sens @ Leafs - Oct. 5th, 7:00pm - CBC, SN 590

[mr grieves]

What another entertaining game.

The turning point may have been when Bernier came into the net, and it just seemed that the Leafs started playing with a bit more confidence and/or speed.

And what great timing Lupul's goal was at the end of the second.

Bernier should have started tonight, IMHO, given how well he played against the Flyers.  He has stolen 2 games so far.  The trade looks really solid, as, notwithstanding how well Frattin plays, he probably wouldn't ultimately make the difference in winning many games (like most 2nd or 3rd line forwards).

It is so refreshing to see Bernier's competence, and especially his rebound-control, and puck handling.  Reimer just has never been even average in those categories, and I just don't think that he ever will be.  Bernier should be the no. 1, unquestionably, (but then again Carlyle seems to see these games differently than most fans).

Well, Reimer's been slightly better at saving pucks over his career.  Let's not make any definitive decisions for a while.

Yeah, no one other than Bolland and Raymond looked any good in front of him. Change seems to have helped, or the top line finally got itself going and Rielly/Franson settled down.

 

[mr grieves]

Is it time we start officially referring to Bozak as "money" on breakaways? Say what you will about the rest of his game (Personally, I think he's pretty good), but I don't think there's another player on the Leafs I'm more confident in that one-on-one situation.

One on none, yes.

 

[Bonsixx]

Is it time we start officially referring to Bozak as "money" on breakaways? Say what you will about the rest of his game (Personally, I think he's pretty good), but I don't think there's another player on the Leafs I'm more confident in that one-on-one situation.

One on none, yes.

As a goalie, I consider a goalie as "one".

 

[ZBBM]

Rielly was pretty good tonight,

Huh?  He was -3 and he was -3 because he deserved to be -3.  Franson didn't help him much, to be sure.  But Rielly is definitely not NHL-ready on the defensive side.

 

[x.jr.benchwarmer]

What another entertaining game.

The turning point may have been when Bernier came into the net, and it just seemed that the Leafs started playing with a bit more confidence and/or speed.

And what great timing Lupul's goal was at the end of the second.

Bernier should have started tonight, IMHO, given how well he played against the Flyers.  He has stolen 2 games so far.  The trade looks really solid, as, notwithstanding how well Frattin plays, he probably wouldn't ultimately make the difference in winning many games (like most 2nd or 3rd line forwards).

It is so refreshing to see Bernier's competence, and especially his rebound-control, and puck handling.  Reimer just has never been even average in those categories, and I just don't think that he ever will be.  Bernier should be the no. 1, unquestionably, (but then again Carlyle seems to see these games differently than most fans).

Well, Reimer's been slightly better at saving pucks over his career.  Let's not make any definitive decisions for a while.

I certainly hear you about the relative paucity of games this year.  But the 4th goal on Reimer, just given the pitiful angle, and the way the puck went through him, especially at an important juncture in the game, certainly justified his getting lifted.  And he didn't play that well earlier in the game, either, with a somewhat less than stellar save percentage.

I just don't know why the focus isn't  simply on how well the goalies play each game, (and conceivably going with the goaltender who is playing really well) rather than worrying about a pairing of 1A or 1B, or hurt feelings, etc. etc. 

(I still think that Bernier is the better goaltender, talent wise, especially with his good glove hand, and puck handling and rebound control which are much much better than what we have seen of  James over the past 2 1/2 years or so).

 

[lc9]

Rielly was pretty good tonight,

Huh?  He was -3 and he was -3 because he deserved to be -3.  Franson didn't help him much, to be sure.  But Rielly is definitely not NHL-ready on the defensive side.

Disagree, he was pretty good.  Considering how bad guys like Ranger have been, it was nice to see.  Franson was bad tonight, he put his teammates in poor position often.

 

[Andy007]

Rielly was pretty good tonight,

Huh?  He was -3 and he was -3 because he deserved to be -3.  Franson didn't help him much, to be sure.  But Rielly is definitely not NHL-ready on the defensive side.

And Ranger, who was just awful, was a +2. That stat, on a good day, is nearly useless.
I thought Rielly was quite good. He made some great plays in both zones and often swiftly carried the puck out of danger; something none of the other d-men (save Gardiner, who was awesome) seem to be able to do. 

 

[drummond]

Is it time we start officially referring to Bozak as "money" on breakaways? Say what you will about the rest of his game (Personally, I think he's pretty good), but I don't think there's another player on the Leafs I'm more confident in that one-on-one situation.

The Leafs have been pretty bad in shootouts since this skill contest has been introduced, so if Bozak turns out to be their specialist in SO and gets the Leafs few more points in the standings he is worth every penny of his contract. Those points may become crucial to get into post season.

 

[Frank E]

I think Rielly is getting better...and he got better as the game went on.  I thought he played quite well, and was dangerous with the puck.

Ranger made some good positive strides, then made some super boners.

Franson was abnormally bad, and I think Gardiner is regressing again.  I hope he and Ranger can get their stuff together soon.  They both have a boatload of talent.

 

[Bill_Berg]

Phaneuf played a solid game. Played the body well and broke up plays. That two on one he broke up late in the third was huge.

 

[caver]

I think Rielly is getting better...and he got better as the game went on.  I thought he played quite well, and was dangerous with the puck.

Ranger made some good positive strides, then made some super boners.

Franson was abnormally bad, and I think Gardiner is regressing again.  I hope he and Ranger can get their stuff together soon.  They both have a boatload of talent.

I agree with your assessment Frank. And if the defence can get it together this team will be in for a good season. Franson should be able to repeat last year's success, we have seen Gardiner play at a high level against Boston so fingers crossed that he works up to that again, and I think Ranger can be a competent NHL dman once he settles in. 

 

[caver]

Also for the 4th line I like Devane over Mclaren.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Rielly was pretty good tonight,

Huh?  He was -3 and he was -3 because he deserved to be -3.  Franson didn't help him much, to be sure.  But Rielly is definitely not NHL-ready on the defensive side.

And Ranger, who was just awful, was a +2. That stat, on a good day, is nearly useless.
I thought Rielly was quite good. He made some great plays in both zones and often swiftly carried the puck out of danger; something none of the other d-men (save Gardiner, who was awesome) seem to be able to do.

I didn't think Ranger was awful and, like Rielly, got better as the game went along.  It's timing issues with Ranger, you can see he's adjusting to the speed of the NHL again and the time to make plays, but he's been physical and by the end of last night his passing was noticeably better.

 

[Kessel Run]

Pretty great to see the resilience to come back and win that one. Bernier looks calm and comfortable, while Rielly was extremely nervous. Was really hoping he would bury that chance in overtime. Also would have liked to see a penalty shot for Bolland there in OT.

 

[ZBBM]

Wow, lots of folks giving Rielly a hall pass here.  Plus/minus is not a perfect stat, we all agree.  But when you play defense and are a -3, there's no way you can say you had a good night.  All those goals weren't entirely Franson's fault, bad though he was.

I do agree, and think I mentioned earlier, that he looked better as the game went on.  So did the whole D.

He hasn't shown me that he's at all ready on the defensive side.  He needs more seasoning.  Unfortunately, he won't get much out of more junior.

 

[TML fan]

Rielly was pretty good tonight,

Huh?  He was -3 and he was -3 because he deserved to be -3.  Franson didn't help him much, to be sure.  But Rielly is definitely not NHL-ready on the defensive side.

He's more ready than Gardiner based on what I've seen.

 

[Bender]

Wow, lots of folks giving Rielly a hall pass here.  Plus/minus is not a perfect stat, we all agree.  But when you play defense and are a -3, there's no way you can say you had a good night.  All those goals weren't entirely Franson's fault, bad though he was.

I do agree, and think I mentioned earlier, that he looked better as the game went on.  So did the whole D.

He hasn't shown me that he's at all ready on the defensive side.  He needs more seasoning.  Unfortunately, he won't get much out of more junior.

So,  one game is a good benchmark for a kid coming out of junior who's playing cold?

I agree he needs some defensive work but by your +/- argument Lupul, Kadri and Franson are not nhl ready. The whole team played pretty badly after coming into the 2-2 score.

It's silly. Besides, Bernier took over with half the game remaining. Isn't it funny how they all stopped looking terrible after that?

I don't know how you don't cut the kid a bit of a break, honestly. He had some great flashes once Bernier came in. The only occasion where I said "wow" last night was watching a play where he lugged the puck by himself into the Sens zone,  his ability to skate is off the charts.

 

[TML fan]

He played with Franson last night. That's why he was -3.

He played alright.

 

[Bullfrog]

One on none, yes.

As a goalie, I consider a goalie as "one".

Nonetheless, that's not the phrase 99.99% of hockey fans use. Should we start calling 2-on-1s 2-on-2s?

 

[ZBBM]

Wow, lots of folks giving Rielly a hall pass here.  Plus/minus is not a perfect stat, we all agree.  But when you play defense and are a -3, there's no way you can say you had a good night.  All those goals weren't entirely Franson's fault, bad though he was.

I do agree, and think I mentioned earlier, that he looked better as the game went on.  So did the whole D.

He hasn't shown me that he's at all ready on the defensive side.  He needs more seasoning.  Unfortunately, he won't get much out of more junior.

So,  one game is a good benchmark for a kid coming out of junior who's playing cold?

I agree he needs some defensive work but by your +/- argument Lupul, Kadri and Franson are not nhl ready. The whole team played pretty badly after coming into the 2-2 score.

It's silly. Besides, Bernier took over with half the game remaining. Isn't it funny how they all stopped looking terrible after that?

I don't know how you don't cut the kid a bit of a break, honestly. He had some great flashes once Bernier came in. The only occasion where I said "wow" last night was watching a play where he lugged the puck by himself into the Sens zone,  his ability to skate is off the charts.

One game and preseason.

Nobody's questioning his offensive talents.  The problem is we need guys who can play defense (if you haven't noticed).  Rielly, I think, will eventually turn into a good all-round defenseman just because he seems to think the game well and his ability to skate is off the charts (if you haven't noticed).





8)




Phaneuf -- another guy people accuse me of bashing all the time -- was good last night and has been good all 3 games so far.  Happy to give credit where it's due.  But to say that Rielly had a good game last night is simply wrong, even though - again -- he did play better as it went on.