tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Tuesday’s Thoughts

While wondering if Buffalo is Hockey Heaven what must Hockey Hell be like, here is what's on my mind this morning:

* The Toronto Maple Leafs survived two Rick Nash goals by getting two goals from Phil Kessel in defeating the NY Rangers 4-3 last night at the Air Canada Center. The victory gives the Leafs a six point lead over the Rangers and NY Islanders and a four point lead over the Ottawa Senators. The win ensures that the Leafs would maintain at least a four point lead over the 8th place Rangers if New York wins Wednesday at MSG in the return match against Toronto.

* It's really time for Toronto media and fans to stop the Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf bashing. Kessel has 38 points in 39 games with 12 goals and 26 assists. Kessel has been a playmaker this season and I'm not sure who the Leafs would get to replace him. As far as Phaneuf goes, this guy logs big minutes against the other team's top line. Once again who replaces him.

* The Leafs will have a tough decision to make at the end of the season as it relates to UFA Tyler Bozak. While I believe that Bozak is not a number 1 center, he is an excellent face-off man and has developed his offensive game. The big question, once again, who replaces him. Depending upon the price tag, I think it may make some sense to bring him back.

* The New York Yankees built off the great performance Sunday by CC Sabathia in spoiling the Cleveland Indians home opener with an 11-6 win. Robinson Cano finally broke out of his post-WBC slump going 3 for 4 with 2 home runs. Hiroki Kuroda battled back after a terrible first inning to get his first win of the season.

* The Toronto Blue Jays are struggling early which should come as no surprise to anyone. How often to we see pre-season World Series winners struggle.

* Kudos to Coach Rick Pitino and the Louisville Cardinals for winning the NCAA National Championship. The Cardinals were truly the best team in the tournament and I love the way they play defense. Of course that defensive philosophy has been the trademark of Pitino's coaching career.

* Sunday's road victory over Oklahoma City should hopefully answer the critics that the New York Knicks are for real. Since JR Smith has started to take the ball to the hoop, the Knicks have been very dynamic offensively and their defense has improved dramatically. Smith and Carmelo Anthony have been a Dynamic Duo offensively and Melo has been a force on the offensive backboard. It was also good to see Tyson Chandler back on his game.

* The Rutgers basketball situation is really a disgrace. Being a tough coach is one thing but being a sadistic tyrant is another. Can't see how Mike Rice gets another head coaching job. It's also interesting that we have heard absolutely nothing from any of the Rutgers players.

* Watched the Sabres-Devils game on Sunday night which was on the NBC Sports Network and realize that why I can't stand watching Sabre games is Rick "Pork Chop" Jenneret and Rob Ray. Without those two babbling, the game was enjoyable to watch.

* Nearly died from laughter when I read a letter to the Buffalo News sports page on Sunday advocating Rob Ray to be the next Sabres Head Coach.

* Did anyone else find Clark Kellogg's screaming at every commercial break annoying?? Seems like CBS asked all of their broadcast teams to try to imitate Dick Vitale. Unfortunately for CBS, there is only one Dickie V.

* And finally, how long will it take for the gasbags at GR550 to turn on Kevin Kolb??