Leafs/Blue Jackets: Post-Game

A Kessel fight, a Blake goal (or two), and a Kulemin shortie.  It was a night of rarities as the Leafs took it to Columbus with a decisive 6-3 victory. Toronto beat the Blue Jackets to loose pucks all night long, forced turnovers with their speed, and miraculously capitalized on their chances.

-The lines are clicking right now.  Ron Wilson is a compulsive line-changer but he may be hard pressed to mix it up too much the way the Leafs forwards are playing.  Phil Kessel just keeps on cruising with another two goals tonight.  Stunningly enough, they are all at even strength.  This has as much to do with a suddeningly anemic Toronto powerplay as it does Kessel’s prowess.  He is doing an exceptional job at getting into the open areas and releasing quick shots as his top-end skill is shining through.  To be honest, most of Toronto’s forwards would have attempted a jam play on Kessel’s first goal tonight when the puck was in Mason’s pads.  Instead, Phil calmly pulled it out and put it up. That’s the difference that will pay huge dividends for our American sniper.  The kid is playing with fire and confidence, even getting into a tussle with Kris Russell.  Alexei Ponikarovsky has also done an excellent job of making space with his size and drawing some additional coverage.

-While Grabovski and Hagman have been an effective duo for a while now, Leafs nation should pray that they’ve genuinely got Jason Blake on a roll after a two-goal outburst by the oft-maligned winger.  As much as he is criticized, Blake works tirelessly and just needs to get rolling.  He won’t justify his contract, but if he manages to chip in consistently on offense he will be an important part of this team going forward. I’m a firm believer that this line has legitimate potential as a second-line scoring threat going forward.

-Nik Kulemin is having an outstanding sophomore campaign.  He may not be lighting it up offensively but I know you have all noticed his perseverance defensively and underrated physical presence.  I believe the shifty Russian has the talent to be a 20+ goal scorer that is a defensive stalwart and stud on the penalty kill.  Ron Wilson has begun to show confidence in Kulemin’s play and this is carrying over to Nik’s on-ice performance.

-Joey MacDonald had a lights-out game in net.  The Marlies tender frustrated Rick Nash and co. all night long.  More importantly, he had a handful (too many!) of saves to make on shorthanded and odd-man rushes and answered the bell with aplomb.  With Gustavsson on the sidelines for a bit and Toskala waiting in the wings, goalie assignments will be a tough call for the coaching staff going forward.

The Leafs have a big hill to climb to get back into playoff contention.  With the way they have been playing, they will have a chance to pull out a win every night.  They will require some consistency both up front and in their own end of the ice if they are to string together some noteworthy streaks.

Here are some questions for you, our knowledgeable readers, on the Leafs going forward:

1) Blake: beginning of a streak, or a flash in the pan?

2) In Boston: Joey MacDonald or Vesa Toskala?

3) What is Nik Kulemin’s potential?

4) What should the Leafs do to improve their powerplay?

As always, interested to hear your thoughts.

Cheers,

Nik

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  • Tim

    kingkessel wrote:

    There has been a lot of talk recently about the Leafs not being able to win at home.

    I cannot remember the last time the ACC looked like how the Saddledome looks where every single person is going insane and wearing a jersey, or how things are in Chicago right now, a “party” atmosphere.
    I went to a game a few weeks ago and that place sounded like a god damn business meeting. It was pathetic, thats what needs to be addressed at home. The Leafs play hard, but can never get into it because the crowd is so awful. When the opening puck drops its absolutely silent. Something needs to be done about that.

    Yep I agree….but if a Fan like myself was to have a few pints and try to rock the ACC….”sir can you put your beer down and come with us”. The fucking pathetic rules, and suits that set the rules, are one of the biggest jokes in hockey. Even if your not making a scene or causing trouble. If suit A is annoyed you will be asked to leave. It’s even similar at a Marlie game.

  • Neverlosehope

    Alex Tran wrote:

    Tim wrote:
    Alex I know you are big on Tlusty what was your reaction to the move today?
    Would I have done it? Nope. I think Tlusty is way too young too be tossed under the bus, as a point-a-game AHLer. I am convinced he is going to be a legitimate 60-70 point player very soon.
    However, I do like some of the intangibles Paradis can bring this team, so I’ll remain cautiously optimistic about him. Hopefully he becomes the next Ryan Kesler or Cal Clutterbuck.

    Agreed, I think Tlusty has too much upside to bail out on him already. But can’t grasp your optimistic hope for Paradis? Kesler and Clutterbuck are two completely different type of players, and although both are useful in their roles, Kesler is a beast, a poor man’s Mike Richards, and Clutterbuck is a hitting machine, that offers virtually nothing else. A real “shift” disturber, who can play a valuable role, but not even in the same league as Kesler. Unless Paradis becomes another Kesler (learns to skate and develops as of yet unseen latent offensive talents), we may have been fleeced on this one.

    And by the way, it should be mentioned that the GM who made the deal with Burke, has led his team to two Cup finals (one victory) and a semi-final (last year) in the last seven years. Seems to know what he is doing.

  • dawriter67

    All Hail Kessel the Vessel!

  • Neverlosehope

    Regarding the PP, not sure why it is that for about ten games now, everyone and their grandmother can see how predictable and stale the PP is, with little movement and an exaggerated attempt to always get the puck to Kessel as if he works magic, and yet RW does nothing to change it.

    Obviously not even the most optimistic Leaf fan, not even Jordan… LOL, expected this PP to be near the top of the league at the end of the year, but this latest version is pathetic, and unless sourpuss addresses the problem (that’s what a coach does right?) it will eventually start costing games. You can’t expect every night to be like tonight, where all the bounces go your way and your goalie outplays the other team’s (especially with Toskala lurking in the shadows).

    What a way to top off a perfect night. Leafs win handily, Stroumphs get thumped and Sens get battered. Ah, if this could just continue for a few weeks…

  • wiski

    I think it`s time to lay off Burke and let him do what he was paid to do,it fun to play monday morning qb but the man has a view of what he wants this team to be and I for one am behind him.He stood behind what he thought he had when we were all screaming for change and things are starting to come around.

  • Dirk_Diggler

    With the Flyers struggling do you think they could become trading partners? I would like to see scott hartnell on this team.

  • Tim

    @ Neverlosehope: I don’t think the comparison was of Kesler and Clutterbuck being the same type of player, more that he could become a Kesler the “beast” or Clutterbuck the “hitting machine”. I would like him to fall in between as he is described now having a solid two way game and a scoring threat if he finds his stride.From what I’ve heard of Paradis’s supporters and critic’s is he definitely has the tools to get it done and has always had the work ethic.

    Personally I liked Tlusty but feel he will be a one dimensional player, that of the finesse type. If he makes it then we could loose a very good player. If he doesn’t we loose nothing as I can not see Tlusty as a checking line bottom six player and he’s shown virtually none of that so far.

  • Neverlosehope

    A close look at the second goal will demonstrate why we did not miss Komisarek while he was out… what a mistake that was Brian.

    The Flyers are in no position to take on salary, and what do we have that would help them get out of their funk? We have nothing to help a team like that with the exception of Phil Kessel… and I don’t imagine we are shopping him at the moment.

    The fact is we are not in a position to trade right now, except maybe for mid to late round draft picks and not sure we would get premium value at this point and time.

  • Neverlosehope

    @ Tim

    Totally agree. Tlusty will never be a bottom six… he has all the tools to be a top six and that is why one of the best GMs in the league traded for him, to improve their young skilled talent pool. Now, I admit we need character, grit players, but bottom six are a lot easier to come by than top six, and Paradis does not realistically project as a top six. The physical game is not evident yet either, and so we have to hope he develops into a power forward, but his scoring clip in the Q, a notoriously offensively oriented league, does not inspire a lot of hope in that regard. Time will tell… but really don’t see this as a good move for the time being.
    Maybe I would feel better if BB hadn’t put Exelby ahead of White on the depth chart at the beginning of the year?

  • Tim

    @ Neverlosehope:

    That’s what makes hockey the best sport. I believe Tlusty will not end up in a top six roll, I’ve watched him develop and have never felt that “wow we have a gem here” given his opportunities even on a weak team. He has never had the work ethic I believe he needs to succeed. Not that he can’t be taught it or given a chance elsewhere to prove any naysayers, I just don’t see it.

    Your statement about Paradis physical game not yet evident, is completely the opposite of what I’ve read and his own coaches say about him. I think he was described as relentless, will dive to get a loose puck out, hits everyone hard and rarely backs down from a challenge. He is willing to play in the tough zones…etc It was along those lines anyway, not exact quotes but if Tlusty showed half these characteristics then I’d say, we lost this hands down.

    His skating and shot accuracy I believe where among the area’s needing work, these are things that practice and hard work are meant for. By all accounts he seems to have no problem with practice and hard work. Actually he seems to thrive on it.

  • honesthockey

    Best Leaf showing of the season. Five of the top 6 with 2.points each (except for useless with zip) and the bottom 6 chipping in. Good goaltending when needed and the big boys on “d” getting the job done.

  • Cameron

    Neverlosehope – Rutherford’s teams have also shit the bed immediately after experiencing any kind of success. In fact, you can make the argument that Carolina has only 2 quality players, and that those two players have twice now, single handedly lead the team to the post-season and beyond. I don’t think it’s time to start calling Rutherford a genius.

    Let’s not discount what Burke has done either. Twice now he’s taken the Vancouver Canucks from one of the lowliest teams in the league and returned them to respectability. He laid the groundwork for the great team they have now. He also has a more recent Cup win than Rutherford. Moreover, you can see in Anaheim now, that Burke’s presence is clearly missed. Same players, but different results.

    Point is, it’s not like Burke is a rookie GM wandering aimlessly around making trades with whoever is nice to him. And Komisarek is a fine addition. If you’re going to rip him on missing a blocked shot, you need to manage your expectations. These things happen when a team is up 6-1 – you let your guard down a little bit.

    That said, Tlusty will probably be a very good player for the Hurricanes. BUT, he never would have been that here. Every time he came off the ice in TOronto he would have been drilled by 200 media personnel about why he couldn’t bury his chances, why he didn’t finish a check, why he fell at 13:03 of the 2nd period, what caused him to hook an opposing player at 17:12 of the 3rd, why he didn’t see an open man on such and such a play. He was not going to handle the transition from AHL to NHL well in Toronto, and that’s why he’s gone.

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  • jaredoflondon

    heres a little quote from Steve over at hockey analysis on Paradis

    “1. Shawinigan this season is a rookie heavy team – they have 15 of them to go with 13 veteran players. They’ve been losing games REALLY badly. Like 10-1, or 7-0, or 7-1. They don’t play very well defensively as a team, and their goaltenders haven’t been that great either.

    2. Considering the fact that his team has given up the most goals of any in the top 10, it’s not surprising he has a -3 rating. They also have the 7th best offense of any team in the top 10, so they aren’t shooting the lights out either exactly.

    3. The Q is full of overage players… he isn’t 2 millionth in scoring in the Q, he’s 26th amongst players under the age of 19. The top 18 year old scorer only has 33 points in 26 games, and only 7 players in the top 50 who are under 19 are scoring at better than a point per game…. relax on the scoring thing.”

    Made me feel MUCH better about the Tlusty trade, and shows that maybe Burke knows something that you can’t quantify by looking at Paradis’ stats.

  • McKelvie

    1) Blake always starts slow and will progress throughout the season. He will finish from 50-60 points once again, but If they can find a trade for him… then take it.

    2) Joey MacDonald..

    3) A poor man’s Pavel Dastyuk

    4) Shoot from the point more.

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