Rangers @ Leafs - Feb. 23rd, 7:30 - SNO, TSN 1050

[slapshot]

I think Leafs 4th line is much more effective with Gauthier in the middle over Smith. They had their hottest run of the season when Gauthier was centering that line, then he tailed off a bit and they sent him down when Smith came back. I think he's better than Smith already defensively and stronger on the puck down low. He FO percentage is pretty well even, and he'll only get better with experience. I'd like him to be part of the rookie wave for the rest of the season. I think having been sent down once after slowing down probably taught him he's got to keep his foot on the gas if he wants to stay up.

Totally agree. Been a while since he was drafted and personally wasn't sure of the pick. Maybe because he's more of a defensive forward and really didn't show much offensively but I like the pick and his skating was the only concern which looks like he worked on. I hope he sticks around to.

When he's on the puck, he has a real advantage because of his size, tough to move him. And, he's seemed to learn that now, good for the cycle with that 4th line, which is what you want, a 4th line that can wear the opposition d-men down when they are out there.

Go Goatman!

 

[herman]

Kadri's line getting overrun a bit by Zibanejad's.

Zibanejad always seems to dominate against us.

Or actually maybe I'm thinking of Zuccarello. One of the Z's.

In this case, it's both of them killing the Kadri line.

 

[ZBBM]

Kadri's line getting overrun a bit by Zibanejad's.

Zibanejad always seems to dominate against us.

Or actually maybe I'm thinking of Zuccarello. One of the Z's.

Zarley. Zalapsky.

 

[slapshot]

Just need a bounce back this period from the Ks

 

[herman]

How can Andersen look both calm and feisty at the same time?

 

[CarltonTheBear]

How can Andersen look both calm and feisty at the same time?

Gingers man.

 

[herman]

JvR with the 360 no-scope striking iron.

 

[herman]

Hmm no call on the trip on Andersen, eh?

 

[ZBBM]

That was divey there, Dane-man.

 

[herman]

Hmm, Polak's stickhandling has improved too.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Remember when Matthews and Nylander didn't play with each other? Crazy times.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/AdamDeSanti/status/809791841105285121

 

[herman]

Wow Goat.

What a bad call though.

 

[ZBBM]

Ah, they don't want big guys running over the goalie.  I can see it.

 

[disco]

https://twitter.com/MapleLeafsHS/status/834943306350067712

 

[Kin]

I think that's a fair call on Gauthier, the problem is that doesn't really seem to be something that gets called consistently.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Had the same call against Byfuglien last game. You just can't skate into the goalie.

With that said, it's encouraging to see Gauthier use his body like that nonetheless.

 

[AvroArrow]

"What else is he supposed to do there?"

Uh, maybe not hit the goalie?

 

[herman]

Not sure Gauthier could've done anything about it with a guy on his legs.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

"What else is he supposed to do there?"

Uh, maybe not hit the goalie?

Kadri with a good example of what a player is "supposed" to do there. Stop. Don't skate into a goalie. Just don't. Or take your penalty.