Mislav Jantoljak
The locker cleanout day offered many interesting pieces of information that occupied me to the point of having to write about it. These are the quotes of things said that intrigued me the most. Below each quote is a note about what I took from it.
The season is over, but the postmortem examination is just beginning. I'll open this period of speculation, hope and dissection of our favorite hockey team with a piece that grades our entire roster beginning with forwards and ending with the masked men of TO.
Players who played part years like Matt Lashoff were not included because I think most would agree 11 games are not nearly enough to grade him on a seasonal basis, nor is it fair to that particular player. The grading system varies from A+ to D- but there is one exception (guess who?). Everyone likes grades.
Well, what are you waiting for? Do continue. [more…]
I guess you could call this game a step towards the future. No bigger stage than battling the arch rivals on Hockey Night in Canada on CBC. The game itself wasn’t something we’ll be very proud of but the play of our youngsters made me smile.
Other than the six goals scored, this was pretty much a typical Devils game. You could see the Leafs were somewhat drained on back to back nights. Continue.
Sondre Olden is a young player I started watching in the first game of this season’s rookie camp. He scored a somewhat lucky goal, but otherwise looked lanky and awkward. A game later, I started to take notice.
Smooth passing skills and a good frame, the kid even reminded me of Mats Sundin on a couple of occasions. This of course doesn’t mean he’ll be anything close to what Sundin was (few will) but that doesn’t mean that his movement and handling of the puck didn't ring some bells.
Olden was born in Oslo, Norway on August 29th, 1992. His natural position is center, but he can play any forward position (has played RW on more than a couple of occasions and was even listed as a RW on Norway’s roster for the 2010 World Junior Championships). A left handed shooter, he is currently listed as being 6ft4, 178 lbs. [more…]
This is a sad night for Leaf fans everywhere. We knew it was a long shot for a while now, but knowing it really is over always feels like a different kind of dagger.
Alexander the Great comes to Toronto with a win in mind. In our case tying the season series against the Capitals means prolonging what little is left of our playoffs hopes. However, even a win tonight can’t win the war against numbers. If Buffalo manages to beat Tampa, or even if that game goes into overtime the Leafs will officially be eliminated from the playoff race. Grab your voodoo paraphernalia, tarot cards, whatever other mumbo jumbo you might have and hope, just hope.
This was the sixth and final Battle Of Ontario this season, and boy did the Leafs come out firing. Games against Ottawa are never easy (except when we beat them 5-0) and this one proved to be more difficult than it needed to be, but all in all, the run continues, and that's really all that matters. Continue.
On a night where Boston was looking to clinch the division title, and the Leafs had to preserve their mathematical playoff hopes, you could cut the pressure in the air with a butter knife. This is how this team handled that pressure, do continue.
High quality stream available here.
No, there is no Leafs game tonight, but it's not like you won't be watching the Rangers take on Buffalo so we thought it might be a good idea to have that game discussion here. You know, sending those positive Leaf vibrations to the Rangers. We will provide all the necessary streams and a preview for your viewing pleasure provided you pick up that Sabres voodoo doll and stick some pins in for a good cause. Just this once, go regulation Rangers!
A character win when such a game was needed most to put a winning stamp on a great second part of the season.
"For those who fight for it, life has a flavor that the protected will never know." Tonight’s scenario is pretty simple, win and the Leafs preserve a modest chance to get in, lose and we’re practically on the golf course. Of all the must win games this season, this one probably takes the cake, as the stakes couldn’t get any higher.
The players still believe there is a chance to make the playoffs so who are we to argue? But, in order to make things somewhat interesting again, they have to prove themselves on the ice. This is the sixth and final time we meet the Sabres this season. Let’s make it count.
