Jonas Gustavsson. Phil Kessel. Matt Stajan. (Ok that last one was just to mess with you). The Leafs continued their point streak and began a hopefully lengthy run of wins with a victory over the visiting Red Wings tonight. It was an admirable performance across the board tonight as followers of this Maple Leafs squad hover in a state of trepid excitement. One thing we can be sure about is that Gustavsson has given us a level of goaltending not seen in these parts for quite a while.
Here are some quick notes from this Saturday night shindig:
-I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was surprised that Jason Blake did not pout when Phil Kessel “finished off” his tip in. The duo had another strong night along with their center John Mitchell. Kessel was a bit gassed from the heavy workload after his long layoff, but Toronto fans should get used to the different dynamic that this gamebreaker brings to their club. It’s been a while since the Leafs had a player that can be counted on to be an offensive threat night on end. And truthfully, the kid’s just getting rolling.
-What? Reliable special teams? Leafs Nation must be wondering if Christmas came early because this is a trend that is not dissapearing. The powerplay has been efficient for a few weeks now. A slick Tomas Kaberle is quarterbacking what has become an exceptionally well-controlled extra-man unit. They have displayed extraordinary patience and are often seen simply wearing out the opposition until they cash in. In this case, the extra dimension that Kessel injects is amplified by the additional one-timer option.
-As everyone is well aware, the biggest story of this game was Jonas Gustavsson. All night long the Swedish tender frustrated a persistent Red Wings offence. Surprise surprise…solid goaltending begets improvements across the board. To name a few: an aggressive penalty kill, fierce board-play, and confident defenders. On one hand, it’s sad that he did not secure a shutout as he deserved. Yet this writer is glad that we got to avoid the inevitable cringe-worthy headlines about how Toronto’s netminder laid a “Goose” egg.
Fellow fans, expect a backlash of “check your expectations” from the Toronto media. Be prepared for an onslaught of “PLANNING THE PARADE?!?” from snide fans of other teams. I urge you otherwise. Enjoy it for what it is. Bask in a stretch of great play by YOUR team and pray to anyone that is listening for it to continue. Oh, did I mention that Wayne Primeau started the scoring? And Jeff Finger added in a snipe of his own? A night of surprises indeed.
As always, interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers,
Nik
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November 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
We need somebody to get an update on Komisarek please.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Great post-gamer, and in record time!
Gustavsson…I love you.
Kessel…I love you.
Everyone…I love you.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
excellent night with the hall of famers, awesome night with the win
November 7th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
Monster was solid … finally a few good bounces as well.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
When I saw Kerry Fraser out there I thought … oh my god, not going to be a good night
November 7th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Ron I love you to man! In a hockey man type way bud….haha
November 7th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
gustavsson is getting better and better every game. i dont think anyone thought he was gonna be this good
November 7th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
he looks so calm and focused in the net it is ridiculous.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:26 pm
Jordan ya agree I was amazed at some of his saves, this guy looks like the real deal, then the interview he seemed really composed, gotta love it man.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
London Knights won 5-3 tonight.
Kadri 0 points.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:29 pm
The Monster is an outstanding goaltender. I think he just secured the number one spot for the season after today’s game. But I know Toskala will get a start soon. Kessel is amazing. I’m happy for the fact that we have an offensive threat that we can rely on day in and day out. I want to give credit to other player such as Finger, Primeau and even Orr for their strong showing. Orr’s hit led to the 1st goal. In overall, tonight’s game was just an amazing showing of team work.
GO LEAFS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
awesome game by the buds…. i would gladly give up a 1st round pick for the GOOSE!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:31 pm
I still think the Goose is gonna catch on. Would loved to have seen a goose egg on the board. Kessel has so much skill that he doesn’t have to play great to be a factor. Mitchell is starting to bang them home which is really nice to see as he has played hard all year. Hope Komi is OK. Tail bone bruises are brutally slow healers as I know from experience after sledding and taking the biggest jump at the bottom and landing on an icy patch. OUCH!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:35 pm
“Surprise surprise…solid goaltending begets improvements across the board.”
Absolutely. Gustavsson is even making the Leafs penalty kill look good. They seem more aggressive, willing to put more pressure on the puck and not sit back as much.
10 points out of a possible 14 in the last 7 games.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
leafs89- ya he’s lookin like the first Burke was saying he was worth.
TT- I was really hoping to see a shut out tonight, I wonder where his save % and GA are?
November 7th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
@leafs89
Exactly. That’s why I always tell myself: Two 1sts and a 2nd for Kessel, Gustavsson, Hanson and Bozak. It may not be exactly true, but it’s true at the bottom of the ledger.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:40 pm
This game begins and ends with Gustavsson. I grew up in the Felix Potvin era when he came up as a rookie to play with the Leafs. He became a front-line goaltender but not a ‘franchise’ goalie. Dare I say that Gus has the makings of becoming one. He just gets better every game and seems to shake off a bad goal. Can’t say the same for Toskala.
.
Would love to see Gus battle for the Calder this year and certainly could if he continues to post wins. Much like when Cujo first came to the Leafs, you just knew he would come up with the big save. The confidence in Gus has certainly led to the Leafs playing with more confidence and swagger.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
.918 with a 2.60 for our boy Gustavsson.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Gustavsson
.972 save percentage and 1.00 GAA tonight.
.918 save percentage and 2.60 GAA on the season.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Surfsimply- That’s why Burke brought it up saying getting those guy’s was like getting free first rounders and he didn’t have a problem with the Kessel deal. Although he did say it was a steep price and a gamble, that is looking not bad right now and time will tell the other part of it.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
TT and Canucks thank’s guy’s he is looking really good.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
Gustavsson looks to be well on his way to winning the Calder Trophy!!
Gotta love the Powerplay with Kessel and Blake avaialbe for one-timers and Kaberle feeding them.
Looking forward to Tuesday night’s game against the Wild and am thinking Toskala might get the start, although I’d much rather see The Monster between the pipes.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
grabo 9-12 on draws again!
November 7th, 2009 at 10:53 pm
WTF has gotten into Grabbo? Love that kid on the draws now.
I hear all three of them work extra after practice on taking them, but it really seems to be paying off for Grabs.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I don’t think Toskala starts until the Leafs lose a game.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Glad to see Komi off the ice actually.. He takes horrible penalties… Along with FB… With one being gone and the other being quiet, we pulled out a strong win… props to finger and JS..
November 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
Oh PS… BB… If you trade Kabby.. you’re an idiot.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:56 pm
oh yeah man Komisarek is horrible. haha. Way passed bedtime.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:57 pm
@ Jordan
The draw was one of his” need to improve” areas and he’s done just that. He also looks a lot stronger and a little bigger this year. You can tell his legs are really strong by the way he skates with them spread apart like a little hoe.
November 7th, 2009 at 10:58 pm
What a great game…..first time this year you could sit back,relax and know we were going to win.
Said it before,goaltending is like pitching and women.Right one can make you,wrong one will break you.Tonight we saw the mirror image to our season`s woes.Os-good wasn`t very.
Gusto is the real deal.His compete level is absurd and you can`t teach size.
Funny,I heard Simpson and Hughson puzzled why the Red Wings were missing the net a lot tonight.It`s called a big,intimidating goalie boys.
Gusto would have got the shut out tonight if he had have stood tall on that breakaway.That`s one small issue I`ve seen with him;he`s in love with the poke check.
Gotta pick your spots with that one in the bigs as he really drops his upper right shoulder as a result.
An easily correctable problem and best done soon before the book gets published around the league.
With a goalie like Gusto,anything is now possible.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
Any points for Gustavssen tonight?
November 7th, 2009 at 11:04 pm
I see that Mitchell got credit for the goal I thought was Kessel’s. I guess he tipped it in, so a goal and an assist for Kessel. Averaging a Point Per Game thus far!!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Leafs win, Habs lose …. good night!
November 7th, 2009 at 11:22 pm
@Jordan
Some people saw him being this good from the beginning…
November 7th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Is anybody missing here?
November 7th, 2009 at 11:30 pm
Bob I think everyone went to the new blog wow that was quick…lol
November 7th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Hm,hm,hm,hm,hmmmmmm…….. “FIRE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
November 7th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
“If a tree falls in the…. ?” Nah, forget about it.
November 7th, 2009 at 11:43 pm
Edward said TEST. Yesterday?
November 7th, 2009 at 11:45 pm
Why did my post to Charlie work on the other thread?
November 7th, 2009 at 11:48 pm
Tim: I’ve been posting all night with no results. But I can read my own posts. Apparently you saw that one. What’s up?
November 8th, 2009 at 12:34 am
@daniel marois
i AGREE, you get the same feeling we had when we first got CUJO…We were a weak team before the arrival of our new goalie, but instantly could compete with anyone with a top notch goalie. You can see now the forwards and D are not afraid to make mistakes as they’ll be backed up….
*
Gus reminds me of Kipersov in Cal when he came from no where and his lanky size and lateral movement and second effort is exceptional. Also he seems to take his mask off after every whistle like Kippersov does to catch a breath and show us what he looks like in case we run into him downtown and recognize he is the #1 goalie for the Leafs….
November 8th, 2009 at 12:50 am
‘THE GOOD:
1 gus is the real deal. Provides the comfort to say “dont worry boys I got your back …”
2 Kessel has speed and stick handling and has got Blake and Michel going
3 Kaberle has got gretzky like vision on the ice
4.The PK and D all look better with better goaltending
5. Grabo is all over the ice like a pinball
6. Orr Primeau WALLIN have gotten used to their roles and are delivering.
7. Finger is proving he should not be in the pressbox any more
The BAd”
1. shenn is losing his ice time as quickly as his confidence.
2. Stajan is sufferring from Kessel taking his offensive ice time away
3. Still have not seen our forwards even ATTEMPT to lie down to block a shot.
4. Beachamin still is not near his best playing ability.
Overall
Good to see us finally win a couple in a row to build off of. Again it all comes down to goaltending ….. it can hide alot of flaws in your game as every mistake your team makes doesnt end up in the back of your net..
November 8th, 2009 at 2:22 am
Ward is out for Carolina (not sure if the cut is serious), i do know however that he’s staying the night at the hospital..i wonder if they’d be inquiring for Toskala’s services if it’s bad? Not that i’m hoping for such detriment, i hope he’s alright.
November 8th, 2009 at 8:56 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 9:30 pm
First of all @ Charlie Wallin has a defensive role, he plays against the others teams good players. He had a good game tonight. Just because he was a -1 doesn’t mean he played bad. Second of all maybe Finger was on for a PP goal? Make sure you think before you talk
Overall we know who played well, but I was impressed with Schenn. Seemed to have a bounce back game after losing a lot of icetime and confidence. Hopefully this helps him get back to the Dmen he was last year.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
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