Dee Karl: Isles @ Leafs? Home Ice Advantage? The first of home and home games with the Leafs.

Lets go leafs!

this home at home going to be crucial if we buyers or sellers.

2 wins against Toronto suddenly changes the landscape.

I really hope Cappy doesnt mess this up by trying to play Nabby both nights. Nabby has been playing great for us and his only losses have come on night when he tired.

I think if Ron Wilson drops two straight to Isles, he going to get fired.

this home at home going to be crucial if we buyers or sellers.

2 wins against Toronto suddenly changes the landscape.

I really hope Cappy doesnt mess this up by trying to play Nabby both nights. Nabby has been playing great for us and his only losses have come on night when he tired.

I think if Ron Wilson drops two straight to Isles, he going to get fired.
- Spartiarti

If that's the case I hope we lose both

Okay, he’s got a way to go before he catches JT

last I checked lupul was in 6th in points and jt was in 12th

If that's the case I hope we lose both
- jimdavis

I GUESS THERE IS NO EARTH SHATTERING NEWS IN TORONTO TODAY HUH? HHMMMM

Okay, he’s got a way to go before he catches JT

last I checked lupul was in 6th in points and jt was in 12th
- jimib

Not after this home and home... JT will be ahead of Lupul!!!

I GUESS THERE IS NO EARTH SHATTERING NEWS IN TORONTO TODAY HUH? HHMMMM
- Isles4fornow

It's raining!!!

Okay, he’s got a way to go before he catches JT

last I checked lupul was in 6th in points and jt was in 12th
- jimib

She ment as far as the 12 game point streak JT is on.

XxNYIxX

Lets go leafs!
- muskiewrangler

If that's the case I hope we lose both
- jimdavis

didn't he get his contract extended?

didn't he get his contract extended?
- Gambi99

Yes......for some reason......doesn't mean he can't be fired though......I think the new ownership will exert more pressure from the top down......

Okay, he’s got a way to go before he catches JT

last I checked lupul was in 6th in points and jt was in 12th
- jimib

are we really comparing Lopul to John Tavares. Lopul was helped by Kessel earlier in year.

Lets see where lopul ends they year. JT is alot more to go and only 21 yrs old.

Suprised some Burke hasnt promised Leaf Nation that he spoke to Tavares and that JT is going to asked to be trade to Leaf on this home at home. Toronto Medai is so comical.

are we really comparing Lopul to John Tavares. Lopul was helped by Kessel earlier in year.

Lets see where lopul ends they year. JT is alot only 21 yrs old.
- Spartiarti

I don't understand what you're trying to say here? I think you accidentally a word.

are we really comparing Lopul to John Tavares. Lopul was helped by Kessel earlier in year.

Lets see where lopul ends they year. JT is alot only 21 yrs old.

Suprised some Burke hasnt promised Leaf Nation that he spoke to Tavares and that JT is going to asked to be trade to Leaf on this home at home. Toronto Medai is so comical.
- Spartiarti

Your terrible spelling aside, Lupul won't just drop the pace he's on since he's played more than half the season like this.. his point production was increasing when he first got traded to the Leafs, it's not like he's a one-hit wonder. What are you talking about with JT and the Leafs? We all know every good player is coming to Toronto *sarcasm*

are we really comparing Lopul to John Tavares. Lopul was helped by Kessel earlier in year.

Lets see where lopul ends they year. JT is alot more to go and only 21 yrs old.

Suprised some Burke hasnt promised Leaf Nation that he spoke to Tavares and that JT is going to asked to be trade to Leaf on this home at home. Toronto Medai is so comical.
- Spartiarti

That was painful to read.

Anyway no one is comparing Lupul to JT because we know who the better player is and will be but you clearly haven't watched many Leafs games if you think he has been helped by Kessel. The guy has been playing some great hockey and has arguably been one of our most consistent players all season.

In regards to the game itself, this is a big one for both teams. Two wins going into the break for both will be a big boost in confidence for either and I expect a big effort from both.

Seems the key for both teams to be successful is to shut down both top lines and limit as many scoring chances and PP time as possible.

Okay, he’s got a way to go before he catches JT

last I checked lupul was in 6th in points and jt was in 12th
- jimib

Tavares doesnt't have Kessel feeding him the puck every which way.

Tavares doesnt't have Kessel feeding him the puck every which way.
- ECHockey20

I'd argue that this season it's actually been Lupul helping Kessel put up better numbers. IMO Lupul has been the better of the two this season.

Lupul and Tavares are two different players. Lupul has finally found his nitch and Tavares will stay in this mold for the rest of his career. After the smoke clears TAvares will have more points in his career. That being said both are really good hockey players and looking forward to the home and home and to see what type of show these two put on

Tavares doesnt't have Kessel feeding him the puck every which way.
- ECHockey20

To be honest- I thought the same way until I watched a few games in the past few weeks. Lupul has made great strides to becoming a better player, and although he's got one of the more talented guys playing alongside him- he definitely merits more respect than what I originally gave him. He's very fast, and has a pretty wicked shot that puts the Kessel/Lupul tandem into the dangerous category for opponents.

That being said, Toronto doesn't drive the net at all. They rely too much on perimeter play, that if they face a solid goalie who will make the first save, they won't put enough pucks in the net. At least that's what I've found in the past few weeks out of a TO team that's starting to struggle.

It's kind of odd for a Brian Burke team, who claims he wants his team to have so much grit and "truculence", that they would lack the net presence or jam in their game to score the dirty goals. Their top players have next to no grit whatsoever- Grabs, Kessel, Lupul, Connolly, etc don't really have a mean streak to them.

Their goaltending is also streaky- so if Reims/Monster lets in a softy or two in a net, and the opposing team does a good job of keeping play to the perimeter and sustaining Kessel/Lups from getting quality shots off- Toronto is a pretty beatable team.

As I have several bets about playoffs and the Leafs with friends- I'm rooting hard for the Isles over the next few days! Go ISLES!

Your terrible spelling aside, Lupul won't just drop the pace he's on since he's played more than half the season like this.. his point production was increasing when he first got traded to the Leafs, it's not like he's a one-hit wonder. What are you talking about with JT and the Leafs? We all know every good player is coming to Toronto *sarcasm*
- Conquest

Like your sense of humor. Why does that always happen. I have a friend who is Habs fan that thinks every NHLer born in Montreal going to go back too. Crosby (pre concussion), Loungo, Broduer. etc.

Like your sense of humor. Why does that always happen. I have a friend who is Habs fan that thinks every NHLer born in Montreal going to go back too. Crosby (pre concussion), Loungo, Broduer. etc.
- Spartiarti

Crosby is from NS - his father was drafted by the Habs and Sid was a Habs fan growing up -

Yes......for some reason......doesn't mean he can't be fired though......I think the new ownership will exert more pressure from the top down......
- jimdavis

There is no way he gets fired after signing an extension on Christmas Day - thereabouts

Like your sense of humor. Why does that always happen. I have a friend who is Habs fan that thinks every NHLer born in Montreal going to go back too. Crosby (pre concussion), Loungo, Broduer. etc.
- Spartiarti

Whether they grew up cheering for the team or not, I'm not sure Montreal is a very attractive destination at all anymore.

The tax implications were one thing that scared away players, but you look at the sideshow that went on (and still continues to go on) in Montreal right now, and you have to wonder what player would want to be part of that?

Montreal might have a pretty tough time getting back to where they once were, and are going to have to rely a LOT on their prospects as opposed to FAs in my opinion.