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Morning Mashup: A Very Good Month

by on October 31, 2011 in Leafs News - 427 Comments

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Happy Halloween, MLHS’ers. There aren’t many positives to be drawn from yesterday’s loss but we can be pretty happy with the way this opening month of the season played out for the Maple Leafs.

The month was not without its pitfalls for the hockey club, but the team, more often than not, responded with flying colors. Injuries to Tim Connolly, Nazem Kadri, James Reimer, Colby Armstrong, Tyler Bozak, and  MacArthur’s early suspension were all factors which could have contributed to an ugly period of results for the team. Instead, the Leafs are 7-3-1 and have a lot to look forward to headed into month number two of the 2011-12 campaign.

After two days rest, it’s New Jersey and Columbus back to back as the Leafs look to put to bed any worries of a nightmare November repeat. Perhaps it’s simply Leafs fan paranoia, but a quick bounce back from the Sens loss seems imperative. I’d argue that given recent years, or at least last year, the team (or at least its core) knows how quickly things can snowball if given the chance. I’m quite sure as I’m writing this the coaches have already pointed that out.

Phil Kessel leads the league in goals and points and is the fourth-ranked forward in the league in plus/minus with a +6. Dion Phaneuf is +7 and has 11 points in 11 games played. Our slightly quieter third star for the month of October, Joffrey Lupul, has 11 points, 5 goals and is a +5. I always stay positive about our/my Maple Leafs and often choose to view things in a positive light, but finally this team is giving me the basis to. Sure, there are a lot of things to improve upon (special teams, defensive coverage, the passing game), but for the first time in a long time, the team has gained some ground in the early going. And, last but not least, we’re 7-3-1.

Trick or treat, give me something good to read!

LEAF LINKS:

Leafs to honor Mats Sundin – Toronto’s worst kept secret

JP Nikota at The Leafs Nation recaps last night’s loss

New pics up at Vintage Leafs, God I love these

Jon S at Puckin’ EH has his statistical take on last month

VLM thinks we’re seeing Dion we needed to see, and I agree

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  • Anonymous
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  • Burtonboy

    I was following that a bit. Getting a bit nasty eh

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  • tron

    whats the basis of the back and forth? Simmons a douche, lets put them in a back alley and see who comes out first.

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  • http://twitter.com/rickpearce76 Rick Pearce

    Good to see someone in the MSM is starting to figure out what we all knew last year. Awesome job guys! *slowclap*

    Someone should tell them that Phaneuf found his game again and Kessel has the best release in the league.

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  • Anonymous

    The last couple of years, except for the odd game, I’ve thought Karlsson (Ott) has looked like he could become an exceptional player, but never read much about how good he was here. Anyone think this kid could be a multiple Norris contender in the future?

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  • 50 Mission Cap

    yeah, what book are they talking about?

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  • Burtonboy
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  • Burtonboy

    The one Simmons wrote it’s called The Lost Dream

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  • dlb

    if our backup goalie allows us to play at .500 i have to be satisfied but i’ll likely wish for better (hate losing as much as the next guy)… we’re a team on the rise not a cup contender after all
    good point even in not trying to make one, uncle bob
    how about: beat the Habs, Sens and all other hated teams as part of the .500 and bob’s your uncle?

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  • dlb

    he has a lot to work on defensively but he’s got some elite level skills for sure … i hate him already

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  • Jordan

    did anything interesting happen today?

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  • Burtonboy
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  • Anonymous

    Raffi Torres is a racist…apparently

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  • tron

    start hoarding your food and water, it’s going to get scary out there hahaha

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  • Amoroq

    https://twitter.com/#!/snancypants/status/131099406001909760/photo/1

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  • Anonymous
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  • Anonymous

    If the team played like they did against the Pens, they would have run Ottawa out of the building. Kessel won them some games . Reimer won them some and Gus was soft goal away from ensuring a point or a win and solidifying his play
    Im not giving up on him.

    BTW , I dont know enough about hockey to criticize the coaching but I cant for the life off me figure out why Rosehill wasnt in the lineup against Ottawa.

    You may not need a goon in the game today, but you need someone to keep the other team honest instead of your Captain or Captain to be..

    If Orr and Rosie ,arent going to play then get rid off them

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  • wendelsway

    I would imagine Rosie wasn’t in the line up because they decided to roll with the same as they were winning….I don’t want to see Rosie and Orr go but do agree with you in that if you’re going to keep them, they have to be played.

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  • Burtonboy

    Geeze I didn’t realize NJ are 26th in the League. Bit of a surprise dat.

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  • 50 Mission Cap

    I read somewhere that the Leafs actually have more playoff wins than the Canadiens since 2000… I was trying to confirm it, but can’t seem to find the info… anyone know where I could find stats on that?

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  • Anonymous

    .I dont consider myself to be the brightest bulb on the planet, but not the stupidest either, and I cant figure out this new format….click here, scroll down….scroll up to comment…scroll down again……click…scroll…..refresh…scroll…click….

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  • Ensign
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  • wendelsway

    What I find is easiest…..if you’re trying to get caught up on posts…sort from oldest to newest…..once caught up switch to newest to oldest.

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  • Anonymous
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  • Burtonboy

    New blog up

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