Eklund: Are the favorites in the North in trouble after Game 1 losses

Eklund: Are the favorites in the North in trouble after Game 1 losses
- Eklund

that Pens -Isle game

Tampa Florida is the series to watch right now! Absolutely amazing hockey being played in that series!

The Leafs loss comes down to two things; loosing JT, and having a slow rookie D-man on the third pairing/first PP.
In future games the Leafs can absorb the loss of JT, but 10 minutes in and with emotion involved, having to shuffle lines around in-game to accommodate the loss is much more difficult.
Sandin is a disappointment for me, but I saw this coming. He has good awareness, agility and puck skill but he lacks speed. As we saw last night speed is important in D-man. Both Habs goals were the result of a slow D-man not being able to keep up with a forechecking forward. This happen multiple times in his short stint last season as well.

Smith let in 2 goals, one that was a fluke double deflection. How was he the problem? Or did you look at the 4-1 boxscore and come up with that idea?

Bigger problem is the refs put their whistle away. McDavid was mauled all game and the lethal Oilers powerplay only got one chance. They aren't a very good 5-on-5 team but buried teams on the PP. But McDavid rarely has two awful games in a row. He'll bounce back today.

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Losing one game does not put you in trouble. If they win next game series is tied. If they lose again then I would say they are in trouble.

Whats that saying you say all the time EK "The team that needs to win, usually always does".

Tampa Florida is the series to watch right now! Absolutely amazing hockey being played in that series!
- Bob Habib

100%. Best series going.

Whats that saying you say all the time EK "The team that needs to win, usually always does".
- Tom Dusome

He says there's more coming later, but that is never true. He always says Malkin is getting traded so he can, "be the guy", but that doesn't happen either. Lots of things he says...

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Losing one game does not put you in trouble. If they win next game series is tied. If they lose again then I would say they are in trouble.
- xShoot4WarAmpsx

You're never in trouble until you lose at home.

The Leafs loss comes down to two things; loosing JT, and having a slow rookie D-man on the third pairing/first PP.
In future games the Leafs can absorb the loss of JT, but 10 minutes in and with emotion involved, having to shuffle lines around in-game to accommodate the loss is much more difficult.
Sandin is a disappointment for me, but I saw this coming. He has good awareness, agility and puck skill but he lacks speed. As we saw last night speed is important in D-man. Both Habs goals were the result of a slow D-man not being able to keep up with a forechecking forward. This happen multiple times in his short stint last season as well.
- TroyTech

Sandin does need to work on his foot speed, but aside from Reilly, I don't think anyone else dressed on D would have caught the skater on the second goal.

The first goal was poor coverage / sloppy play by all 5 skaters. Emotion of losing the captain and a new line combo. It happens.

This is a game that should have been in the bag with the PP chances they had, which of course continues to disappoint. Am I a dinosaur in my thinking that they're being too cute with the puck and just need to get some more shots on net and go for tips and rebounds? At least it would be something different. These chances from the outside aren't working.

that Pens -Isle game




- Alexzanki

Eklund: Are the favorites in the North in trouble after Game 1 losses
- Eklund

Edmonton is in trouble because they're asking 2 players to win a series for them. and that doesn't work in hockey. Toronto not so much. but losing Tavares is huge and if Price stays on his game, it's not going to be as easy as most people predicted. but they're still a clear favourite to win this series.

Good for Southern hockey this year so far.

Sandin does need to work on his foot speed, but aside from Reilly, I don't think anyone else dressed on D would have caught the skater on the second goal.

The first goal was poor coverage / sloppy play by all 5 skaters. Emotion of losing the captain and a new line combo. It happens.

This is a game that should have been in the bag with the PP chances they had, which of course continues to disappoint. Am I a dinosaur in my thinking that they're being too cute with the puck and just need to get some more shots on net and go for tips and rebounds? At least it would be something different. These chances from the outside aren't working.
- leafsfann

They aren't designed for that kind of play. You have to be physical to stay in the crease area or it's vicinity. There's no Tim Kerr, Todd Bertuzzi, Joel Otto, or even Dave Andreychuk on this team.

Teams with players making 10+ million have never won a playoff series.

He says there's more coming later, but that is never true. He always says Malkin is getting traded so he can, "be the guy", but that doesn't happen either. Lots of things he says...
- MisterBrown

My favorite is the low-hanging fruit he provided about how he turned down Shania Twain's advances because he's a family man.

Edmonton is in trouble because they're asking 2 players to win a series for them. and that doesn't work in hockey. Toronto not so much. but losing Tavares is huge and if Price stays on his game, it's not going to be as easy as most people predicted. but they're still a clear favourite to win this series.
- DoubleDown

Not anymore. Too many perimeter players, no one to be a net front presence. They're like some useless narcissistic provincial bureaucrats who have an over-inflated opinion of themselves. The kind who call others racist when they themselves exemplify every trait of the erstwhile plantation master who resents any free man that confronts their preconceived notions.

My favorite is the low-hanging fruit he provided about how he turned down Shania Twain's advances because he's a family man.
- BeadyEyedDouche

f ing classic

Tampa Florida is the series to watch right now! Absolutely amazing hockey being played in that series!
- Bob Habib

I hope it goes seven and nobody comes out of it healthy

Teams with players making 10+ million have never won a playoff series.
- jpl0219

Are you saying it's scientifically impossible to do so?

Not necessarily the opening I'd go for, but I definitely emphasize with the sentiment.
- MisterBrown

With a name like "MisterBrown" I'm not so sure I believe you, sir!

Are you saying it's scientifically impossible to do so?
- mjones242

Just stating a fact. Its never happened.

With a name like "MisterBrown" I'm not so sure I believe you, sir!
- mjones242

Jonesy... You dirty dog

There are NO favorites In the North.