Leafs 8 - Bruins 2 -- Six Points Out
Lack of Caffeine in Beantown?
You have to wonder if the Boston Bruins were physically exhausted after playing their third game in four nights, or quite possibly it was the mentally exhaustion that set in seeing as how they would end this week playing five games in seven nights. Either way, let us make no mistake in giving credit where credit is due, the Toronto Maple Leafs played a great game from the 5 minute mark till the final buzzer, even if it was against a defeated Bruin team.
I can honestly say that for tonight and for the majority of the past month, Matt Stajan proved my account wrong when I wrote he is not a second line center, the fact remains he may not be as far off as I think. While Stajan has a tendency to miss opportunities in front, he gets to those chances, and as his experience grows, so will his strength, timing, and ultimately his finish. His ability to win battles down low and cycle the puck with ease is what makes his game effective, if he can add consistent finishing to what has become a much improved on ice vision, he may indeed be a great two way center much sooner then later. For Stajan to take the leap that Maurice has intended with the big second line minuets and role this season, down this stretch, Stajan needs to step up his consistently in big games, and there haven’t been any bigger games in his career then the next three.
Last night the Stajan, Blake and Tucker line looked as good as a number one line, and Stajan was instrumental in that triumph all game long. First and foremost, breaking up this line as I suggested goes against my continuity rule of building off the strength, familiarity and success that this trio has earned since being aligned. That said, the real issue at hand is when this line is forced to take on checking roles against top flight, speedy, scoring wingers as it was on Tuesday, and as it will again Saturday night unless Maurice and this team is better prepared. I have no worries with Stajan whatsoever defensively, but Blake and Tucker have proved in the past to not be suited for this role as it takes too much away from their strengths offensively. However, with a healthy Tucker, and a comfortable Blake, things can change, and against a team like Jersey, things have to change. If things remain status quo versus the Devils hopefully I am wrong about the team, and the Stajan line have what it takes, to take it to whichever line matches up against them Saturday night.
The Stajan line, Moore centering Wellwood and Ponikarovsky, Sundin to Antropov and Steen round off the Leafs top three lines, in which for better or worse under Maurice is a 3 line team. This leaves the Leafs without a dependable defensive line, but as I said in the last blog, it gives the Maple Leafs lines that are very fast and all have the potential to score. I think it is this potential that Maurice is pushing for seeing as how the roster lost a huge chunk of its physical toughness at the deadline, with what the Leafs lost, *Maurice* added the game plan of absolute speed, along with a roster that should put fear in the opponent that one mistake will cost you a quality scoring chance againts. Consistency is the key to its success; with the next three games being the season, it will be a great test.
Against the Bruins, the Leafs D and team D was strong despite not being overly challenged. There was a hiccup after the Leafs killed a PP, the same hiccup that has occurred all season long after the PK ultimately alters the D pairings. This game it was Kaberle and White who found themselves together after the PK, they misread one another resulting in the first goal against, both D are not accustom to playing with each other and whoever ends up taking the ice, it has to be addressed and corrected by both players and coaches. Aside from that shift, Kaberle was his usual epic self, the guy is a human GPS, he can find anyone with a pass, and he knows just what has to be done to get there.
Brian McCabe found himself back in the familiar territory of a multipoint night, but what hasn’t been the norm is its combination with a solid effort in his own end that he provided tonight, and has done throughout each game since his return from IR. In a 8-2 finish the defensive side of McCabe game could easily be over looked, but he was as good as ever defending the zone last night. McCabe playing at this level is well worth, even a bargain at 5.75 million compared to new contracts, no doubt about it.
Honourable mention goes to Toskala for being Toskala, as well as to the entire team for rebounding after a strong but unsuccessful effort versus the Devils. Keeping in mind this team has had a tendency of getting too high in confidence after a big win, everything must be kept in perspective with tonight’s win, as the Leafs should attack each game a game at a time.
You have to wonder if the Boston Bruins were physically exhausted after playing their third game in four nights, or quite possibly it was the mentally exhaustion that set in seeing as how they would end this week playing five games in seven nights. Either way, let us make no mistake in giving credit where credit is due, the Toronto Maple Leafs played a great game from the 5 minute mark till the final buzzer, even if it was against a defeated Bruin team.
I can honestly say that for tonight and for the majority of the past month, Matt Stajan proved my account wrong when I wrote he is not a second line center, the fact remains he may not be as far off as I think. While Stajan has a tendency to miss opportunities in front, he gets to those chances, and as his experience grows, so will his strength, timing, and ultimately his finish. His ability to win battles down low and cycle the puck with ease is what makes his game effective, if he can add consistent finishing to what has become a much improved on ice vision, he may indeed be a great two way center much sooner then later. For Stajan to take the leap that Maurice has intended with the big second line minuets and role this season, down this stretch, Stajan needs to step up his consistently in big games, and there haven’t been any bigger games in his career then the next three.
Last night the Stajan, Blake and Tucker line looked as good as a number one line, and Stajan was instrumental in that triumph all game long. First and foremost, breaking up this line as I suggested goes against my continuity rule of building off the strength, familiarity and success that this trio has earned since being aligned. That said, the real issue at hand is when this line is forced to take on checking roles against top flight, speedy, scoring wingers as it was on Tuesday, and as it will again Saturday night unless Maurice and this team is better prepared. I have no worries with Stajan whatsoever defensively, but Blake and Tucker have proved in the past to not be suited for this role as it takes too much away from their strengths offensively. However, with a healthy Tucker, and a comfortable Blake, things can change, and against a team like Jersey, things have to change. If things remain status quo versus the Devils hopefully I am wrong about the team, and the Stajan line have what it takes, to take it to whichever line matches up against them Saturday night.
The Stajan line, Moore centering Wellwood and Ponikarovsky, Sundin to Antropov and Steen round off the Leafs top three lines, in which for better or worse under Maurice is a 3 line team. This leaves the Leafs without a dependable defensive line, but as I said in the last blog, it gives the Maple Leafs lines that are very fast and all have the potential to score. I think it is this potential that Maurice is pushing for seeing as how the roster lost a huge chunk of its physical toughness at the deadline, with what the Leafs lost, *Maurice* added the game plan of absolute speed, along with a roster that should put fear in the opponent that one mistake will cost you a quality scoring chance againts. Consistency is the key to its success; with the next three games being the season, it will be a great test.
Against the Bruins, the Leafs D and team D was strong despite not being overly challenged. There was a hiccup after the Leafs killed a PP, the same hiccup that has occurred all season long after the PK ultimately alters the D pairings. This game it was Kaberle and White who found themselves together after the PK, they misread one another resulting in the first goal against, both D are not accustom to playing with each other and whoever ends up taking the ice, it has to be addressed and corrected by both players and coaches. Aside from that shift, Kaberle was his usual epic self, the guy is a human GPS, he can find anyone with a pass, and he knows just what has to be done to get there.
Brian McCabe found himself back in the familiar territory of a multipoint night, but what hasn’t been the norm is its combination with a solid effort in his own end that he provided tonight, and has done throughout each game since his return from IR. In a 8-2 finish the defensive side of McCabe game could easily be over looked, but he was as good as ever defending the zone last night. McCabe playing at this level is well worth, even a bargain at 5.75 million compared to new contracts, no doubt about it.
Honourable mention goes to Toskala for being Toskala, as well as to the entire team for rebounding after a strong but unsuccessful effort versus the Devils. Keeping in mind this team has had a tendency of getting too high in confidence after a big win, everything must be kept in perspective with tonight’s win, as the Leafs should attack each game a game at a time.
posted by LEAFER at
8:24 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home