Despite the fact that we got physically dominated by LA that was a good game by the boys last night. If we could have capitalized on one of our PP's we could have got a point... also, it would be nice if our top line would get there heads out of their bums on the opening shift of the game... frank... and they almost let another in in the first shift of the 2nd period!

Hopefully Leo will be back soon. Looked like he screwed his shoulder up...

One thing is for sure about LA. They hit first and look for the puck later...

Bozak's ES numbers are already in the sewer. He's a useful PK guy and has done decently well 5v4, but ES his stick is where plays go to die.
- lumlums

New centre depth chart:
Kadri
Holland
Bozak

Anton Stralman.

He was right you know.

Despite the fact that we got physically dominated by LA that was a good game by the boys last night. If we could have capitalized on one of our PP's we could have got a point... also, it would be nice if our top line would get there heads out of their bums on the opening shift of the game... frank... and they almost let another in in the first shift of the 2nd period!

Hopefully Leo will be back soon. Looked like he screwed his shoulder up...

One thing is for sure about LA. They hit first and look for the puck later...
- Hockey_Reverend

preach it dawg

better D generally means lower scoring games. maybe this Leafs team is the exception to the rule, like Chicago, but i don't see it, especially not with a lack of quality down the middle.
- DoubleDown

Of course it does

The key is that whether we are defensively sound or absolutely abysmal, the other teams defense is likely to be constant. Just gotta make sure that we commit to smart hockey.

Yes indeed. To put this down to just how the Leafs played while ignoring that there was another VERY good team out there actively trying to stop them is for me a bit short sighted. Shots were fairly even and it was nice to see some commitment to defense.
- lumlums

I think the counterpoint that's being put forward is simply that it's naive to think this team's offensive is a given in a new 'committed to defensive' type of system. Lets all watch for a month or two and see how Phil, Bozie, et al. perform.

New centre depth chart:
Kadri
Holland
Bozak
- twiztedmike

Should we fire Nonis and re-hire Burke?

Should we fire Nonis and re-hire Burke?
- twiztedmike

I'm in... for the press conferences alone... I'm in!

yeah stupid #1 should have had a shutout..... only in toronto do we complain when the goalie only lets in 1 goal...
- jribout

No what I'm saying is giving up an early goal is killing the Leafs. They nearly gave up another one to start the 2nd period. Sometimes the team just doensn't seem ready to go, sometimes Bernier and sometimes both. It's a problem that needs to be fixed. If everyone was ready to go off the hop last night it's a 0-0 tie and into overtime and the Leafs walk away with at least one badly needed point.

Bozak's ES numbers are already in the sewer. He's a useful PK guy and has done decently well 5v4, but ES his stick is where plays go to die.
- lumlums

The sewer has greater depths yet. Lets all pray.

I think the counterpoint that's being put forward is simply that it's naive to think this team's offensive is a given in a new 'committed to defensive' type of system. Lets all watch for a month or two and see how Phil, Bozie, et al. perform.
- The Law

Of course, they're being coached differently so the play will change. My point is that how a team approaches the defensive zone play doesn't necessarily have to change how they approach their o-zone play. The best teams are ones who play good, strong, defensively strong hockey coupled with smart, fluid offensive hockey that plays to their forward's strengths. If that's grind, then sure. If it's a bit looser, fine, just make sure that you're ready to get your ass back and cover if needed.

The sewer has greater depths yet. Lets all pray.
- The Law

No what I'm saying is giving up an early goal is killing the Leafs. They nearly gave up another one to start the 2nd period. Sometimes the team just doensn't seem ready to go, sometimes Bernier and sometimes both. It's a problem that needs to be fixed. If everyone was ready to go off the hop last night it's a 0-0 tie and into overtime and the Leafs walk away with at least one badly needed point.
- Cush29

LA doesn't play that way... so you can't assume 0-0. LA can choke out a lead better than any team in the NHL. anyway it's pretty tough to blame your goalie when he gives up 1 goal.

I'll agree to disagree. I didn't think it was unwatchable whatsoever
- TheThrill

It was for me as I feel asleep.

Better D does not instantly mean worse offense, the key is to get everybody back into the zone, engaged and committed to getting the puck back, and THEN skating out with control of the puck. Do it right and there's no reason why offense should be sacrificed. Sure this wasn't a great offensive game, but its one game against the champs. Nobody should be extrapolating from this game to the season; it will be somewhere between this and the Columbus game...
- lumlums

When you have a tight knit D, you can transition the puck out of your own end with more effectiveness, thus leading to more offensive rushes.

LA doesn't play that way... so you can't assume 0-0. LA can choke out a lead better than any team in the NHL. anyway it's pretty tough to blame your goalie when he gives up 1 goal.
- DoubleDown

Agreed. It sucks that there often seems to be one going in early, but you still have 59 minutes left to deal with it. For me if we play like that versus other teams, (a) we will get more shots as not many other teams play the D that LA does, and (b) we will likely get enough goals to be competitive. Whether it's an offensive fireworks show, or just the equivalent of one guy running around holding a match, what I want to see is smart, winning hockey, and I've seen more towards that these past three games than in any from the rest of the season...

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

My guess is that this is the kind of game that Shanny wants the team to play even though he realizes they may not have the right players to win with this style. The rest of the season is an assessment to see what players can and will buy in. Horachuk must know that he will be assessed more on getting the team playing this style than on laming playoffs

Of course, they're being coached differently so the play will change. My point is that how a team approaches the defensive zone play doesn't necessarily have to change how they approach their o-zone play. The best teams are ones who play good, strong, defensively strong hockey coupled with smart, fluid offensive hockey that plays to their forward's strengths. If that's grind, then sure. If it's a bit looser, fine, just make sure that you're ready to get your ass back and cover if needed.
- lumlums

It's not about d-zone v. o-zone …it's more about playing as a 5 man unit in all 3 zones …and the neutral zone may be the biggest change for the Leafs forwards.

Kessel, Bozie, Kadri, Lupul, JVR …they all gain a lot of offense from stepping out of the d-zone 'quicker' than most. They do it b/c it allows them space to skate it into the o-zone. Now they have to stay low and deep and the zone exits will be tougher, more work, and the entries will involve more forechecking and battles.

I'm expecting some significant growing pains.

Agreed. It sucks that there often seems to be one going in early, but you still have 59 minutes left to deal with it. For me if we play like that versus other teams, (a) we will get more shots as not many other teams play the D that LA does, and (b) we will likely get enough goals to be competitive. Whether it's an offensive fireworks show, or just the equivalent of one guy running around holding a match, what I want to see is smart, winning hockey, and I've seen more towards that these past three games than in any from the rest of the season...
- lumlums

yeah they're probably the worst team to have that happen against...

Anton Stralman.

He was right you know.
- AdamFrench

about what?

My guess is that this is the kind of game that Shanny wants the team to play even though he realizes they may not have the right players to win with this style. The rest of the season is an assessment to see what players can and will buy in. Horachuk must know that he will be assessed more on getting the team playing this style than on laming playoffs
- Canada Cup

I agree, I was pointing out that we have seen this top six for a few seasons, they can't grind out goals consistently, it was always off the rush which is going to suffer playing this way.

Out of the top six, Kadri can play gritty and adapt to this style, imo.

about what?
- zazzle

Everything

Should we fire Nonis and re-hire Burke?
- twiztedmike

Please god NO!!!!!!!

Please god NO!!!!!!!

- hagar58

if nonis had 2 free buyouts he'd likely use them on JVR and Polak