I dont know about you guys, but I certainly didnt mind that loss. Kypreos can go fly a kite about his comments...I'd rather see that type of hockey. They keep this up and things will start to bounce in their favour.
- Colin_Dambrauskas

kyper

back when guys from mens league could make the NHL

its been 3 games and they have been tightening up more each one.

we all know leafs can play a run and gun system and score goals; thats a given.

grind into their system the D part of the game and eventually they will find what works for them and start scoring some goals but at the same time playing a good 200ft game, thats what its all about.
- Lucas Neilson

well... they're not really good at the run n gun thing... isn't that why Carlyle was fired?

I knew I liked you for a reason BigD
- Colin_Dambrauskas

i didnt see the game, so i cant say whether or not it was boring

i just feel if they can improve that D part of their game - with the F talent they have the goals will eventually come.

draw a couple penlaties from working hard and capitalize.

well... they're not really good at the run n gun thing... isn't that why Carlyle was fired?
- DoubleDown

well... they're not really good at the run n gun thing... isn't that why Carlyle was fired?
- DoubleDown

oh they can score lots of goals DD

there is a reason they are top 3 in the NHL with goals for

the issue is goals against.

run and gun = goals
but it also means giving up a ton of chances

is it too late to change it? maybe, i dunno.

Cant disagree more Lou. They need to accustom themselves of this style, and when they do, they'll find the back of the net while not giving up 54 shots against and allowing 3-10 goals scored. Just need to find that happy medium.
- Colin_Dambrauskas

Agreed. We also have to remember that we were against one of the strongest teams in the league who are better at d than us, While also the biggest and heaviest team out there. We play with that commitment to D against almost anyone in the east and we have a good shot at leaving with two points.

- Colin_Dambrauskas

TOASTY!

i didnt see the game, so i cant say whether or not it was boring

i just feel if they can improve that D part of their game - with the F talent they have the goals will eventually come.

draw a couple penlaties from working hard and capitalize.
- Lucas Neilson

I didnt find it boring. Was it great? No, not really...but you can tell that they are working on the things that are sorely needed to be improved upon. They pushed the play a few times, but it seemed that the Kings were ultimately bigger and stronger and the Leafs were being worn down. All things considered, it was a close game and when the team gets some confidence back, they might just look like a playoff contender afterall.

I dont know about you guys, but I certainly didnt mind that loss. Kypreos can go fly a kite about his comments...I'd rather see that type of hockey. They keep this up and things will start to bounce in their favour.
- Colin_Dambrauskas

It won't produce wins, they will be even more loses than before, great that the defence is tightening up but now they have to rely on an even higher shooting percentage than was before which was unsustainable at it's current rate.

Kadri has been worse the last three games then he has been all year. Leafs don't have the type of players to play this game, they need players that battle along the boards and grind out a goal, this group can't do that. Is it a good thing? Maybe it will facilitate a change in the off season of players.

kyper

back when guys from mens league could make the NHL
- Lucas Neilson

One of the twitter folks (Stats Sundin if I recall) put it best regarding Healy and Kipper ripping Kessel: "I don't care what two bricklayers say about a surgeon"

Agreed. We also have to remember that we were against one of the strongest teams in the league who are better at d than us, While also the biggest and heaviest team out there. We play with that commitment to D against almost anyone in the east and we have a good shot at leaving with two points.
- lumlums

On a side note, Clifford (frank)ing schooled Bodie (who's way the hell bigger).

I'm not a fan of the goons, personally, but I wouldn't mind a scrappier guy than big Troy. I think Carrick would have been a better scrap

Agreed. We also have to remember that we were against one of the strongest teams in the league who are better at d than us, While also the biggest and heaviest team out there. We play with that commitment to D against almost anyone in the east and we have a good shot at leaving with two points.
- lumlums

It won't produce wins, they will be even more loses than before, great that the defence is tightening up but now they have to rely on an even higher shooting percentage than was before which was unsustainable at it's current rate.

Kadri has been worse the last three games then he has been all year. Leafs don't have the type of players to play this game, they need players that battle along the boards and grind out a goal, this group can't do that. Is it a good thing? Maybe it will facilitate a change in the off season of players.
- LeafMan

Not really. We play an average team like that and we'll do fine. Kings have 2 recent cups for a reason.

One of the twitter folks (Stats Sundin if I recall) put it best regarding Healy and Kipper ripping Kessel: "I don't care what two bricklayers say about a surgeon"
- lumlums

yeah exactly...

thats well put

it's about balance, right? the Leafs committing to defence was always going to affect their offence, which is what you're seeing. seems like they've played some really tight defence last 3 games but with that, scoring has dried up outside of that first period explosion against Columbus. the Leafs goal totals were never about being that good offensively. it was attributable to their style of play. but assuming they keep up this defence first mentality, with their goaltending they should score enough to get their share of wins, especially if their PP continues to click. defence-first is a winning mentality... it's a good start for the Leafs.
- DoubleDown

(frank) that. We just want Kessel to score 40 so we can stop having to hear you bumholes tell us that he's not a 40g scorer. Our goals are a little short sighted.

We lost 2-0 to the Champs in their building, despite giving up a goal on the first shot against...again. They keep playing like this good things will happen.

so apparently Shanahan stated they wanted a good two way player for the top 9
- DougGilmour_93

Jiri Tlusty.

oh they can score lots of goals DD

there is a reason they are top 3 in the NHL with goals for

the issue is goals against.

run and gun = goals
but it also means giving up a ton of chances

is it too late to change it? maybe, i dunno.
- Lucas Neilson

Ya, b/c of their lack of commitment to the d-zone. This team isn't "top 3 in goals for" playing the game properly.

On a side note, Clifford (frank)ing schooled Bodie (who's way the hell bigger).

I'm not a fan of the goons, personally, but I wouldn't mind a scrappier guy than big Troy. I think Carrick would have been a better scrap
- TheThrill

Yeah, it started even then Clifford dug in and went to town. Carrick might have been better for sure.

Jiri Tlusty.
- BINGO!

I wonder what Jamie McGinn would cost from Colorado.

Still on the IR.

Ya, b/c of their lack of commitment to the d-zone. This team isn't "top 3 in goals for" playing the game properly.
- The Law

that's what i was getting at. they're probably a better team if they average half a goal less.

Ya, b/c of their lack of commitment to the d-zone. This team isn't "top 3 in goals for" playing the game properly.
- The Law

my point exactly.

we know they can score..

play a high quality 2 way game and goals will come

jvr, kessel, kadri, lupul all have quality goal scoring abilities..

perhaps right now they are commiting to more of a 200 ft game than they need, but after playing Carlyles poop system for so long - they have to overdue it just so its actually being engrained into their system

its not an overnight thing but i think if the leafs play a better 2 way game the goals will come with these forwards...hell we have gardiner and rielly and phaneuf and franson who are all capable of scoring or increasing chances of scoring.

Jiri Tlusty.
- BINGO!

ROR

We lost 2-0 to the Champs in their building, despite giving up a goal on the first shot against...again. They keep playing like this good things will happen.
- mykokes

It is going to be boring hockey to watch but the goals/shots against will be cut down which is good but as I said, the make up of the forwards on this team will have trouble grinding out goals for wins, they just can't do that. I'm just cautioning everyone that the loses will pile up, for those that think losing is fine for the purpose of tanking, they will be happy with this team.

Defense > Offense

How long have we listened to people harp on the team's defensive shortcomings? AD NAUSEUM for the last 16 years.

They finally tighten up and we still complain? Whatevs.

I liked the game, and would prefer they continue to play that way
- TheThrill

Fixed...