Disappointing Leaf Loss & NFL Picks
What makes last night's 3-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens hard to take is the lack of intensity or better put a lack of desperation on the part of the Toronto Maple Leafs that has many of us in Leaf Nation wondering if this team will make the playoffs. This was a game that was set up for the Leafs and they blew it big time. With 8 of the 9 home games in January having been played, the Leafs are now 5-3. If you look at those three losses, only the loss against the Rangers was a game that the Leafs were totally outclassed. The loss to Ottawa and Montreal were eerily similar: the games were tied going into the third period and the Sens & Habs were playing the second of back-to-back games and in both games the Leafs failed to take hold of the game and grab it.
While the Leafs out shot the Canadiens, it was the Canadiens who had the better scoring chances and if it were not for Jonas Gustavsson the game would not have been tied going into the third period. The Leafs played like this was a game in early April and they were sitting comfortably within the top eight of the Eastern Conference. They showed no determination to do what was needed to win this game, particularly in the third period and you knew that as the game continued tied that this game could slip away and it did. While the games against the Bruins and the 3-0 loss against the Rangers were tough to take, last night's loss may be the worst yet. Even worse than blowing a big lead against the Carolina Hurricanes because last night the Leafs didn't exhibit a desire to do whatever it takes to win.
Brian Burke has said he just doesn't want to squeak into the playoffs but he wanted to be in the playoffs and be competitive. As he put it (and I'm paraphrasing), take a series or two or at least bloody someone's nose. Well, if last night is any indication, this team would be nothing more than cannon fodder for the Rangers or Bruins. It is evident that this team needs a couple of big bodies and it would be good if at least one of them had some playoff experience. I read in the Toronto Star where a Leaf player indicated that in the second intermission they talked about creating traffic in front of Carey Price. Yet, it was to no avail as the Leafs did nothing of the kind in the third period.
As I have said before, the Leafs are simply not good enough to coast and win. They need to utilize their speed and they need to realize that they must do the dirty things like going to the net. Shots from the top of the circle are not worth anything if no one is in front of the net. As this team is currrently constructed, there are very few players who are willing to pay that price. What would be great is if you had a big body with some skill to be paired with Phil Kessel. When Kessel makes a move to the net the defensemen have to move toward him which opens up ice for another Leaf driving to the net. Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak have scored goals like that but in recent games I haven't seen much of it.
With John-Michael Liles, Colby Armstrong and Darryl Boyce due back, it would appear that a move will need to be made. Liles has been missed particularly on the power play and his return will mean that the Leafs will have 8 defensemen. If no trade is made I would suggest that Keith Aulie be sent down and probably Mike Kommisarek goes to the press box. Jake Gardiner must play and Cody Franson deserves to be in the lineup. With respect to the forwards, I believe that Boyce needs to be in the lineup. I think that Colby Armstrong should be put on a line with Kessel and Bozak to hopefully provide some muscle to that line and free some space up. I believe that when Armstrong was in Pittsburgh he was teamed up with Sidney Crosby. I would probably send Joey Crabb back down to the Marlies and I'm not sure who I would sit.
With these players coming back, I believe that a trade is imminent. Burke has to see that this season is slipping away and something needs to change. The Leafs next 2 games before the All-Star break are back-to-back against the NY Islanders. The Islanders have won three in a row and are playing better. These games will not be easy and the way the Leafs have been playing should give Leaf Nation cause for concern. In my mind, they need to win both games and that won't be easy. I guess will find out how desperate this team is to make the playoffs come Monday when the Isles roll into the ACC.
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Last week I was 1-1 bringing my overall record to 34-21. Over the last 14 weeks my picks are 30-13 and in the playoffs I'm 4-1. Of the two conference championship games today, I'm not picking the AFC contest. I think the Patriots will win but I'm concerned about the point spread. So here is my pick for today:
NY Giants (+2 1/2) over San Francisco: The Giants are on a roll and might be the most complete team left in the playoffs. They are facing a 49er team who's defense is one of the best in the league. That being said, Drew Brees torched them last week and Eli Manning has the ability and the weapons to put up some points. The difference will be the Niner offense against the Giant defense. The Saints blitzed big time last week and Alex Smith was able to capitalize on that. The Giants will not need to blitz to put pressure on Smith leaving plenty of guys back in coverage. As a result, the Giants are headed back to the Super Bowl. New York 23 San Francisco 17.
Hockey Night In Canada: Leafs-Canadiens
For the last 44 years on Saturday nights, unless I have something to do that I can't get out of, I'm usually in front of my television set watching the Toronto Maple Leafs on Hockey Night In Canada. As a child, I can remember being extremely upset when on the rare occasion the Leafs were not playing on Saturday night or were on the road and the Montreal Canadiens were on Hockey Night instead. As a Leaf fan in the late 60's and 70's it was tough having to deal with Montreal Canadien fans. The Canadiens always seemed to win. They won multiple championships during that time period, while the closest the Leafs came was reaching the semi-finals in th 1977-78 season only to lose to the Canadiens. Then of course, Punch Imlach came onto the scene and the rest was history.
While for me, HNIC on Saturday night is always a must, when the Leafs play the Canadiens it is always extra special. I'll never forget a game back during the 1967-68 season when the Leafs were at the Forum and playing against a much talented Montreal team. The Leafs played hard and were about to walk away with a well deserved one point as a result of a tie. (this was before a five minute overtime and the ridiculous shoot out). There were 3 seconds remaining and there was a faceoff deep inside the Toronto zone. I was quite pleased at that point. But my happiness soon changed to sadness as the Montreal center won the draw and the puck went back to the point where Canadiens defenseman Jacques Laperierre fired a slap shot that beat Leaf netminder Bruce Gamble and the Canadiens would come away with a 3-2 win. I was devastated. To this day when I hear Jacques Laperierre's name I bristle with anger.
Tonight these two ancient rivals meet again at the Air Canada Centre. The Canadiens are coming off last night's heartbreaking 5-4 shoot out loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins after blowing a 4-2 lead going into the third period. The Leafs last game was Thursday night's 4-1 win over the Minnesota Wild. This is a huge game for the Leafs as they are one point behind the Florida Panthers for the 8th and final playoff spot in the East and only 3 points behind the New Jersey Devils for 7th. On the flip side they are only 2 points ahead of 10th place Winnipeg, who hosts the aforementioned Panthers Saturday night. Because of the rivalry you know this will be a tough one. The Canadiens have saved Carey Price for tonight's game. The Leafs will be going once again with Jonas Gustavsson. Records mean nothing when the Leafs and Canadiens meet but this is a game that the Leafs should win. They are the better team. Just like the Canadiens were in that game during the 67-68 season when Jacques Laperierre scored with less than three seconds left.
The puck drops at the ACC at 7:05.
Leafs Stop The Bleeding With 4-1 Win
The Toronto Maple Leafs were in danger of losing their fourth game in a row heading into Thursday's game against the Minnesota Wild. The Wild had been struggling badly on the road and the Leafs took advantage of that last night by posting a 4-1 win at the Air Canada Centre. Jonas Gustavsson played a solid game in net for Toronto and it would seem that he would be in goal for the remaining two games of the homestand.
Coach Ron Wilson mixed the lines up by splitting Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul and Lupul ended up with 3 assists, the first one 50 seconds into the game on a nice pass to Nazem Kadri. The Leafs led 2-0 and the game was still in doubt until Phil Kessel's power play goal late in the second period put the game away. The Leafs once again were very disciplined only having to kill off one penalty which they did effectively. While the power play only scored one goal on five chances, there was plenty of puck movement and the Wild did a good job of blocking shots.
Joey Crabb scored the Leafs second goal on a beautiful rush toward the net beating the Wild defenseman. Crabb showed a good burst of speed and has really been a nice contributor for the Leafs. Mikhail Grabovski scored the Leafs fourth goal and his line was its usual dangerous self throughout the game. Wilson mixed up the defensive pairings and it seemed to work as I thought the Luke Schenn-Dion Phaneuf pairing provided a physical presence and Schenn seemed to be finishing off checks with authority. It was once again apparent to me that Jake Gardiner is going to be very special player. His skating and passing ability certainly provides an added dimension to the Maple Leafs. He also makes a difference on the second power play unit. Once John-Michael Liles comes back, which could be as early as Tuesday or just after the All-Star break, the Leafs will have eight NHL ready defenseman. I just find it hard to believe that a trade won't happen with the Leafs sending a defenseman as part of the deal. The acquisition of Lupul and Gardiner may be the trade that Leaf fans look back on as being the piece which put the Leafs back into the playoffs.
At the beginning of this month, I stated that the Leafs needed to win at least 6 out of the 9 home games that they had in the month of January if they were to have a good shot to make the playoffs. They are currently 5-2 at the ACC for the month with two games remaining at home: Montreal on Saturday and the Islanders on Monday which is the first of a back-to-back against the Islanders. Tuesday's game vs the Isles will be their last game before the All-Star break. All three games are winnable as both teams are below the Leafs in the standings. However, there are no gimme games for the Leafs. They need to continue to take care of business at home. Arguably they should be 6-1 right now at home for January in that they blew a two-goal lead on Tuesday against Ottawa. Saturday night they face the Canadiens who are playing tonight against the Penguins. The Leafs need to jump on Montreal early. It won't be easy as its Saturday Hockey Night In Canada against their ancient rivals. But if this team is to make the playoffs this is a game they have to win.
The puck drop is 7:05. Leafs-Canadiens on Hockey Night. Can't beat it.
Trade On The Horizon For Leafs??
Last night the Toronto Maple Leafs blew a 2 goal lead and lost to the Ottawa Senators 3-2. What has become painfully evident over the last 2 games is that the Leafs are being outmuscled by teams who happen to be ahead of them in the Eastern Conference. Brian Burke has said that he just doesn't want to make the playoffs, he wants to be a factor in those playoffs. If the Leafs make the playoffs they will not be a factor the way this team's roster currently sits. Along with the lack of muscle, there has been a lack of scoring. Over the last four games, the Leafs have managed to score 6 goals while giving up 9. Their lone win over those four games was as a result of a 2-0 shutout. Now what??
Brian Burke is known for making trades well before the late February trade deadline. He sees what all of us see: a team with skilled forwards who are being banged around. The strategy against Phil Kessel is to make sure you have a big body on him. The Bruins do it and the Rangers did it and unless others step up offensively, you get 6 goals over four games. I honestly believe that we may see two trades made, one for a big scoring forward, hopefully a center and then a bruising forward who has some offensive ability. Think Bobby Ryan and Ryan Malone. The acquisition of 2 such players would immediately make the Leafs a tougher team to play.
Their recent play has put the Leafs in ninth place, behind Pittsburgh and Washington. A prolonged scoring slump could end whatever legitimate chance they have to make the playoffs. The lack of scoring is related to the Leafs being banged around and outmuscled. Something has to be done to save what has been a most promising season. Burke has done it before and I have faith that he will do something again, this time to save a season.
Rangers Get Revenge With 3-0 Win At ACC
There are times heading into a game when you know that the odds might not be looking too good. The Toronto Maple Leafs had defeated the New York Rangers twice at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers were coming off a terrible loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Leafs were coming off a tough 3-2 loss at Buffalo the night before. Well while it didn't look good before the game started it looked worse when the game was over as the Rangers manhandled the Maple Leafs 3-0.
The Rangers banged around the Leaf forwards as if they were pinballs. Toronto was unable to get their speed advantage going as the Rangers bottled up the Leafs, especially the Kessel-Connolly-Lupul line. The Rangers made sure that Kessel was shadowed by a big body all night and leads one to wonder if Brian Burke's pursuit of a big forward will intensify as a result. The only line that had any jump was that centered by Mikhail Grabovski, who has been the best Leaf in the new year.
The Rangers intense and physical forechecking caused the Leafs to cough up the puck on numerous occasions. The one highlight for the Leafs was their penalty killing as they were 100% successful. It's obvious that their more aggressive style has been successful. Success cannot describe the power play unit, firing blanks once again. It's apparent that the loss of John-Michael Liles is really hurting them. I also think that the Leafs need to put an end to a forward on the point with the first power play unit. They either have to rotate three defensemen, Dion Phaneuf, Carl Gunnarsson and Cody Franson, or put Jake Gardiner back in the lineup. It's obvious that the power play unit needs a change.
The Maple Leafs' next four games are at home with Ottawa the opponent on Tuesday night. It will be interesting to see who Coach Ron Wilson will put in goal. Wilson indicated earlier this month that he would play the goalie who was winning and he rode Jonas Gustavsson for the first 4 games of 2012. But, Gustavsson has lost two in a row and in each game there has been a soft goal. In my mind, James Reimer needs to be in goal on Tuesday night. The Leafs need to give the young 23 year-old a chance to take over.
The Leafs need to win 3 out of 4 of these next home games. In fact, these are all winnable games for the Leafs: Ottawa, Minnesota, Montreal and the Islanders. It is important that the Leafs get back on a roll. They have lost two in a row. The playoffs are there for the taking and hopefully the Leafs will grab it.
Four In A Row: Leafs Defeat Sabres 2-0
The Toronto Maple Leafs continued their winning ways by defeating the Buffalo Sabres 2-0 at the Air Canada Centre. The win was the Leafs fourth in a row and may have been one of the team's most defensively responsible of the year. Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski provided the scoring for the Leafs. Grabovski has been on a roll in this four game winning streak scoring 3 goals and registering two assists. Kulemin opened the scoring on the power play and made a nice pass to set up Grabovski's goal. If these two can get going, the Leafs will really be firing on all cylinders and provide them with a great compliment to the Kessel line.
Jonas Gustavsson registered his 2nd shutout in this four game win streak and has been solid in goal. While the Sabres out shot the Leafs, the number of really good scoring chances were limited. However, Gustavsson came up big when he needed to and seems to be gaining in confidence. More importantly, the team seems to be having more confidence in The Monster.
After the first period with a 2-0 lead, the Leafs played a very strong defensive game not allowing the Sabres to get anything going and playing very solidly in their own zone. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that the Leafs needed to play smarter when they had a lead. Last night they did just that. For the second game in a row, they did not allow a power play for their opponent which indicates that they are skating well and being responsible with their sticks.
The fourth line of David Steckel-Darryl Boyce-Mike Brown has also made a difference. They provide energy and are a force when they are on the ice. Steckel was dominant in the face-off circle and Brown and Boyce were excellent on the forecheck. I don't see how the Leafs could send Boyce down to the minors. Since he has been called up, the Leafs have been on a roll.
One of the more gratifying moments last night was the excellent body check by Kulemin on Patrick Kaleta. Kaleta is a joke. I can't recall him ever getting into a scrap with a tough guy. I highly doubt that Pork Chop Jenneret called the hit, a "Carrubba Collision" but it certainly was the best hit of the night. In a Buffalo News article before last night's game, Kaleta talked about being physical against the Leafs but he was hardly a factor.
The Leafs now head to Buffalo for a rematch with the Sabres on Friday night. It will be interesting to see if Coach Ron Wilson will stick with Gustavsson or if he will start James Reimer with a back-to-back situation over the weekend. One could make the argument that he should continue to ride the hot hand and go with The Monster. Whoever starts in goal, the Leafs could really put the hammer down on the Sabres with a win on Friday night. Regardless of that, the Leafs have so far done what they needed to do with this current four game homestand by winning all four games. The wins have pushed them up from outside the top eight to sixth overall in the Eastern Conference. With 5 out of their next 7 games at home, if the Leafs can continue their winning ways at home they should set the stage for a playoff appearance in April
Monster Pitches A Shut Out As Leafs Win 4-0/NFL Playoff Picks
Jonas Gustavsson was in a zone last night, even making a save without his catching glove and a stick, as the Toronto Maple Leafs defeated the Winnipeg Jets 4-0 at the Air Canada Center. Gustavsson looked extremely solid in goal and made some big saves, particularly in the second period. As a whole, the Leafs were pretty much in control of the game from the start. One of the keys to the Leafs last two victories is an aggressive forecheck, utilizing their speed to attack their opponents. This is what they exhibited early in the season and seemed to have been lacking in the month of December.
The Leafs were also able to get some secondary scoring as Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur scored to add on to the goals of Phil Kessel and Tim Connolly. The Leafs specialty teams also contributed as Kessel and MacArthur's goals were on the power play and the Leafs killed off the lone Winnipeg power play. The victory pushed the Leafs back into the top eight in the Eastern Conference. The only downer of the game was watching Dion Phaneuf go off the ice after being hit in the face with a puck late in the third period. Hopefully there are no broken bones and he doesn't miss many games. Coach Ron Wilson stated that Phaneuf's face was very swollen and that the team would know more today. It seems like its quite possible that the Leaf Captain will miss Saturday's game against Detroit.
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The NFL Playoffs begin Saturday and here are my picks:
Houston (-3) over Cincinnati: Texans are at home and their defense should hold down the Bengal offense. Houston 20 Cincinnati 14
New Orleans (-10 1/2) over Detroit: The Lions were in the Superdome this year and the results were not good. Expect more of the same on Saturday night as the Lion defense was torched by Matt Flynn last week and one can only imagine what Drew Brees will do. The Saints are 8-0 as home favorite and 12-4 ATS overall. Saints 38 Detroit 23.
NY Giants (-3) over Atlanta: Falcons are terrible on the road and in their only game against a quality opponent over their last 4 games they were beaten badly. I don't know why but I have a feeling that this Giant team may go on a roll. New York 24 Atlanta 17.
Leafs 5 for 5 On PK, Win 7-3 Over Tampa Bay
Well, it appears that the old adage, "practice makes perfect", rang true last night as the Toronto Maple Leafs killed off all 5 Tampa Bay power plays (including a 45 second 5 on 3) on their way to a big 7-3 win at Air Canada Center. Monday, the Leafs had an intense practice that focused on the penalty kill, blocking shots and an acknowledgement that they needed to be more aggressive and physical. Last night, the Leafs did all of that and it proved to be successful.
Seven different Leafs scored, with two coming on the power play and Joffrey Lupul notched four points with a goal and three assists. But in the end it was all about the penalty killing that has Leaf fans hopeful. There was a marked difference in strategy as the Leafs were aggressive in the neutral zone and were in fact blocking shots. David Steckel and Darryl Boyce played like they were possessed and that is what is needed from your penalty killing unit.
The victory gives the Leafs 43 points, one point behind Washington and New Jersey who occupy the 7th and 8th playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The standings are so tight that the Leafs are only three points behind 5th place Pittsburgh. Last night was a great start to a critical part of the season with 9 of the next 12 games at home. Thursday night Winnipeg comes to the ACC and the Leafs are currently tied with the Jets. Winnipeg plays tonight in Montreal so they will head into Toronto at the end of a back-to-back situation. The Leafs will need to take advantage of that and avenge their loss on New Year's Eve to the Jets.
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Here is what's coming up: Thursday: Recap of my NFL Picks, Friday: Leaf Recap & Playoff Game Picks, and Sunday: Analysis of Mike Holmgren/Tom Heckert's end of the season press conference.
It’s Crunch Time For The Maple Leafs
Heading into Christmas the Toronto Maple Leafs were riding high after defeating the Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders. They were sitting in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and were facing three winnable games after the break: Florida, Carolina and Winnipeg. What an opportunity to solidify their position heading into January and they blew it getting only one point out of a possible six. So as 2012 begins the Maple Leafs will have nine out of their next twelve games at home. Failure to win at least six of those nine home games could prove to be costly if this team is to make the playoffs for the first time since the lockout.
The biggest problem that the Leafs face has been documented over and over again: the inability to kill off penalties. As was mentioned in the Toronto Star yesterday, killing penalties is not a specialty skill. It's about hard work, speed and a desire to do whatever it takes to prevent the other team from scoring while your down a man. The Leafs do not pressure the other team at all. The opposing team's point men have all day to make a pass. How many shots are actually blocked when the Leafs are shorthanded?? If the Leafs are to improve in this area, I would have the following forward penalty-killing units: Joey Crabb/Matthew Lombardi and Darryl Boyce, David Steckel and Matt Frattin, and Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. As far as defensemen go, I would not have Keith Aulie or Cody Franson on the ice for penalty killing purposes. The six forwards I have mentioned need to be aggressive, including in the neutral zone. If the Leafs are going to make the playoffs, they are going to have to improve in this area.
At even strength, the Leafs need to get scoring from the second and third lines. With Tyler Bozak out of the lineup, I would call up Joe Colborne and send Korbinian Holzer back down to the Marlies. I would have Colborne centering Phil Kessel and Joffrey Lupul and put Tim Connolly back on a line with Nazem Kadri and Clarke MacArthur. Connolly-MacArthur-Kadri seemed to be developing good chemistry and taking Connolly off that line I think reduces opportunities for the two wingers. I'm not sure what to do with Matthew Lombardi. If Lombardi can be utilized as a penalty-killer and face off guy, then the Leafs have to determine if Matt Frattin or Joey Crabb have a spot on the roster at this time. If neither one has to pass through waivers, I would probably send Crabb down.
As I indicated last week, Ron Wilson needs to change the team's philosophy when it is up a goal or two in the third period. Defensemen should not be allowed to pinch into the other team's zone. If they do they should be benched for the remainder of the game. An aggressive forecheck by the forwards and clogging up the neutral zone should be the Leaf strategy when up a goal or more late in a game. As a whole, the Leafs need to be more responsible defensively. I also think that once John-Michael Liles and/or Mike Kommisarek comes back that Keith Aulie should be sent back to the Marlies. Aulie has taken a step backwards in my mind and I wonder if his play hasn't also effected the play of Dion Phaneuf. Phaneuf seemed to have good chemistry with Carl Gunnarsson when they were paired together before the Liles injury.
Goaltending hasn't been right since October 22 when James Reimer was knocked out of the game against Montreal. Both he and Jonas Gustavsson have flashed signs of stepping up and providng the Leafs good goaltending. However, both have also exhibited the ability to let in bad goals. In Reimer's case, Glenn Healey and Greg Millen (both former goalies) have made the same observation: Reimer is too deep in his crease. With his size, if he comes up to the top of the blue ice he really cuts down on angles. If Wilson fails to get this team to be more defensive-minded, particularly when protecting a lead, goaltending will have to be better than it has shown. In addition, its been said over and over again, a team's best penalty-killer is its goaltender. If the Leafs are to improve in killing penalties, goaltending must improve.
A bad January would most certainly call into question the job status of Ron Wilson. All of the excuses are gone. This team is now Brian Burke's team. They have obviously showed that they can play 5-on-5 with anybody else in the league, with the possible exception of the Boston Bruins. However, special teams and the inability to win consistently on home ice has been a constant under Wilson. In addition, the notoriously slow starts that this team has is unexplainable. It calls into question Wilson's ability to get his team ready. There is no doubt in my mind that Brian Burke will make a move before the trade deadline. For me the only untouchables on this team would be Phaneuf, Kessel and Lupul. But before Burke is able to make a trade, the Leafs may have squandered an opportunity to make a move in the conference standings. If that happens I feel that Burke would have to make a coaching change. If he doesn't do it during the season, failure to make the playoffs should be enough to remove Wilson as head coach when the season ends regardless of the much bally-hooed contract extension.
Starting Tuesday we will find out what this team is made of and if they are going to turn a bad December into a good January or more of the same losing hockey. The playoffs hang in the balance along with Ron Wilson's job. Stay tuned.
Playoffs!!! You’re Talking About Playoffs???
The Jim Mora quote when he was questioned about his Indianapolis Colts making the NFL Playoffs is a sports classic. Unfortunately for Maple Leaf fans, last night's 4-3 overtime loss to the lowly Carolina Panthers has them asking the same questions. A playoff team doesn't blow a 3-1 lead in the third period, especially against a team that is near the bottom of the National Hockey League.
Immediately there have been calls for Ron Wilson to start Jonas Gustavsson in goal but while James Reimer has had some problems since the end of the Christmas break, goaltending is only part of the problem. The underlying problem is the style of play that Leaf management wants which is basically firewagon hockey. Wilson wants his defensemen to carry the play and pinch in the other team's zone. That's fine when you are down a goal with under two minutes left. It's also fine when you are trying to make something happen. But when you have a two goal lead on the road it's a huge mistake.
The best game that the Leafs played this year on the road protecting a lead was their first game in Madison Square Garden. They had an aggressive forecheck hemming the Rangers in their own end and not allowing them to get any offensive momentum. There were not rushes by defensemen. The Leafs seemed to have forgotten that game.
It is very apparent that the Leafs miss John-Michael Liles. His steadiness, veteran leadership and quarterbacking the first power play unit is something that the team could use right now. Having Liles back would also allow Wilson to sit one of his struggling young defensemen who are having a brutal last week of December.
Do I think this team can make the playoffs??? Yes I do but it has to be more defensively responsible. It also needs to realize that they haven't won anything yet so they need to play hard every shift. Their best players need to be their best players. And James Reimer needs to play like a number one goaltender. By the way, I haven't even mentioned penalty killing but improvement there is a given. At the end of the day making the playoffs will not be easy but it is attainable. What concerns me is whether or not Ron Wilson has the ability to adapt the style of play to the game situation. Not many teams can be successful playing firewagon hockey. Hopefully, Wilson & Company can realize that before it is too late.
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