27 Game Mark, The First Period of the Season is Over.
DEFENCE
It is clear to say, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen just about everything from this team, the only exception, winning consistently. This keeps me wondering if the Leafs should continue to be playing our best puck movers on D, rather then the guys that give us the best defensive presents in our own zone. The past two games say I am wrong, but we can not forget the stretch of 6 before that, the struggles to start the season, and where the Leafs failed last season. Only by continuing to win now and win consistently in the near future will waiting on the puck movers be a move that pays off.
In wake of the injury to Kubina, coaching has worked this 6 man unit into a 5 man rotation, and it has worked for the past two nights. Kronwall, being the 6th, Woz the 5th, playing only when the lines were rolling with no stoppages. That exhibits strong coaching.
Although on repeated occasions, the Defence have shown an inability to regain their 5on5 shape after a PK or PP. Intentionally or not, players jumping from the left to right side of D or vice versa during a game does take from a players comfort level, especially one that is fragile. It has cost the Leafs the game in Dallas, and has been the cause of confusion on each occurrence since.
With the depth this team has at forward and the successful puck possession it can generate, I can better understand why Maurice would want to use White, this team has played well pushing forward, rather then relying on sound defence. White has a good sense of when to take the puck from blueline to blueline, it draws penalties, and has been good way to access the zone with a good dump.
It will be interesting to say the least what changes will be made with the possible return of Kubina and Colaiacovo. That said, I feel more attention should be given to Kronwall, and his ability to do the same things White can do, and more. While bringing much to the table, White's consistant knock has come with an inability to step up and protect the defensive blueline, defensive zone coverage when hemmened in, pinning an oppenent in the corner, protecting the front of the net, and the inability to move the puck safely in the face of a strong pressured forcheck.
In the last game, it should be noted due to the incredible consistency in which it has continued to occur, in the final minutes of the 3rd, Malkin, exactly like Ilya Kovalchuk the night before, went right after White taking the blueline and the offensive zone to boot, it resulted in a penalty against and the Pens went on to make it a 1 goal game. In his limited time on the ice Kronwall was a thorn in Malkin’s side. Once off the rush with a quick poke check, and another shift with hard work and good marking behind the net.
FORWARDS
The Leaf forwards were again dominant for the third consecutive game; the return of the injured has solidified the depth. Since they started to roll, they never really put their D in any danger, so much of the game was played in the Pens zone, similarly to Thursday night in Atlanta and long ago, that 3-0 win vs Ottawa.
Due to injury, and continuing with the Maurice system, coaching has decided to stack as much talent into the top three lines. With the depth available to choose from, I feel that running 3 lines is a disservice to the team for couple reasons.
Sundin. While I am a firm believer that this guy has the power and strength to play as great as he is till 45 (think Salming), looking back to last season, Sundin’s goal drought showed what can happen when the captain is overused. This guy needs and the team need to be fresh and at their best year round, running 4 strong lines is the best way to do that.
Antropov. Stacking the lines means Nik will undoubtedly be on the top unit, thus taking him away from the center position. As good as he is to Sundin and the top unit, this guy is a talent that can play at both ends of the ice very well. His size, reach and smarts makes him a perfect fit to lineup against a top scoring line, to not only shut them out, but score a couple on them in the process. Antropov`s only knock has been with his lack of success with faceoff`s, however, since he began tying up sticks and kicking the puck back before going to the wing, I havnt seen Antropov lose a draw. Sundin is good enough to score on his own, its a long season that needs 4 strong lines.
You would have to think Maurice wants Bell at center, the coach revealed this diabolical plan again when shifting Bell’s role in the final period of the Penguins game. One could only hope it was done to continue to give timing and strength back to Poni’s injured muscle. Because putting Bell into a position that asks a tremendous amount of a player mentally, may not be what he needs after missing the first 15 games. He is that dominant a winger, and alongside Sundin would be a great fit.
Stajan, Steen and Devereaux. Easily the most improved line on the team. These three showed flashes of this brilliant last season, this year they have been able to showcase that same defensive talent while sustaining it for three full periods versus the opponents top line. So far Stajan has answered every critic and established himself as a key contributor to this team. Steen has shown a new dynamic to his game, his patient play in his own zone has handcuffed many offensive minds to create turnovers. Devo has been Devo, can you dig it?! This line along side an Antropov line would shut the offensive down of any strong 2 scoring line teams.
GOALTENDERS
I’ll be short and sweet. I fear that again Maurice has not learned from his mistakes of last season. Last year, he picked his guy from the start of the season and rolled with him. It didn’t work last year, early this season when Raycroft showed signs of life and comfort, not to mention better numbers then Toskala, he was shown the pine on more often then not. I was hoping to have both goalies at this point of the season rolling fairly along, this hasn’t been the case and as a result of the confidence shown in him by the coach only Toskala is left standing today.
Raycroft deserved a better chance from his coach to lead this team, especially after what was asked of him last season, taking on such a work load for the first time with a new team would be difficult to say the least. With Toskala playing well at the moment this does not pose a problem, but if needed, lets hope Raycroft is not ruined as a Leaf if called upon again.
MY LINEUP FOR GAME 28- sitting golds for this one
DEFENCE
15 - 24 (Offensively)
25 - 44 (Defensivly)
56 - 3 (Strategically)
PP
15 - 24 (whole 2min)
56 - 44 (if needed)
PK
25 - 44/53/ 3
FORWARDS
11 13 9
16 42 55
18 80 23
22 14 10
PP
80 13 23/9
16 42 55
PK
14 10
22 80/13/18
TENDER
1
It is clear to say, fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs have seen just about everything from this team, the only exception, winning consistently. This keeps me wondering if the Leafs should continue to be playing our best puck movers on D, rather then the guys that give us the best defensive presents in our own zone. The past two games say I am wrong, but we can not forget the stretch of 6 before that, the struggles to start the season, and where the Leafs failed last season. Only by continuing to win now and win consistently in the near future will waiting on the puck movers be a move that pays off.
In wake of the injury to Kubina, coaching has worked this 6 man unit into a 5 man rotation, and it has worked for the past two nights. Kronwall, being the 6th, Woz the 5th, playing only when the lines were rolling with no stoppages. That exhibits strong coaching.
Although on repeated occasions, the Defence have shown an inability to regain their 5on5 shape after a PK or PP. Intentionally or not, players jumping from the left to right side of D or vice versa during a game does take from a players comfort level, especially one that is fragile. It has cost the Leafs the game in Dallas, and has been the cause of confusion on each occurrence since.
With the depth this team has at forward and the successful puck possession it can generate, I can better understand why Maurice would want to use White, this team has played well pushing forward, rather then relying on sound defence. White has a good sense of when to take the puck from blueline to blueline, it draws penalties, and has been good way to access the zone with a good dump.
It will be interesting to say the least what changes will be made with the possible return of Kubina and Colaiacovo. That said, I feel more attention should be given to Kronwall, and his ability to do the same things White can do, and more. While bringing much to the table, White's consistant knock has come with an inability to step up and protect the defensive blueline, defensive zone coverage when hemmened in, pinning an oppenent in the corner, protecting the front of the net, and the inability to move the puck safely in the face of a strong pressured forcheck.
In the last game, it should be noted due to the incredible consistency in which it has continued to occur, in the final minutes of the 3rd, Malkin, exactly like Ilya Kovalchuk the night before, went right after White taking the blueline and the offensive zone to boot, it resulted in a penalty against and the Pens went on to make it a 1 goal game. In his limited time on the ice Kronwall was a thorn in Malkin’s side. Once off the rush with a quick poke check, and another shift with hard work and good marking behind the net.
FORWARDS
The Leaf forwards were again dominant for the third consecutive game; the return of the injured has solidified the depth. Since they started to roll, they never really put their D in any danger, so much of the game was played in the Pens zone, similarly to Thursday night in Atlanta and long ago, that 3-0 win vs Ottawa.
Due to injury, and continuing with the Maurice system, coaching has decided to stack as much talent into the top three lines. With the depth available to choose from, I feel that running 3 lines is a disservice to the team for couple reasons.
Sundin. While I am a firm believer that this guy has the power and strength to play as great as he is till 45 (think Salming), looking back to last season, Sundin’s goal drought showed what can happen when the captain is overused. This guy needs and the team need to be fresh and at their best year round, running 4 strong lines is the best way to do that.
Antropov. Stacking the lines means Nik will undoubtedly be on the top unit, thus taking him away from the center position. As good as he is to Sundin and the top unit, this guy is a talent that can play at both ends of the ice very well. His size, reach and smarts makes him a perfect fit to lineup against a top scoring line, to not only shut them out, but score a couple on them in the process. Antropov`s only knock has been with his lack of success with faceoff`s, however, since he began tying up sticks and kicking the puck back before going to the wing, I havnt seen Antropov lose a draw. Sundin is good enough to score on his own, its a long season that needs 4 strong lines.
You would have to think Maurice wants Bell at center, the coach revealed this diabolical plan again when shifting Bell’s role in the final period of the Penguins game. One could only hope it was done to continue to give timing and strength back to Poni’s injured muscle. Because putting Bell into a position that asks a tremendous amount of a player mentally, may not be what he needs after missing the first 15 games. He is that dominant a winger, and alongside Sundin would be a great fit.
Stajan, Steen and Devereaux. Easily the most improved line on the team. These three showed flashes of this brilliant last season, this year they have been able to showcase that same defensive talent while sustaining it for three full periods versus the opponents top line. So far Stajan has answered every critic and established himself as a key contributor to this team. Steen has shown a new dynamic to his game, his patient play in his own zone has handcuffed many offensive minds to create turnovers. Devo has been Devo, can you dig it?! This line along side an Antropov line would shut the offensive down of any strong 2 scoring line teams.
GOALTENDERS
I’ll be short and sweet. I fear that again Maurice has not learned from his mistakes of last season. Last year, he picked his guy from the start of the season and rolled with him. It didn’t work last year, early this season when Raycroft showed signs of life and comfort, not to mention better numbers then Toskala, he was shown the pine on more often then not. I was hoping to have both goalies at this point of the season rolling fairly along, this hasn’t been the case and as a result of the confidence shown in him by the coach only Toskala is left standing today.
Raycroft deserved a better chance from his coach to lead this team, especially after what was asked of him last season, taking on such a work load for the first time with a new team would be difficult to say the least. With Toskala playing well at the moment this does not pose a problem, but if needed, lets hope Raycroft is not ruined as a Leaf if called upon again.
MY LINEUP FOR GAME 28- sitting golds for this one
DEFENCE
15 - 24 (Offensively)
25 - 44 (Defensivly)
56 - 3 (Strategically)
PP
15 - 24 (whole 2min)
56 - 44 (if needed)
PK
25 - 44/53/ 3
FORWARDS
11 13 9
16 42 55
18 80 23
22 14 10
PP
80 13 23/9
16 42 55
PK
14 10
22 80/13/18
TENDER
1
posted by LEAFER at
1:17 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home