Montréal versus Toronto
The history continues, and the Saturday Night tradition lives on. I will be looking forward to hearing Canadian Gold win the HNIC song challenge, I have been singing that tune all day in my head and it works to get chills down my spine as I think about the battle that lies ahead tonight.
Montreal played last night, and from what I hear, they will be resting Price and Higgins is nursing an injury. It looks as though Montreal is trying to use the Leafs trick in lowering expectations as they sure as hell know they are going to have a battle on their hands tonight.
If the Leafs play the way they did versus the Red Wings of Detroit, they should be able to stymie this D trapping Montreal team. Toronto is now able to match Montréal’s speed, however, the Toronto defense is much stronger and more efficient in their own zone. They will have to be as Montreal has added more scoring to its forward lines and top PP.
Here is the breakdown leading up to tonight.
Antropov to center Ponikarovsky and Blake
Played a solid game, and as Don Cherry noted, they were magnificent in executing the 1-2-2. Antropov was able to pick up many loose pucks as a result of hard and fast fore-checking from both Blake and Poni. It was rare if it happened at all to see this line hemmed in their own zone, they had all the pressure, and in the second half of the game, most notably in the third, this trap began to create scoring chances. The goals will come eventually, but this line is effectively focusing on their defensive game as they know they we be matched against some other top lines and it is the best way to create.
Grabovski to center Hagman and Tlusty
Another good game from this line too. I got to learn a little bit more about Grabovski as he danced around the ice Thursday night. The claim that he is suspect in his own zone is now much clearer to me as a result. In terms of marking his man and staying with his check, Grabovski is very capable, and on two separate occasions was in the right spot to prevent his man from an offensive chance, where he may be suspect is in his desire to stickhandle and deak deep in his own zone, or on his own blueline. This is a difficult problem to correct, as he is very capable of using his trickery in these situations to flew the zone, as he wonderfully shown us during I believe it was his second or third shift on the first period. That said, he did get caught once later in the game. The problem of telling him not to do it may limit his game by limited his talents, though he does need to be aware of when and where he should take these chances. Tlusty was strong as he learns more about his new teammates, he will get better. Hagman was arguably the best player on the ice Thursday night. He was everywhere, he was fast and he was strong. Hagman was winning pucks all over the ice and pushing it up to his two young speedy line mates. Look for more of the same.
Moore to center Steen and Kulemin
Easily the best line on the ice for both teams. I can not remember this line being in their own end at all versus the Wings. They were so effective on the fore-check and in the neutral zone that they obtained puck control every time they stepped over the boards. It was fun to watch a speedy Moore step around Lidstrom during a rush. It was even better watching Steen pressure pucks with success to bring about a strong cycle game down low. Most impressive was the incredible goal scored by Kulemin, a star was born.
Stajan to center Mayers and Mitchell
Stajan was a little disappointing. It is obvious that he is upset at playing a 4th line role, his body language screamed it all over the ice. Little did he know he would get many scoring chances and plenty of time to prove himself that night. Although he just was not into the game. He missed a glorious chance in front on one shift, then again with his second. I was delighted to see that when he did miss the second chance and the puck went quickly the other way, he got on his horse and cleverly lifted the Wings stick to take away a clear scoring chance, that is the Stajan I know and need to see more of if he want to convince me that his should be there over Mark Bell. Stajan too gave a half assed block shot effort by simply lifting his leg; he should have been sprawled out in that shooting lane, another example of how Stajan was not himself. Mayers was good if we can forget about that last penalty he took, but even he looked a little bit nervous, it understandable coming to a new team, especially if that team is your hometown Leafs. Mitchell was strong along the boards, and was effective in his dump-ins and sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Kubina – Colaiacovo
Kubina was perfect, a true D stud out there. Colaiacovo however was a bit shaky. I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I cannot remember seeing him play that ancy before. He was caught out of position of the first draw and I think it got him thinking too much. He had difficulty tying up Holmstrom, but the Wing winger is one of the best in the NHL at standing in front. This is the first time Carlo has ever been in the line-up on the hot seat. He has pressure coming at him from all sides, he knows his spot in not a given and it along with being matched against the other teams top lines will take some getting used to. Late in the game, I seen him use his diving poke check, I was assured that he will come out of this game and get better.
Kaberle – Schenn
Kaberle Perfect. Schenn looked real good too. He fell one shift after he got his first real look at NHL speed while the Wings were down 2 and putting the pressure on. He also had trouble on tying up Holmstrom, but it was the PK, and his positioning will improve against that top flight big wingers.
Van Ryn – Frogren
Hagman was great, Moore was great, but both players showed sparks of that in pre-season. Van Ryn was outstanding versus the wings after not really showing much in the season that doesn’t count. I was astonished in how fast Van Ryn does everything, he is such a smooth skater and with his size he is everywhere on that ice. Easily, Van Ryn was my best surprise of the night, highlighted during his second unit power play work. After the first unit struggled to penetrate the zone due to the Red Wings strong trap, Van Ryn jumped over the boards and took the puck end to end with blazing speed to gain the zone and set of the power play. The guy is fast, the guy is skilled, he’s a player. Frogren was strong too; he set the tone and let everyone around the NHL know exactly just who he is when he flattened the Wings forward in the first period. Strong play in front of his net, not to mention a skilled move to keep the puck in the offensive zone and throwing it on net to earn an assist. It was a great night for the Leafs.
Toskala
Was just what he needed to be. Both goals against, one on the PP occurred with heavy traffic in front, the Leafs D need to improve on clearing traffic, or at least now allow the puck to get through when the keeper can’t see it. Other then that Toskala had an almost perfect game, he was fast going post to post, and trapping dump-ins, his glove and blocker were quick too.
Montreal played last night, and from what I hear, they will be resting Price and Higgins is nursing an injury. It looks as though Montreal is trying to use the Leafs trick in lowering expectations as they sure as hell know they are going to have a battle on their hands tonight.
If the Leafs play the way they did versus the Red Wings of Detroit, they should be able to stymie this D trapping Montreal team. Toronto is now able to match Montréal’s speed, however, the Toronto defense is much stronger and more efficient in their own zone. They will have to be as Montreal has added more scoring to its forward lines and top PP.
Here is the breakdown leading up to tonight.
Antropov to center Ponikarovsky and Blake
Played a solid game, and as Don Cherry noted, they were magnificent in executing the 1-2-2. Antropov was able to pick up many loose pucks as a result of hard and fast fore-checking from both Blake and Poni. It was rare if it happened at all to see this line hemmed in their own zone, they had all the pressure, and in the second half of the game, most notably in the third, this trap began to create scoring chances. The goals will come eventually, but this line is effectively focusing on their defensive game as they know they we be matched against some other top lines and it is the best way to create.
Grabovski to center Hagman and Tlusty
Another good game from this line too. I got to learn a little bit more about Grabovski as he danced around the ice Thursday night. The claim that he is suspect in his own zone is now much clearer to me as a result. In terms of marking his man and staying with his check, Grabovski is very capable, and on two separate occasions was in the right spot to prevent his man from an offensive chance, where he may be suspect is in his desire to stickhandle and deak deep in his own zone, or on his own blueline. This is a difficult problem to correct, as he is very capable of using his trickery in these situations to flew the zone, as he wonderfully shown us during I believe it was his second or third shift on the first period. That said, he did get caught once later in the game. The problem of telling him not to do it may limit his game by limited his talents, though he does need to be aware of when and where he should take these chances. Tlusty was strong as he learns more about his new teammates, he will get better. Hagman was arguably the best player on the ice Thursday night. He was everywhere, he was fast and he was strong. Hagman was winning pucks all over the ice and pushing it up to his two young speedy line mates. Look for more of the same.
Moore to center Steen and Kulemin
Easily the best line on the ice for both teams. I can not remember this line being in their own end at all versus the Wings. They were so effective on the fore-check and in the neutral zone that they obtained puck control every time they stepped over the boards. It was fun to watch a speedy Moore step around Lidstrom during a rush. It was even better watching Steen pressure pucks with success to bring about a strong cycle game down low. Most impressive was the incredible goal scored by Kulemin, a star was born.
Stajan to center Mayers and Mitchell
Stajan was a little disappointing. It is obvious that he is upset at playing a 4th line role, his body language screamed it all over the ice. Little did he know he would get many scoring chances and plenty of time to prove himself that night. Although he just was not into the game. He missed a glorious chance in front on one shift, then again with his second. I was delighted to see that when he did miss the second chance and the puck went quickly the other way, he got on his horse and cleverly lifted the Wings stick to take away a clear scoring chance, that is the Stajan I know and need to see more of if he want to convince me that his should be there over Mark Bell. Stajan too gave a half assed block shot effort by simply lifting his leg; he should have been sprawled out in that shooting lane, another example of how Stajan was not himself. Mayers was good if we can forget about that last penalty he took, but even he looked a little bit nervous, it understandable coming to a new team, especially if that team is your hometown Leafs. Mitchell was strong along the boards, and was effective in his dump-ins and sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Kubina – Colaiacovo
Kubina was perfect, a true D stud out there. Colaiacovo however was a bit shaky. I will give him the benefit of the doubt because I cannot remember seeing him play that ancy before. He was caught out of position of the first draw and I think it got him thinking too much. He had difficulty tying up Holmstrom, but the Wing winger is one of the best in the NHL at standing in front. This is the first time Carlo has ever been in the line-up on the hot seat. He has pressure coming at him from all sides, he knows his spot in not a given and it along with being matched against the other teams top lines will take some getting used to. Late in the game, I seen him use his diving poke check, I was assured that he will come out of this game and get better.
Kaberle – Schenn
Kaberle Perfect. Schenn looked real good too. He fell one shift after he got his first real look at NHL speed while the Wings were down 2 and putting the pressure on. He also had trouble on tying up Holmstrom, but it was the PK, and his positioning will improve against that top flight big wingers.
Van Ryn – Frogren
Hagman was great, Moore was great, but both players showed sparks of that in pre-season. Van Ryn was outstanding versus the wings after not really showing much in the season that doesn’t count. I was astonished in how fast Van Ryn does everything, he is such a smooth skater and with his size he is everywhere on that ice. Easily, Van Ryn was my best surprise of the night, highlighted during his second unit power play work. After the first unit struggled to penetrate the zone due to the Red Wings strong trap, Van Ryn jumped over the boards and took the puck end to end with blazing speed to gain the zone and set of the power play. The guy is fast, the guy is skilled, he’s a player. Frogren was strong too; he set the tone and let everyone around the NHL know exactly just who he is when he flattened the Wings forward in the first period. Strong play in front of his net, not to mention a skilled move to keep the puck in the offensive zone and throwing it on net to earn an assist. It was a great night for the Leafs.
Toskala
Was just what he needed to be. Both goals against, one on the PP occurred with heavy traffic in front, the Leafs D need to improve on clearing traffic, or at least now allow the puck to get through when the keeper can’t see it. Other then that Toskala had an almost perfect game, he was fast going post to post, and trapping dump-ins, his glove and blocker were quick too.
posted by LEAFER at
2:44 PM
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