Sabres at Leafs Post-Game Quick Hits

by Alec Brownscombe on January 1, 2009 in Uncategorized - 513 Comments

A few quick thoughts from tonight’s game via the blackberry…

-Firstly, a soporific affair inside the ACC tonight.

-Jiri Tlusty had troubles settling into the game and looked edgy. He handled the puck like a hand grenade, likely due to nerves. It looked to be a result of his trying too hard to impress.

-No word yet as to whether or not Curtis Joseph has left his right post after the Sabres’ third goal by Pominville. CuJo was shaky at best, beat near-side and far-side on some pretty weak goals. Only 20 shots allowed on the night by the Leafs, equating to a .800 sv% for CuJo.

-Leafs’ 28 shots were mostly low percentage, not enough bodies getting into the blue-ice looking for rebounds. The Leafs seemed to continually pelt point shots at the net but to no avail as the shots either were blocked or missed (15 MS tonight). It was a tightly contested defensive game in which the Leafs could not compete due to a lack of support from their goaltender when he was called upon. If you intend on winning a squeaker by a goal, you simply need good goaltending. On the other hand, Ryan Miller was solid.

-John Mitchell and Jonas Frogren were the best Leaf performers in my opinion. Frogren’s one nasty piece of business. Apparently Tuesday night he blocked a shot full on with his ribs. Mean.

-Nik Antropov had a bad case of the turnovers tonight.

-If Ponikarovsky isn’t scoring on rebounds, what is he doing?

-Roy’s one lucky little diver. Might have changed the complexion of the game if Nik Hagman scored on that penalty-shot, as I said I think most of this team’s play is dictated by belief in themselves. Late in the first period, it would’ve set the tone for the next period with the Leafs in the lead 1-0.

-This team could really use Matt Stajan and Luke Schenn back. Fortunately Schenn looks to be nearing a return.

-A couple of Columbus scouts were in attendance at the ACC tonight. There definitely appears to be something in the works between Brian Burke and Scott Howson, and from what I’ve heard young goaltender Pascal Leclaire has been discussed between the parties. Burke loves goalies with size (Dan Cloutier/JS GIguere does that to you). More here.

Tags: Alexei Ponikarovsky, Brian Burke, Columbus, Curtis Joseph, Dan Cloutier, Jiri Tlusty, John Mitchell, Jonas Frogren, lucky little diver, Luke Schenn, Matt Stajan, MS, National Hockey League, Nik Antropov, Nik Hagman, Pascal Leclaire, Pominville, Ryan Miller, Scott Howson, Toronto Maple Leafs Print article