope their golf cart hits a rut and flips over ejecting the players through the air and they land head first right into a gopher hole so that their head gets stuck in there. Fortunately for us the gopher who live there is rabid and starts gnawing on their faces. As they scream and kick and flail their golf cleat comes into contact with a giant African killer bee hive which proceeds to launch an all out swarm of pissed off bees that just start relentlessly stinging their junk...

Too much?

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Screw it, bring on the Pooh-Bears.  It's time to go Gerussi on the Brunos.

Kessel, let's face it, you're playing for your next contract here.  Dominate the Bruins, and you're going to be paid like a superstar.  Go invisible, well, yeah, you're still going to be paid like a superstar anyway, but with a whole lot more questions...  Show the world the awesomeness of Phil!  You hate that smug little Seguin?  Yeah, me too.  Shut his clown face up.  Do it!

Lupul, just show us everything you've shown us this year.  Except for the injuries;  don't show those, please.

Kadri...  Hat-tricks aren't just for the regular season.  Let Rask be looking out for Phil and then BOOM! three goals on one shot.  Or 3 shots, whatever.  I want the NASDAQ to be renamed the NAZKAD in your honour when the dust settles from this series.

Reimer, I swear, you're such a nice guy, you make Mr. Rogers look like a complete ***hole.  But I'm going to need you to bear down and become a bigger dick than Mr. Rogers in this series and stuff every shot RIGHT BACK IN THEIR FACES!  Not as an actual rebound, though, just metaphorically.  For too long, it's been "boo-hoo, we kept Pogge instead of Rask, boo-hoo!"  I need to you to 100% Poggify Rask.  I want to be able to say "Pogge, Rask, Raycroft, whatever man, we got REIMER!  YEAH!!"  The.  Real.  Deal.

Screw this "Oh, no, it's the Bruins!  Nooooo!!"  Screw that, and screw them.  BEAT THEM!!

Kessel has 18 points in his past 12 games. But he has zero points in 4 games against Boston this year and in 22 career games vs. Boston Kessel has not scored a single even strength goal. Argh! With that said, my expectations are as low as they can be since I expect the Leafs to go in 4 straight and be badly outplayed. Hey, at least I can't be disappointed.

But that doesn't mean I won't be hoping that the Leafs can finally shake the Boston monkey off their backs. I would love to see Kessel continue his pace and lead the team to victory.........

Thanks for bringing some much unwanted balance and perspective.

Just kidding, man.  If that's as enthusiastic as you get, we'll take it, dammit!

 

[Heroic Shrimp]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I'm going the Full Nutty on this one.  First playoffs in 9 years, hockey brain is going on vacation, hockey heart is taking over.  I'm like a teenager with a case of beer, a bottle of vodka, and an empty house for the weekend.  When all is said and done, there may be a lot of vomit and potato chip crumbs to clean up, there may be a few holes in the walls, I may feel like crap when it's all over, but dammit I'm going to party like it's 1993.

Heroic Shrimp does not condone excessive drinking or underage drinking.  Heroic Shrimp recommends enjoying hockey with a nice soft drink or glass of milk.  Any implication that this playoff run will be comparable to the epic 1993 playoff run is purely hopeful and not intended to convey any sense of reality.

 

[Kaberle15]

Screw it, bring on the Pooh-Bears.  It's time to go Gerussi on the Brunos.

Kessel, let's face it, you're playing for your next contract here.  Dominate the Bruins, and you're going to be paid like a superstar.  Go invisible, well, yeah, you're still going to be paid like a superstar anyway, but with a whole lot more questions...  Show the world the awesomeness of Phil!  You hate that smug little Seguin?  Yeah, me too.  Shut his clown face up.  Do it!

Lupul, just show us everything you've shown us this year.  Except for the injuries;  don't show those, please.

Kadri...  Hat-tricks aren't just for the regular season.  Let Rask be looking out for Phil and then BOOM! three goals on one shot.  Or 3 shots, whatever.  I want the NASDAQ to be renamed the NAZKAD in your honour when the dust settles from this series.

Reimer, I swear, you're such a nice guy, you make Mr. Rogers look like a complete ***hole.  But I'm going to need you to bear down and become a bigger dick than Mr. Rogers in this series and stuff every shot RIGHT BACK IN THEIR FACES!  Not as an actual rebound, though, just metaphorically.  For too long, it's been "boo-hoo, we kept Pogge instead of Rask, boo-hoo!"  I need to you to 100% Poggify Rask.  I want to be able to say "Pogge, Rask, Raycroft, whatever man, we got REIMER!  YEAH!!"  The.  Real.  Deal.

Screw this "Oh, no, it's the Bruins!  Nooooo!!"  Screw that, and screw them.  BEAT THEM!!

Kessel has 18 points in his past 12 games. But he has zero points in 4 games against Boston this year and in 22 career games vs. Boston Kessel has not scored a single even strength goal. Argh! With that said, my expectations are as low as they can be since I expect the Leafs to go in 4 straight and be badly outplayed. Hey, at least I can't be disappointed.

But that doesn't mean I won't be hoping that the Leafs can finally shake the Boston monkey off their backs. I would love to see Kessel continue his pace and lead the team to victory.........

Thanks for bringing some much unwanted balance and perspective.

Just kidding, man.  If that's as enthusiastic as you get, we'll take it, dammit!

That is why I'm calling this series: the Redemption Series

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I'm going the Full Nutty on this one.  First playoffs in 9 years, hockey brain is going on vacation, hockey heart is taking over.  I'm like a teenager with a case of beer, a bottle of vodka, and an empty house for the weekend.  When all is said and done, there may be a lot of vomit and potato chip crumbs to clean up, there may be a few holes in the walls, I may feel like crap when it's all over, but dammit I'm going to party like it's 1993.

Heroic Shrimp does not condone excessive drinking or underage drinking.  Heroic Shrimp recommends enjoying hockey with a nice soft drink or glass of milk.  Any implication that this playoff run will be comparable to the epic 1993 playoff run is purely hopeful and not intended to convey any sense of reality.

I'm not really sure how I used to deal with the nerves.  Judging by the nerves I've had in close/OT games this season that weren't even the playoffs, I will likely be a nervous wreck for every second.

 

[bustaheims]

I'm not really sure how I used to deal with the nerves.  Judging by the nerves I've had in close/OT games this season that weren't even the playoffs, I will likely be a nervous wreck for every second.

I'm with you. I'm not sure how to prepare for the playoffs anymore.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Lines from practice today, these obviously aren't set in stone:

van Riemsdyk-Kadri-Kessel
Lupul-Grabovski-Kulemin
MacArthur-Komarov-Frattin
McLaren-McClement-Orr
Extra: Bozak, Colborne, Hamilton

Gunnarsson-Phaneuf
Fraser-Franson
Liles-Kostka
Gardiner-O?Byrne

 

[Bender]

Fun fact:  The Bruins went 14-12-2 after starting the season 14-2-2.

Miserable fear: Bruins will wake up offensively with the return of Horton and better PP with a rested Jagr and muscle the Leafs into a fairly quick exit. I don't expect four blowout games as the Leafs are better than that and have been competitive with them this season. I just think the Bruins are overdue to wake up and I suspect they've just been going through the motions until the playoffs.

I hope I'm wrong but I can't get seem to conjure up a good feeling about this series.

I'm going the Full Nutty on this one.  First playoffs in 9 years, hockey brain is going on vacation, hockey heart is taking over.  I'm like a teenager with a case of beer, a bottle of vodka, and an empty house for the weekend.  When all is said and done, there may be a lot of vomit and potato chip crumbs to clean up, there may be a few holes in the walls, I may feel like crap when it's all over, but dammit I'm going to party like it's 1993.

Heroic Shrimp does not condone excessive drinking or underage drinking.  Heroic Shrimp recommends enjoying hockey with a nice soft drink or glass of milk.  Any implication that this playoff run will be comparable to the epic 1993 playoff run is purely hopeful and not intended to convey any sense of reality.

I GUARANTEE the Leafs will not only beat the Bruins this year, but also win the Stanley Cup!

Not a guarantee

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

I'm not really sure how I used to deal with the nerves.  Judging by the nerves I've had in close/OT games this season that weren't even the playoffs, I will likely be a nervous wreck for every second.

I'm with you. I'm not sure how to prepare for the playoffs anymore.

Just gotta take it one game at a time, not look too far ahead.  Give 110% and leave it all out on the couch.