Ben Scrivens was certainly the soldier the Leafs needed.
On the eve of Remembrance Day, Scrivens churned out an inspired effort, helping the Leafs win 3-2 in overtime against the St. Louis Blues, despite a Blues offence that barraged the Leafs for two-thirds of the game. Despite the steady assault on Scrivens, the Leafs rookie stood tall and stopped all three shots in the shootout to secure the win.
The Leafs raced to a quick start, scoring two powerplay goals in the first period. John-Michael Liles wristed one past a screened Jaroslav Halak from the top of the circle. On another man advantage, Phil Kessel chipped the puck past Halak, adding to his league lead with 12 goals and increasing the lead to 2-0.
From there, the Blues took it to the Leafs.
St. Louis clawed their way back, using their size and strength to hem the Leafs into their zone for sustained periods. Jason Arnott made it 2-1 on the powerplay when he onetimed a nice Pietrangelo feed from the slot. Then, with three minutes to go and the Blues trailing by, the home team pinned the visitors into their defensive zone, leaving Steckel, Lombardi and Fratting gasping for air when the puck finally cleared the zone.
But the Blues were resilient and tied it up when Patrik Berglund jamming the puck at the lip of the crease. The Blues outshot the Leafs 30-8 in the final two frames of the game.
Sufficed to say Scrivens was sharp.
He made several highlight reel saves, including a sprawling arm save on Steen who was wide open at the side of the net. Coming into the game there were major concerns about the goaltending situation and who should start.
With the way Scrivens played tonight, he's silenced the controversy, at least for a little while.
10.11.11
5.11.11
Bruins Pummel Leafs... Again
For all the talk about the Leafs atop the NHL standings, leave it to Tyler Seguin and The Champs to bring them back to earth.
Coming into tonight's game, the Leafs were tied with Pittsburgh Penguins for first in the NHL with 19 points, while the Bruins have been reminded time and time again of their slow start as a result of their Stanley Cup hangover. But it was the Leafs who looked like they had one too many, as their clumsy play left rookie goaltender Ben Scrivens apologizing to the bench. It wasn't his fault -- his teammates simply left him out to dry in a 7-0 routing.
Tyler Seguin buried a beauty onetimer from the dot to make it 1-0 after the Leafs failed to cover passing lanes on the penalty kill -- that's right, another goal against with a man down. Seguin struck again early in the second, followed shortly by Horton splitting the defense and wiring one five hole on Scrivens only seven seconds later. And nothing could be done on Seguin's hat trick goal, a top-shelf beauty after striding past a slow-footed Komisarek.
So while the Leafs should feel good about their start, they are a long way from even being a contender in the playoffs. If there's one thing the Leafs can learn from the B's, it's to step up when they need to most.
A win against the Bruins tonight could have sent Leaf Nation on a frenzy and proved a point to the rest of the league that they could be the real deal. Instead they're left wondering who that slow, uninspired team was that took a beating at the Air Canada Centre. They've reignited the Seguin-Kessel comparisons, even with Kessel's strong start. And they've created nothing short of controversy about their goaltending situation.
One game and the team is slumping. Confidence is fleeting, isn't it?
Coming into tonight's game, the Leafs were tied with Pittsburgh Penguins for first in the NHL with 19 points, while the Bruins have been reminded time and time again of their slow start as a result of their Stanley Cup hangover. But it was the Leafs who looked like they had one too many, as their clumsy play left rookie goaltender Ben Scrivens apologizing to the bench. It wasn't his fault -- his teammates simply left him out to dry in a 7-0 routing.
Tyler Seguin buried a beauty onetimer from the dot to make it 1-0 after the Leafs failed to cover passing lanes on the penalty kill -- that's right, another goal against with a man down. Seguin struck again early in the second, followed shortly by Horton splitting the defense and wiring one five hole on Scrivens only seven seconds later. And nothing could be done on Seguin's hat trick goal, a top-shelf beauty after striding past a slow-footed Komisarek.
So while the Leafs should feel good about their start, they are a long way from even being a contender in the playoffs. If there's one thing the Leafs can learn from the B's, it's to step up when they need to most.
A win against the Bruins tonight could have sent Leaf Nation on a frenzy and proved a point to the rest of the league that they could be the real deal. Instead they're left wondering who that slow, uninspired team was that took a beating at the Air Canada Centre. They've reignited the Seguin-Kessel comparisons, even with Kessel's strong start. And they've created nothing short of controversy about their goaltending situation.
One game and the team is slumping. Confidence is fleeting, isn't it?
13.10.10
Leafs Continue Super Strong Start With 4-3 Win Against Penguins
You can't help but be excited.
The Leafs are now 3-0 after an exciting win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. TSN host James Duthie cheekily mentioned Toronto is at the top of the standings, hardly anything to read into much. Still, it was another character win for the Leafs.
They slayed last year's demons by beating Montreal in the season opener, sent a message to the rival Senators by pummeling them 5-1, and tonight they managed to hold off a win-hungry Pens team who haven't won in their new building yet. Gustavsson was clutch down the stretch, kicking his pad out to stop glorious scoring chances. Although the Leafs had only two shots in the third period, they skated hard until the last whistle. While they've only played three games, the Leafs have earned their stripes, and wear those patches with what to me looks like pride.
I think it's reasonable to be so excited. There's no doubt the Leafs will lose soon, possibly many when all is said and done, but absolutely no one can say that this is the same team from last year. Players like Mike Brown, Colby Armstrong, and Kris Versteeg have added hustle and heart -- suddenly third periods don't seem so bad. It helps when your goalie makes saves.
So far, Burke's additions have been just what the doctors ordered.
A little life blood to go with that truculence.
The Leafs are now 3-0 after an exciting win against the Pittsburgh Penguins. TSN host James Duthie cheekily mentioned Toronto is at the top of the standings, hardly anything to read into much. Still, it was another character win for the Leafs.
They slayed last year's demons by beating Montreal in the season opener, sent a message to the rival Senators by pummeling them 5-1, and tonight they managed to hold off a win-hungry Pens team who haven't won in their new building yet. Gustavsson was clutch down the stretch, kicking his pad out to stop glorious scoring chances. Although the Leafs had only two shots in the third period, they skated hard until the last whistle. While they've only played three games, the Leafs have earned their stripes, and wear those patches with what to me looks like pride.
I think it's reasonable to be so excited. There's no doubt the Leafs will lose soon, possibly many when all is said and done, but absolutely no one can say that this is the same team from last year. Players like Mike Brown, Colby Armstrong, and Kris Versteeg have added hustle and heart -- suddenly third periods don't seem so bad. It helps when your goalie makes saves.
So far, Burke's additions have been just what the doctors ordered.
A little life blood to go with that truculence.
7.10.10
Turning Over A New Leafs Season
We are hours away from the start of the 2010-2011 NHL hockey season and I'm all giddy inside.
But before the city burns after the Leafs' first win, and before we call for Ron Wilson's head after a string of losses, let's reflect on the changes the team has gone through and why this time around, it is not stupid to be optimistic. There are many new faces, but the two biggest changes are attitude and depth.
The Maple Leafs are trying to prove they are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL. Brian Burke vows his pack has a winning attitude -- or as I like to call it, swag. To me, it's not so much the winning attitude as it is their unwillingness to surrender that makes me breathe easier. The Leafs seem to have a never-say-die attitude coming into the season, a stark contrast from the debauchery of a team that essentially let Andrew Raycroft prance around on his old stomping ground and celebrate in triumph despite being up by three goals. The Leafs made him look like he was worth trading Tuukka Rask... but that is another tragedy altogether.
The other area of improvement is organizational depth. I love (hate) it when reader comments say that Burke should be fired because he wasn't able to bring high end offensive talent this year. It stuns me at how shortsighted some people are. First off, you can't make lemonade without the lemons. And you can't buy lemons unless you have assets to offer back. Burke couldn't trade for a top-notch center because we had zero tradeable assets. As the old saying goes, "You gotta give a lil' to get a lil'." The same thing applied for attracting free agents. Players decide to sign with winning clubs. They want to know that the organization they play for is committed to winning and that they will be surrounded by people who can help them do that. A year ago, the Leafs best prospects were free agent signings in Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and now-departed Viktor Stalberg. Today, the cupboard is much fuller with players like Luca Caputi, Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens, Jerry D'Amigo, Marcel Mueller, Keith Aulie. Some signed, others were acquired, and even more were found with the draft picks we DID have. The Bozaks and Gustavssons don't even count as prospects, and they're still quite young. While these players don't immediately help the Maple Leafs, they can help building a winning attitude with the Toronto Marlies. Building from the ground up, that's how it's done.
The Leafs have come a long way. From Stajan, Blake and Ponikarovsky to Armstrong, Kessel and Versteeg; from a team without a leader to Dion Phaneuf, undisputed (though untested) captain of the franchise. From Vesa Toskala to a goalie that stops pucks. Even the fact that Nazem Kadri isn't starting the season with the big club says a lot about the difference a year made.
Whether or not it will pan out this year is a mystery. But you've got to give Brian Burke for trying.
Hockey at last. And here we go...
But before the city burns after the Leafs' first win, and before we call for Ron Wilson's head after a string of losses, let's reflect on the changes the team has gone through and why this time around, it is not stupid to be optimistic. There are many new faces, but the two biggest changes are attitude and depth.
The Maple Leafs are trying to prove they are no longer the laughing stock of the NHL. Brian Burke vows his pack has a winning attitude -- or as I like to call it, swag. To me, it's not so much the winning attitude as it is their unwillingness to surrender that makes me breathe easier. The Leafs seem to have a never-say-die attitude coming into the season, a stark contrast from the debauchery of a team that essentially let Andrew Raycroft prance around on his old stomping ground and celebrate in triumph despite being up by three goals. The Leafs made him look like he was worth trading Tuukka Rask... but that is another tragedy altogether.
The other area of improvement is organizational depth. I love (hate) it when reader comments say that Burke should be fired because he wasn't able to bring high end offensive talent this year. It stuns me at how shortsighted some people are. First off, you can't make lemonade without the lemons. And you can't buy lemons unless you have assets to offer back. Burke couldn't trade for a top-notch center because we had zero tradeable assets. As the old saying goes, "You gotta give a lil' to get a lil'." The same thing applied for attracting free agents. Players decide to sign with winning clubs. They want to know that the organization they play for is committed to winning and that they will be surrounded by people who can help them do that. A year ago, the Leafs best prospects were free agent signings in Tyler Bozak, Christian Hanson, and now-departed Viktor Stalberg. Today, the cupboard is much fuller with players like Luca Caputi, Jussi Rynnas, Ben Scrivens, Jerry D'Amigo, Marcel Mueller, Keith Aulie. Some signed, others were acquired, and even more were found with the draft picks we DID have. The Bozaks and Gustavssons don't even count as prospects, and they're still quite young. While these players don't immediately help the Maple Leafs, they can help building a winning attitude with the Toronto Marlies. Building from the ground up, that's how it's done.
The Leafs have come a long way. From Stajan, Blake and Ponikarovsky to Armstrong, Kessel and Versteeg; from a team without a leader to Dion Phaneuf, undisputed (though untested) captain of the franchise. From Vesa Toskala to a goalie that stops pucks. Even the fact that Nazem Kadri isn't starting the season with the big club says a lot about the difference a year made.
Whether or not it will pan out this year is a mystery. But you've got to give Brian Burke for trying.
Hockey at last. And here we go...
1.4.10
This Year's Cards Are Dealt. Time For A New Suit.
The season isn't over, and I'm already looking forward to the next. When you don't make the playoffs for six years, it happens.
But the Leafs have given me reasons to be excited. I am stoked for the potential defensive pairings. Komisarek and Phaneuf could be a dominant pair if the former plays defensively responsible and the latter finds his lost cannon. Schenn and Kaberle are playing well down the stretch and should have good chemistry by the start of the season... if Kaberle is still with us, which I hope he is. Gunnarson has impressed while Beauchemin has something to prove next year, but like the rest of the corps, these two have been solid since the Olympic break.
I'm cautiously optimistic for our young offense. Optimistic because they play an uptempo brand of hockey that has been missed throughout the years. The likes of Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson and Caputi have all proven they are better offensive threats than ex-Leafs Matt Stajan, Alex Steen and Alex Ponikarovsky. For one thing, it's the feeling. If we're down late in the game, I no longer hope they MIGHT score. I know they CAN. I'm cautious because these are all rookies, and sophomore slumps are a proven fact -- they're as certain as existence. White elite-calibre players like Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty might skip it, more often than not second-year players find it difficult to get the same success as the previous year. You don't have to look farther than Luke Schenn, who only recently got the ACC faithful off his back. Brian Burke needs to plant veteran guys into the line up, or face a bunch of young men with huge confidence issues.
The most exciting change for me is not personnel, though -- it's in the uniform. To understate it, I have a love affair with hockey team jerseys. I love the rich history of bold lines and the simple, recognizable logos of the Original Six; I can't stand the piping on some of the Reebok jerseys, particularly on the digs of the Atlanta Thrashers, Colorado Avalanche, and Buffalo Sabres. They look like floss sewn onto the seams. Anyways, I've been hoping the Leafs organization would hear my plea to add something on the shoulder of the jerseys, much like the ones of the early 1990s. Caputi would be one step closer in emulating his idol, Doug Gilmour, and I would be ever so tempted to buy my fifth Maple Leaf jersey to go with my four Team Canada sweaters.
Overkill? Consider it beefing up the bench.
But the Leafs have given me reasons to be excited. I am stoked for the potential defensive pairings. Komisarek and Phaneuf could be a dominant pair if the former plays defensively responsible and the latter finds his lost cannon. Schenn and Kaberle are playing well down the stretch and should have good chemistry by the start of the season... if Kaberle is still with us, which I hope he is. Gunnarson has impressed while Beauchemin has something to prove next year, but like the rest of the corps, these two have been solid since the Olympic break.
I'm cautiously optimistic for our young offense. Optimistic because they play an uptempo brand of hockey that has been missed throughout the years. The likes of Bozak, Stalberg, Hanson and Caputi have all proven they are better offensive threats than ex-Leafs Matt Stajan, Alex Steen and Alex Ponikarovsky. For one thing, it's the feeling. If we're down late in the game, I no longer hope they MIGHT score. I know they CAN. I'm cautious because these are all rookies, and sophomore slumps are a proven fact -- they're as certain as existence. White elite-calibre players like Steven Stamkos or Drew Doughty might skip it, more often than not second-year players find it difficult to get the same success as the previous year. You don't have to look farther than Luke Schenn, who only recently got the ACC faithful off his back. Brian Burke needs to plant veteran guys into the line up, or face a bunch of young men with huge confidence issues.
The most exciting change for me is not personnel, though -- it's in the uniform. To understate it, I have a love affair with hockey team jerseys. I love the rich history of bold lines and the simple, recognizable logos of the Original Six; I can't stand the piping on some of the Reebok jerseys, particularly on the digs of the Atlanta Thrashers, Colorado Avalanche, and Buffalo Sabres. They look like floss sewn onto the seams. Anyways, I've been hoping the Leafs organization would hear my plea to add something on the shoulder of the jerseys, much like the ones of the early 1990s. Caputi would be one step closer in emulating his idol, Doug Gilmour, and I would be ever so tempted to buy my fifth Maple Leaf jersey to go with my four Team Canada sweaters.
Overkill? Consider it beefing up the bench.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)