Leafs 5 - Senators 0 -- Six Points Out
Pace is the trick.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had jump all night long to ultimately jump one point closer to a playoff spot. Darcy Tucker is healthy, he all but flew over the ice while on the initial PK, on his toes all night he was quick to the lanes, but more importantly he got in the way aggressively and blocked shots, hit everything in sight and with authority, and brought each and every teammates to that level right from the get go. McCabe added to that first PK and slide across the crease to block another shot, it added to the tone Tucker established. Complimented by none other then Carlo Colaiacovo, a sliding shot block on the speedy Fisher to take away a scoring chance, he equalled that with the now classic sliding poke check to take away another, Leafs heart and sole guys setting the pace of the game, the Leafs came to play, and the tough gritty aspect may not equate to too many hits versus the speedy Sens, the aspect had this team was willing to dig deep and block shots, each and every one of them. This trend continued throughout the night, Tomas Kaberle was involved in 5 blocked shots, but none better then the one that came with 30 seconds left in the game, preserving Toskalas shutout when caught out of position, Kaberle filled in the crease to block Fishers empty net attempt.
Sundin openings the scoring once again, now firmly entrenched in the Blue and White after Sunday confirming to not waive is “No Trade Clause”. (more on this later) This goal began a great night for the PP, continuity was evident on both units and both units flourished. Wellwood was given an honest shift, and he continued his progress of the last two weeks, skating stronger and with more confidence in his game to be the offensive threat he is. The PP went 3 for 4, and the second unit was just as strong, more importantly they were familiar with each other as the second line 5on5 stayed intact on this PP. After a slow first period, even getting caught for a high stick a minuet and a half into the game, Stajan came out flying in the second. Taking a great feed from Kubina, Stajan remained strong turning up ice and winning the offensive zone through some tight checking, slide the puck to the right wing Blake who in turn found Tucker in the slot, Tucker buried it top shelf, the Leafs came to play, and they were on a level not yet seen this season, what a goal. Stajan had the period of his life, tying a Leafs record with 3 assists in a period. 3 assists while the replay showed he may have gotten a stick on the Kubina wicked snapper from the point.
Vesa Toskala was strong at the start and was heroic right through to the end of the night, night after night he gives this team a chance to win. Playing in his 50th game last night, a career high, his health and stamina and past injuries will be a factor down the stretch, while considering the relationship between Raycroft and Maurice, you would have to think that Toskala will be in net the rest of the year, one would hope that Vesa gets his extra days off if this is the case. Missing a few practices and workouts are important, because Vesa has proved this year already that carrying the entire load is burdensome physically and mentally.
Tucker scored again, and Dominic Moore finished the night for the Sens by sending Emery home early. 5 – 0, more importantly the beating was giving to the top team in the east on a night of galvanisation for he Leafs dressing room. The veterans stepped up and refused to waive their NTC’s, they proclaimed their desire to remain with the Leafs, and each one of them proved it last night, while the rest of the team followed. The look of desire, and work ethic from all the players was a great sight, they turned back the clock and showed me an image of a team that I expected to see at the start of the year, but haven’t seen since Quinn was behind the bench. This team cannot be beat when they play like this, and without showing too much disrespect to Hall Gill, the fact that the Leafs didn’t have to cater to his lack of speed may have had something to do with the quick upbeat on ice presence of this team. That said, it was one game, and more has changed in this room the Gill missing the game. I stand by the my point that Gill is affective, but needs to be playing with knowledgeable players and the right system that understands his deficiencies to take full advantage of his up side. I will keep an eye on this situation.
In other news, I am sadly reporting that Wade Belak was shipped to the Panthers in a move that stinks of Peddie. Silly Peddie (not puddy) had Belak in a contract year, and while the enforcer who put his neck on the line for this organization and team any chance he was tested, Silly Peddie did not agree to his extension, Maurice never gave him a shot, and they all but ruined his career. I say this because I watch every game, and while I am not sure if his attitude was called into question with the coach, I know that this coach never game his a shot to compete and prove his worth on the ice, 3 minuets a night does not cut it, I am very disappointed in the coach and management for not getting this deal done, and losing a very valuable asset that provided aggression and toughness to a team that lacks those intangibles is a great loss, more importantly a long time Leaf has been shipped away for a 5 rounder, it sure doesn’t help the room and strikes a blow to the continuity in the room, heres hoping the pissed attitude only makes the group stronger mentally, I guess we will see on Wednesday, Leafs vs. Panthers.
The Toronto Maple Leafs had jump all night long to ultimately jump one point closer to a playoff spot. Darcy Tucker is healthy, he all but flew over the ice while on the initial PK, on his toes all night he was quick to the lanes, but more importantly he got in the way aggressively and blocked shots, hit everything in sight and with authority, and brought each and every teammates to that level right from the get go. McCabe added to that first PK and slide across the crease to block another shot, it added to the tone Tucker established. Complimented by none other then Carlo Colaiacovo, a sliding shot block on the speedy Fisher to take away a scoring chance, he equalled that with the now classic sliding poke check to take away another, Leafs heart and sole guys setting the pace of the game, the Leafs came to play, and the tough gritty aspect may not equate to too many hits versus the speedy Sens, the aspect had this team was willing to dig deep and block shots, each and every one of them. This trend continued throughout the night, Tomas Kaberle was involved in 5 blocked shots, but none better then the one that came with 30 seconds left in the game, preserving Toskalas shutout when caught out of position, Kaberle filled in the crease to block Fishers empty net attempt.
Sundin openings the scoring once again, now firmly entrenched in the Blue and White after Sunday confirming to not waive is “No Trade Clause”. (more on this later) This goal began a great night for the PP, continuity was evident on both units and both units flourished. Wellwood was given an honest shift, and he continued his progress of the last two weeks, skating stronger and with more confidence in his game to be the offensive threat he is. The PP went 3 for 4, and the second unit was just as strong, more importantly they were familiar with each other as the second line 5on5 stayed intact on this PP. After a slow first period, even getting caught for a high stick a minuet and a half into the game, Stajan came out flying in the second. Taking a great feed from Kubina, Stajan remained strong turning up ice and winning the offensive zone through some tight checking, slide the puck to the right wing Blake who in turn found Tucker in the slot, Tucker buried it top shelf, the Leafs came to play, and they were on a level not yet seen this season, what a goal. Stajan had the period of his life, tying a Leafs record with 3 assists in a period. 3 assists while the replay showed he may have gotten a stick on the Kubina wicked snapper from the point.
Vesa Toskala was strong at the start and was heroic right through to the end of the night, night after night he gives this team a chance to win. Playing in his 50th game last night, a career high, his health and stamina and past injuries will be a factor down the stretch, while considering the relationship between Raycroft and Maurice, you would have to think that Toskala will be in net the rest of the year, one would hope that Vesa gets his extra days off if this is the case. Missing a few practices and workouts are important, because Vesa has proved this year already that carrying the entire load is burdensome physically and mentally.
Tucker scored again, and Dominic Moore finished the night for the Sens by sending Emery home early. 5 – 0, more importantly the beating was giving to the top team in the east on a night of galvanisation for he Leafs dressing room. The veterans stepped up and refused to waive their NTC’s, they proclaimed their desire to remain with the Leafs, and each one of them proved it last night, while the rest of the team followed. The look of desire, and work ethic from all the players was a great sight, they turned back the clock and showed me an image of a team that I expected to see at the start of the year, but haven’t seen since Quinn was behind the bench. This team cannot be beat when they play like this, and without showing too much disrespect to Hall Gill, the fact that the Leafs didn’t have to cater to his lack of speed may have had something to do with the quick upbeat on ice presence of this team. That said, it was one game, and more has changed in this room the Gill missing the game. I stand by the my point that Gill is affective, but needs to be playing with knowledgeable players and the right system that understands his deficiencies to take full advantage of his up side. I will keep an eye on this situation.
In other news, I am sadly reporting that Wade Belak was shipped to the Panthers in a move that stinks of Peddie. Silly Peddie (not puddy) had Belak in a contract year, and while the enforcer who put his neck on the line for this organization and team any chance he was tested, Silly Peddie did not agree to his extension, Maurice never gave him a shot, and they all but ruined his career. I say this because I watch every game, and while I am not sure if his attitude was called into question with the coach, I know that this coach never game his a shot to compete and prove his worth on the ice, 3 minuets a night does not cut it, I am very disappointed in the coach and management for not getting this deal done, and losing a very valuable asset that provided aggression and toughness to a team that lacks those intangibles is a great loss, more importantly a long time Leaf has been shipped away for a 5 rounder, it sure doesn’t help the room and strikes a blow to the continuity in the room, heres hoping the pissed attitude only makes the group stronger mentally, I guess we will see on Wednesday, Leafs vs. Panthers.
posted by LEAFER at
9:17 AM
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