The Leafs just came off a big win, then hopped on a plane to go play the team that everyone is picking to finish dead last.

I love my Leafs, but I'm betting the farm they lose tonight. Bigly.
- Atomic Wedgie

Also a good point, I should have bet the farm that they'd lose the season opener to the Habs.

That being said, it feels different this season. I've at least noticed a lot less shenanigans in the d-zone and neutral zone when the Leafs have the puck. Much more north south compared to years past.

Re: Vasi

He definitely seems like he is coasting on reputation a bit. The back issue might be the dividing line that marks his statistical decline. There are moments where we see glimpses of Vezina Vasi, but the consistency is not there.

For many years, the Lightning had two goalies who were money. You were not going to score more than two goals on any given night against Bishop or Vasilevskiy. Injuries derailed Bishop or the Lightning might have beaten Chicago in the SCF (also see Kane's dirty slash on Johnson). And it might be injuries that have finally derailed Vasi, but at least he has two cups and a conn smythe to cry into.

Unless he bounces back to better than average, his contract will finally become an albatross.

And the Lightning have zero depth behind him.

Re: Vasi

He definitely seems like he is coasting on reputation a bit. The back issue might be the dividing line that marks his statistical decline. There are moments where we see glimpses of Vezina Vasi, but the consistency is not there.

For many years, the Lightning had two goalies who were money. You were not going to score more than two goals on any given night against Bishop or Vasilevskiy. Injuries derailed Bishop or the Lightning might have beaten Chicago in the SCF (also see Kane's dirty slash on Johnson). And it might be injuries that have finally derailed Vasi, but at least he has two cups and a conn smythe to cry into.

Unless he bounces back to better than average, his contract will finally become an albatross.

And the Lightning have zero depth behind him.
- GalacticStone

Last year he started mid season, while excuses shouldn't be given to a 9.5M goalie I will give him some slack.

I do think defensively TB is a lot worse these days, they don't help him at all.

The Leafs just came off a big win, then hopped on a plane to go play the team that everyone is picking to finish dead last.

I love my Leafs, but I'm betting the farm they lose tonight. Bigly.
- Atomic Wedgie

It'll be interesting because I think Berube has already started to get their focus. They have been staring on time and the game they took their eyes off the prize, he called a timeout and gave them a harsher reminder than they're used to. The way to get a team into championship mode is to remind them that the details and effort never cease to be important.

The Leafs just came off a big win, then hopped on a plane to go play the team that everyone is picking to finish dead last.

I love my Leafs, but I'm betting the farm they lose tonight. Bigly.
- Atomic Wedgie

Old leafs for sure

Berube leafs? Im hoping not.

Great news for anyone who didn't read the main blog - Ek called Marner a 10-11M dollar player so he shouldn't be getting much of a raise to stay in Toronto.

Re: Vasi

He definitely seems like he is coasting on reputation a bit. The back issue might be the dividing line that marks his statistical decline. There are moments where we see glimpses of Vezina Vasi, but the consistency is not there.

For many years, the Lightning had two goalies who were money. You were not going to score more than two goals on any given night against Bishop or Vasilevskiy. Injuries derailed Bishop or the Lightning might have beaten Chicago in the SCF (also see Kane's dirty slash on Johnson). And it might be injuries that have finally derailed Vasi, but at least he has two cups and a conn smythe to cry into.

Unless he bounces back to better than average, his contract will finally become an albatross.

And the Lightning have zero depth behind him.
- GalacticStone

This is exaclty what Im hoping for.
Although, the lightning always seem to find a way to weasel out of a bad situation

Last year he started mid season, while excuses shouldn't be given to a 9.5M goalie I will give him some slack.

I do think defensively TB is a lot worse these days, they don't help him at all.
- Santo_44

I havent seen the stats, but I dont think their defense is much worse than last year.
Serga, foote, and myers, out - Moser (who's been pretty good), Mcdonaugh in.

But, I do hope their defense becomes complete crap.

Future captain willy a 50 goal scorer this year?
Hot damn, that would be crazy to have two on the same team

In years past this is the type of game where the leafs start out flat, go down 2-0 and come back to win 4-3.

I am hoping with the way Berube has been able to get them to play a certain way consistently, thats not an issue here.

Still a W is likely here for Woll and I can see the leafs playing well in front of him against a bad team.
- Santo_44

Lets see if the Leafs fall to the level play from CBJ.

Future captain willy a 50 goal scorer this year?
Hot damn, that would be crazy to have two on the same team
- Fakepartofme

The Willy haters and doubters can continue slurping on it - that's their raison d'etre.

Lets see if the Leafs fall to the level play from CBJ.
- dmnted

They're gonna blow Columbus apart.

Future captain willy a 50 goal scorer this year?
Hot damn, that would be crazy to have two on the same team
- Fakepartofme

Too bad they'll both fall short of Goal Caufield sustainable pace of 82 goals for the Rocket Richard.

The Willy haters and doubters can continue slurping on it - that's their raison d'etre.
- Zezel

Im not worried about the willy haters, they'll be back in a few years.
But if willy could get 45 goals and marner 100pts and keep it going in the playoffs.
I could see the sales of Ultra absorbing paper towels going through the roof.

Too bad they'll both fall short of Goal Caufield sustainable pace of 82 goals for the Rocket Richard.
- Scabeh

Who?

Who?
- Fakepartofme

Monsieur Octobre

Monsieur Octobre
- Zezel

Hey! I'll have you know he's also a proven playoffs performer!

That one time he made the playoffs.

Hey! I'll have you know he's also a proven playoffs performer!

That one time he made the playoffs.



- Scabeh

That time sucked

That time sucked



- Zezel

Really depends on the point of view, but I get it.

I havent seen the stats, but I dont think their defense is much worse than last year.
Serga, foote, and myers, out - Moser (who's been pretty good), Mcdonaugh in.

But, I do hope their defense becomes complete crap.
- Fakepartofme

I am talking when they were a top 2 team in the league.

Their D core is a middle of the pack one IMO, when they were competing they had a pretty damn good one and with Hedman in his prime.

Really depends on the point of view, but I get it.
- Scabeh

At least Kucherov came out of it happy.

Lets see if the Leafs fall to the level play from CBJ.
- dmnted

Have to break those habits, I think Berube has done a nice job doing that so far.

Looking forward to see how they start tonight.

At least Kucherov came out of it happy.



- Zezel

- Scabeh

Lets see if the Leafs fall to the level play from CBJ.
- dmnted

Keefe's Leafs, for sure. Berube's Leafs? No chance in hell. 6-3 but only because Woll has a mid first game back.