Post-Game Thoughts: Leafs Impressive on HOF Night
Update: During post-game media scrum, Wilson says Komisarek’s injury not serious.
The Maple Leafs appear to be clicking on all cylinders right now, slowly building momentum with a string of strong performances over the past two weeks. The powerplay has continued to carry the team offensively, the penalty killing has been perfect over the past 4 games, and now the Monster is beginning to run away with the starting job between the pipes.
Assorted notes and observations from tonight’s game:
- Right from the opening faceoff tonight, you could feel the Leafs wanted to make a statement game, starting out with a couple good early shifts highlighted by some good work along the boards by Niklas Hagman. Kudos to the Leafs for maintaining the intensity for the full 60 minutes tonight, marking easily their most complete game from start to finish so far this season. Excellent specialty teams play, strong forechecking, high energy and speed, topped off by spectacular goaltending all contributed to the lopsided win.
- Who would’ve thunk it, but Blake and Kessel seem to be working out quite well so far in the early going. Although Blake continues to love playing with the puck on his stick, the difference right now is that rather than settle for low percentage shots, he is using his speed effectively to create passing lanes and is looking for Phil at every opportunity. While all the attention is being focussed on Blake weaving back and forth along the boards (without losing it, which is a pleasant change), Kessel is doing what he does best and that’s lurking around and finding seams in the 5 on 5 set defense. On his stick, off his stick in a split second and there’s a an instant scoring chance. This should be an interesting duo to watch for the rest of the season.
- Not to be forgotten in that trio is John Mitchell, who played a strong game tonight, controlling play along the boards and crashing the net on a number of occasions. It seemed like a strange decision at first, but it appears Wilson made the right choice in swapping out Stajan from this line. They did try to go back to Matt on that line for a handful of shifts tonight, but without a whole lot of success. As for Stajan, he had a bizarre game in my eyes, somehow recording a point, +2 rating, and 60% faceoff percentage but still managed to lose a ton of puck battles and look invisible for much of the night.
- What can you say about Jeff Finger? Sits out a a while and comes in on Friday night to shake off the rust. The next night, he comes back with a 2 point night, solid all-around performance in 18 minutes of ice-time. Speaking of “invisible”, Jeff is exactly that but in the good sense of the word in that as a defenseman he’ll quietly do his job without standing out. No glaring mistakes, a handful of good individual plays, highlighted by a few points tonight. With Komisarek potentially out with a lower body injury, it appears Jeff is going to get another chance to re-establish his worth in Wilson’s eyes.
- Props to Phil Kessel for his first goal and multi-point night in a Leaf uniform, despite actually delivering a stronger performance during his debut against the Lightning. He already appears quite comfortable exchanging passes with Kaberle from the left faceoff circle on the powerplay, much like he did for the Bruins during his time with them. Between Kessel’s righthanded snipe from the left side and Stempniak’s good low point shot from the right, I like the way Wilson is insulating Kaberle with a pair of shooting options on either side. Opposing teams are going to have a horrific time defending that trio, and you may have noticed the Red Wings forwards cheating high towards Kessel to take away his shot during the 3rd period. That may lead to increased use of the low cross ice pass/shot from Kaberle that Gus touched upon last week.
- Grabovski looks like a very different player from the one we first saw early last season. He’s playing stronger on the puck along the boards and is positioning himself better to absorb hits in a way that he can maintain puck possession. He’s also made great strides to improve upon his major weakness from last season, the faceoff circle, winning 75% of his draws tonight. The young Belarussian chipped in an assist, now putting him on an 82 game pace of 66 points. The Leafs did well to lock up the 25 year old to a reasonable contract that will see him earn just $2.9M/season for another 2 years after this one. It’s beginning to look like they may have found themselves a player here, whom is beginning to round out nicely into a two-way threat.
- Niklas Hagman is another player who delivered a fantastic effort tonight, despite not making it onto the scoresheet. He played quite sparingly, receiving just under 13 minutes of ice-time on the night, but was certainly a stand-out performer on a number of plays. He did an excellent job with Stempniak choking off the neutral zone rush during the penalty kill and battled hard along the boards to kill off several valuable seconds. One particular play that stood out to me tonight was an end-to-end footrace with one of the Detroit blueliners during the penalty kill where Hagman pushed himself at full speed just to tap it off the defender’s stick a few more feet into the zone and proceeded to turn around and skate at full speed back the other way to break up the play a second time after the outlet pass had been made. A few seconds later you could see him coming off the ice absolutely gassed; that’s the kind of exemplary effort you need night in and night out if you want to win.
- The last player I wanted to touch on tonight was Ian White, whom many of you know is a favourite of mine. Another 2 assists tonight, +2 rating, and a number of underrated but key defensive breakups on odd-man rushes. Besides the obvious puck moving ability and uncanny ability to get shots through from the point, it’s strange to note that the diminutive defender rarely loses those 1-on-1 battles, even against larger more physical forwards. Excellent positioning, an active stick and good upper body strength go a long way in aiding White’s evolution into a very good young blueliner.
- Interesting stat: Gustavsson’s numbers now stand at a 2.60 GAA and .918 SV%
alex.tran@mapleleafshotstove.com
November 8th, 2009 at 1:16 am
@BlueandWhite.
Did we watch the same game tonight? Schenn had by far his best game this season and had over 18 minutes of ice time. He showed great patience on the PK and was solid 5 on 5, and finished with a plus/minus of 2. If anything I think getting time cut back was what he needed, because he isn’t the type of player to bitch about a lack of ice time, he is the type who works harder to earn it back as he did tonight.
November 8th, 2009 at 1:17 am
Love what Phil said about his first goal “you have to bury it”. It doesn’t matter that the puck was dribbling that way anyhow, he did what I was hoping which is to not give a damn about anyone’s personal feelings regarding who scores what goals and just bury the biscuit. It’s nice to see a guy out there that has killer instinct, it’s infectious. Same goes for The Monster, he completely kills the opposition. He’s not happy just beating you……he needs to KILL you! What a beast!
November 8th, 2009 at 1:38 am
@ Hey Tucker: Can you “see” me?
November 8th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Hey Bud, Many will say Finger is the one being showcased but at that salary, good luck.
Exelby IMO is the one who Burke is selling and I think there will be buyers. There is no need for Exelby on this team with Komisarek
November 8th, 2009 at 1:47 am
@ blue and white ….schenn played almost 19 mins tonight …
November 8th, 2009 at 1:50 am
Internet black holes?
November 8th, 2009 at 1:53 am
Was at the game tonight. Great all around effort. Gustavsson was excellent, and early on did exactly what he was brought here to do — make the key saves when the game was close. Still has to work on his rebound control, as he has a nasty habit of kicking the puck right out into the slot, but to his credit he is quick enough to usually recover in time when that happens.
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Finger is an interesting case … glad you pointed him out, Alex. He was solid all night, and his goal was a beauty of a shot. Early in the season he struggled mightily and was sat down as a result. Sometimes, sitting a guy for an extended period is a necessary evil … and in this case it appears to have worked out. Finger got the message, that much is apparent, and the past two games he’s been back in he has seemed on a mission to prove he belongs in the lineup. If he keeps playing the way he did tonight, Wilson will have a hard time sitting him for that length of time again. In many ways, it’s a situation similar to that of Ian White last season, where he was in the press box to start the year. He made the most of his chances and stuck the rest of the way … for Finger’s sake, here’s hoping the same holds true.
.
I know someone’s going to ask this … rumour blog coming tomorrow. A quick spoiler for you: Ian White is not likely to be traded anytime soon … rumour has it the team will at some point be looking to offer a contract extension prior to the end of the season. He’s a favorite not just of the coaching staff, but of the management team as well.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:00 am
It was a great game. Not that i’m a huge fan of Don cherry but his comments of Gustavsson playing a roberto Luongo style of play is very true. I remember TT pointing this out. Not that we have our Roberto Luongo or Henrik Lundqvist but man does he look good out there. I think it’s fair not to expect him to be at that level but the fact he is so far is that much sweeter. As long as he gives us a chance to win every night I’m happy. I’m interested to see how Toskala play’s his next chance.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Those rebounds are a little scary, as are his puck handling skills, or lack thereof. If they drop the trapezoid rule (which they discussed on other “hot stove” tonight) then it will be an even bigger issue.. Andrew, although I agree it is a team, effort and there are other factors, it all comes back to confidence, Gus has it, and the team feeds off that… it is really that simple… it changes the way the team and each player plays… and now we are seeing the results… confidence is contagious.
Two wins in a row, and things are looking up, but let’s not get carried away, we are still in 29th place and they need to get another 6 or 7 wins in November before we can start seriously talking playoffs, never mind first place in the Northeast Division… man, this is a rollercoaster ride!
November 8th, 2009 at 2:14 am
@ LeafsRyan
I’m fearing he (Toskala) will get another chance…
November 8th, 2009 at 2:21 am
@ leafs_20
Didn’t see most of the game, so glad to hear it was possibly Schenn’s best game, but I did see him get undressed near the end of the game by Brad “the Magician” May … Ouch! Hopefully his confidence is returning… I have a feeling he might have some lingering effects from that knee problem in the summer, because he just doesn’t seem as quick or mobile as he did before…
November 8th, 2009 at 2:21 am
Ian White has embodied Maple Leaf spirit.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:29 am
Have had him in my Yahoo pool for some time,……full time starter. What can you say, the numbers don’t lie. The guy kicks ass….
November 8th, 2009 at 2:44 am
Since most hockey related topics have been well covered and discussed, I hope the MLHS denizens will allow me to vent about THE FUCKING DOUCHEBAG BROADCASTERS! God Damn! I am SO SICK of the commentators on HNIC that I actually miss the geriatric fog of Bob Cole. At least he had a personality. The two tools blabbering their way through the game made it sound like it was Detroit leading 3 – nothing for the bulk of the game, spewing their collective wad as they verbally jerked off anyone in the Red Wing organization, the platers the coaches… Even Wasgood, who was plain awful, got a lengthy ass licking after making A SAVE, and the two cheerkeaders in the booth were calling for an almost inevitable Wings comeback just because they killed off a penalty.
Look, I know the Red Wings are a great organization. I know Lidstrom is a single digit number of alk time kind of d man. I respect the talent of their players and the vision of their front office and coaches. But the anti Leaf sentiment, the government mandated sweeping under the rug if all things Leafs is just too much, and simetimes I simply boil over. Newsflash HNIC: YOUR SHOW WOULD NOT EXIST, NONE OF YOU WOULD HAVE JOBS uf it wasnt for Toronto and the Leafs. For that matter, many teams in the NHL would not see a sell out save for the few visits by the Leafs. Since when did it become synonimous with political correctness to show this ignorance towards the Leafs?!
And even Hendrik on LeafsTV, a guy I generally see as a twit, albeit a harmless and seemingly pleasant one, made me homicidal today. He interviews Gusto after the game – lets remenber, the one HE WON, keeting in only ONE GOAL AND MAKING 35 FUCKING SAVES… and this load that should have been swalkowed asks him… about the one goal he let in, implying that he has a lot to adjust to in the N. American game! For fuck sakes, is this a joke? Is Hendrik senile? Or just stoooooopid?
Thanks for letting me vent, I am off to kill some 12 year olds on line, maybe blow off some aggretion on CoD
Oh yeah, IAN WHITE FOR CAPTAIN.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:58 am
@ gnashings
Agree with you and our very funny rant.
November 8th, 2009 at 2:58 am
EDIT***your***
November 8th, 2009 at 3:32 am
Maybe if I snap my fingers I’ll get back to MLHS. Could it be that easy Beverly. Make it so, Wesley.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:38 am
I might have to waste some magic dust. Shit.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:41 am
What’s Jonas’ email address? Maybe he can fix this.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:43 am
Hmm. Almost 4:00 am. I wonder if there’s a Leaf blog in China.
November 8th, 2009 at 3:50 am
Shit, i type even worse when i’m ranting… sorry about all the typos
November 8th, 2009 at 4:19 am
“…the team seems poised to break off a big-time run to put themselves back into the Eastern Conference’s playoff picture.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jdUr5hF0yGc
November 8th, 2009 at 7:41 am
Who the hell is this “gus” everyone keeps referring to?
Gustavsson? The MONSTER? Is that what you are trying to say?
Thank God people are not actually using “goose” but “gus” is just as pointless. Just say “monster”, a couple extra letters to type, please do it! Ack, I better go get a coffee.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:04 am
Everytime I miss a first period the Leafs win. I’m 2-0 this year!
Gusmonster aka GM was great and the team’s fragile ego from the Toskala-powered shellacking at the start of the year looks to be rapidly healing.
Hopefully, BB doesn’t lose sight of the rebuilding that needs to be done – and can be opportunistic and trim some of the excess flab from this team as it emerges from last place to the lofty heights of … second last!
We still need some muscle up front – and how odd that this is a BB team without his promised toughness on our forward lines.
I’m happy to see Primeau and Finger score. It gives the team the sense that everyone is contributing. Go Whitey!
November 8th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Could Kessel be Blake’s “Yashin” from his point getting days on the island? Not saying that Kessel plays like Yashin (far from it), but it seems Blake finally has a lot more JUMP and JAM since playing with him.
Maybe it’s the possibility of TEAM USA and teaming up together there too….
Just making conversation.
November 8th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Wallin was the only Leaf with a -… he was -1. In a 5-1 game, that’s sad. Here’s a weird one, must be a mistake. Finger had a goal and assist, but was only a 0. We know he was on for 2 goals, since he had a part in 2 and we know Detroit only scored one, so how is he not a +1?
November 8th, 2009 at 10:10 am
@charlie
One was on the PP
November 8th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Ahh…. Haha, can’t believe I didn’t think of that!!
November 8th, 2009 at 10:18 am
[...] post is from here. Visit the link to read more.Complete domination tonight, boys… Gus blew my mind on some of those [...]
November 8th, 2009 at 10:19 am
i dont know why every one continues to shit on stajan hes a good player hes not playing himself off the roster hes just being put on a line that makees the leafs successful hes a third line forth line guy who plays pk i have always been a fan of stajan hes been a leader in the dressing room for a while hes always the one talking to reporters after the game but i never believed he was a top notch player. i think stajan is a great player but that doesnt mean i feel he should be a top two line guy he should be centring the third line with a guy named hanson and a guy named Dustin Byfuglien or patrick sharp. so honestly id love to see one person justify there hate of him. just because hes not on the top two lines doesnt mean he shouldnt have an A on his jersey or shouldnt be on this team HES A GREAT DEPTH GUY so wake up and post about how bad aki berg is if you need to hate someone
November 8th, 2009 at 10:21 am
the finger thing didnt he make a pass and jump on the bench so he got an assist but wasnt actually on the ice so wasnt given a plus maybe??
November 8th, 2009 at 10:39 am
@ Only
Sharp isn’t a third line guy!
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Jordan said it was on the pp, which wouldn’t count for the +/-. Haven’t checked that, but I’ll believe him.
.
I just checked and Finger’s assist wasn’t on the pp… so I really don’t get it unless maybe you’re right.
November 8th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I’m assuming Phil Kessel’s going to break out after 4 more games or so.
November 8th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
wow… tuckerthomas is right…. that is fucking gaaaay hahaha
November 8th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
sharp can be a third forth line guy sharp is the same type of player as stajan but with jonathon toews and patrick kane shooting pucks of him…sharp is a little better but same type of player if stajan was playing in chicago i can bet hed have as many points as sharp… my point is too many people rag on stajan hes not a first line guy so stop saying hes terrible cause hes not top two line material hes gunna be dynamite on the third forth line and the pk i really liked how he was used last night although i wouldve rather seen him on the third line instead of wallin cause hes got more offense than wallin
November 8th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Yes, Sharp is a third or fourth line guy. Uh, ok…
November 8th, 2009 at 3:38 pm
In the last 7 or 8 games we have played very well and for the most part have been the better team in each of those games, yet were still tied for 28th place in the entire league, so the question is where do we go from here? In five games we will have reached the quarter pole of the season, is it realistic for us to jump past 6 teams and make the playoffs? Of course it is possible but it will definitely be tough. The first place to start is games within the division. As it stands right now we are fifth in the Northeast and in order to have any shot at the playoffs we will have to finish at least 3rd. From November 30 to December 26 the Leafs will play 9 divisional games, and these games will either get us seriously back in the playoff hunt or will be a huge nail in the coffin of eliminating us.
The other teams that we are competing with to gain a spot are Florida, Atlanta, NYI, and Tampa Bay. Out of all these teams the one that scares me the most is Tampa. I believe that we are a much better club than FLA, ATL, and NYI, and if we continue to play solid defense and get good goaltending we will finish ahead of them in the standings. The reason Tampa scares me is that they have a very potent offense right now since Malone and Stamkos have picked up the pace from last year, and if VL ever regains his form they will be very scary. The acquisitions of Ohlund and Hedman have somewhat solidified their defense corp and they have a very respectable 1-2 punch in net. Smith has been pretty good so far and Nittymaki has been unbelievable lately, just look at Kessel’s first game. Add all of this to a weaker division now that carolina has seemed to have lost their game, TB looks to have a good shot of making the playoffs.
The Leafs are currently 6pts out of 7th(Tampa) and 5pts behind their division rivals Boston, Ottawa, and Montreal. There is obviously plenty of time to make up these points but head to head match ups will be absolutely critical from here on out as all of those games will be 4 point matchups. It is never too early to look at the playoff race especially after the start the Leafs have had.
Hopefully the players are smart enough to realize how important these upcoming games will be (especially in December) and get up for them and win a few.
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