The Maple Leafs are going to win the Stanley Cup! Can't you just hear the Toronto media and the fans this morning?
As I said yesterday, the Maple Leafs are a dangerous team to face. Not because they have an abundance of talent. No, because most "experts" give them little chance of making the playoffs. Therefore, no pressure for the young team and you saw the results last night. They were loose and they played with a reckless abandon that had the Red Wings wondering what hit them.
The Leafs were a force in the Red Wings end of the ice all night. The best defense in the NHL looked ordinary, at best, and confused most of the game as the Leafs swarmed them at every turn.
Add Toskala playing great in the nets and the result was a stunning 3-2 Leafs victory.
Star of the Game: The best player on the ice for both teams was Dominic Moore who led the Leafs forecheck, scored a goal, and played an outstanding game.
Postscript:
About the Leafs and the Stanley Cup, Toronto fans and media should enjoy last night's game and forget all the prognostications about a Cup in the immediate future. Just take one game at a time.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Red Wings - Leafs Kick off The NHL season
Two original six rivals the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs open up the 2008-09 NHL season on this side of the Atlantic Ocean tonight.
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings are everyone's favorite to win the Stanley Cup this year and the Maple Leafs are everyone's choice to miss the playoffs this year.
Although you would think that tonight's game would be a walkover for the Red Wings, don't be too sure! Because no one expects much from the Leafs, the Toronto players have no pressure and that is often the formula for a win when it is least expected!
The defending Stanley Cup Champion Red Wings are everyone's favorite to win the Stanley Cup this year and the Maple Leafs are everyone's choice to miss the playoffs this year.
Although you would think that tonight's game would be a walkover for the Red Wings, don't be too sure! Because no one expects much from the Leafs, the Toronto players have no pressure and that is often the formula for a win when it is least expected!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Luke Schenn - A Leaf for Now!
The Toronto Maple Leafs seem headed to starting their season with youngster Luke Schenn on their blueline.
I can't help but think that this is a bad idea. Sure the Leafs have Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle to mentor him. But, this is the big leagues and players have to be responsible for themselves and with probably the weakest forward unit in the entire NHL in front of him there are going to be many times that Schenn is left exposed and the result will certainly be a goal, but more importantly the result may be a loss of self-confidence in himself.
There are many who think that the Leafs will be eliminated from play-off contention early in the new year. So why expose your future defensive anchor to even nine games in the NHL. The mediocrity may just rub off.
The Leafs should recall what happened to another young can't miss defenseman. Fred Boimistruck first donned a Leaf jersey for the 1981-82 season. That team was just terrible! Boimistruck, Jim Benning and Bob McGill where all youngsters with lots of potential. But after a couple of seasons with the Leafs, Boimistruck a former member of Canada's World Junior team, was out of the NHL and not long later became an engineer with VIA rail.
Sure Benning and McGill had relatively long careers, but they became journeymen defensemen never really living up to their supposed potential.
Whether its only nine games or not, if Luke Schenn has the potential that the Leafs think he does, they should let him watch tomorrow's opener from the stands in Detroit and then send him back to junior.
I can't help but think that this is a bad idea. Sure the Leafs have Pavel Kubina and Tomas Kaberle to mentor him. But, this is the big leagues and players have to be responsible for themselves and with probably the weakest forward unit in the entire NHL in front of him there are going to be many times that Schenn is left exposed and the result will certainly be a goal, but more importantly the result may be a loss of self-confidence in himself.
There are many who think that the Leafs will be eliminated from play-off contention early in the new year. So why expose your future defensive anchor to even nine games in the NHL. The mediocrity may just rub off.
The Leafs should recall what happened to another young can't miss defenseman. Fred Boimistruck first donned a Leaf jersey for the 1981-82 season. That team was just terrible! Boimistruck, Jim Benning and Bob McGill where all youngsters with lots of potential. But after a couple of seasons with the Leafs, Boimistruck a former member of Canada's World Junior team, was out of the NHL and not long later became an engineer with VIA rail.
Sure Benning and McGill had relatively long careers, but they became journeymen defensemen never really living up to their supposed potential.
Whether its only nine games or not, if Luke Schenn has the potential that the Leafs think he does, they should let him watch tomorrow's opener from the stands in Detroit and then send him back to junior.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Pittsburgh Penguins 4 - Ottawa Senators - 3
Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins took only 40 seconds to score their first goal of the new NHL hockey season. But, wait, it was not Crosby or even Malkin bulging the twine, it was Tyler Kennedy.
Martin Gerber, Ottawa's number one goalie, looked anything but number one on that goal and then again on the overtime goal scored by, yep, you guessed it! Tyler Kennedy!
Like the earlier game yesterday (Tampa and the Rangers) turnovers were almost as prevalent as nice passes.
Kennedy's overtime winner came on a turnover from Jason Spezza with only 25 seconds remaining before the shootout.
If this game is any indication of the goaltending situation in Ottawa this year, then the Sens had better start shopping. I have never been a big Martin Gerber fan and yesterday's action gave me little reason to reconsider my thoughts.
Both games played in Europe were less than fine examples of NHL hockey. Turnovers, missed checks and sloppy play seemed to be the order the day. In the Rangers and Bolts game the best players were the two goalies. Lundqvist and Smith seemed to be in mid-season form. Maybe, the time spent flying to Europe, getting over jet lag, etc seemed to leave the teams playing less than their best hockey.
I am sure that from a vacation standpoint the players have enjoyed themselves, but one has to wonder if there will be any impact on their game once the season swings into full gear in a few days
Martin Gerber, Ottawa's number one goalie, looked anything but number one on that goal and then again on the overtime goal scored by, yep, you guessed it! Tyler Kennedy!
Like the earlier game yesterday (Tampa and the Rangers) turnovers were almost as prevalent as nice passes.
Kennedy's overtime winner came on a turnover from Jason Spezza with only 25 seconds remaining before the shootout.
If this game is any indication of the goaltending situation in Ottawa this year, then the Sens had better start shopping. I have never been a big Martin Gerber fan and yesterday's action gave me little reason to reconsider my thoughts.
Both games played in Europe were less than fine examples of NHL hockey. Turnovers, missed checks and sloppy play seemed to be the order the day. In the Rangers and Bolts game the best players were the two goalies. Lundqvist and Smith seemed to be in mid-season form. Maybe, the time spent flying to Europe, getting over jet lag, etc seemed to leave the teams playing less than their best hockey.
I am sure that from a vacation standpoint the players have enjoyed themselves, but one has to wonder if there will be any impact on their game once the season swings into full gear in a few days
Saturday, October 4, 2008
New York Rangers 2 - Tampa Lightning 1
The first game of the new NHL season is over and the Tampa Lightning's young defense served up more turnovers than your local bakeshop.
Mike Smith making his debut as the Lightning's Number One netminder faced 41 shots and turned aside all but two, as his inexperienced defense left him hanging out alone on more than one occasion.
Perhaps he should have stopped Naslund's goal. But, it was his inexperience that allowed Naslund to score using his favorite scoring trick, a shot to the stick side, about 18" off the ice. Next time Smith will probably get that one.
The Rangers's second goal came from a screened shot by Dubinsky. Again a rookie mistake caused a Bolts' defenseman to move into the shooting lane and block his goalie's vision.
But before you think that the defeat was all the fault of the defense, the Lightning forwards seemed to lose their legs in the second period, giving the Rangers plenty of opportunity to pressure the young Tampa defense.
Martin St. Louis scored a nice goal on a backhand high over the Lundqvist in the Rangers net.
Despite all the turnovers and sloppy play there were many bright spots for the Bolts and with a little hard work and patience from the coaching staff, this Tampa team is a playoff team.
ICE CHIPS
Rookie sensation Steven Stamkos did not look out place. In fact, he had two brilliant scoring chances, one on a partial breakaway late in the game. Defensively he was not a liability especially late in the game when it looked like Naslund might make it 3-1, Stamkos moved quickly to bodycheck the Rangers' veteran off the puck just a few feet from the crease.
Mike Smith making his debut as the Lightning's Number One netminder faced 41 shots and turned aside all but two, as his inexperienced defense left him hanging out alone on more than one occasion.
Perhaps he should have stopped Naslund's goal. But, it was his inexperience that allowed Naslund to score using his favorite scoring trick, a shot to the stick side, about 18" off the ice. Next time Smith will probably get that one.
The Rangers's second goal came from a screened shot by Dubinsky. Again a rookie mistake caused a Bolts' defenseman to move into the shooting lane and block his goalie's vision.
But before you think that the defeat was all the fault of the defense, the Lightning forwards seemed to lose their legs in the second period, giving the Rangers plenty of opportunity to pressure the young Tampa defense.
Martin St. Louis scored a nice goal on a backhand high over the Lundqvist in the Rangers net.
Despite all the turnovers and sloppy play there were many bright spots for the Bolts and with a little hard work and patience from the coaching staff, this Tampa team is a playoff team.
ICE CHIPS
Rookie sensation Steven Stamkos did not look out place. In fact, he had two brilliant scoring chances, one on a partial breakaway late in the game. Defensively he was not a liability especially late in the game when it looked like Naslund might make it 3-1, Stamkos moved quickly to bodycheck the Rangers' veteran off the puck just a few feet from the crease.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Roberto Luongo
It took four decades, but the National Hockey League has another goalie who has been named the captain of his team.
Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that Roberto Luongo, the team's superstar goalie would be the club's captain.
With the free agent departure of captain Markus Naslund to the Rangers there had been a lot of speculation about who would wear the "C". Well, according to NHL rules goalies cannot wear the "C", even if they are captain. To meet NHL standards and still make Luongo captain a convoluted process had to be created.
Luongo is the captain, but Willie Mitchell is the player designated to talk to on-ice officials, and for ceremonial face-offs, once again Luongo will not be lumbering to center ice to take the draw, that honor instead will go to Mattias Ohlund, the longest serving Canuck.
Luongo is the seventh goalie in NHL history to captain his club, the last was Canadiens Bill Durnan during the 1947-48 season.
Why Luongo?
There are many reasons. The two most likely are:
-- Luongo is the most popular and best hockey player on the team.
-- With two years left on his contract, the club is hoping this will help them re-sign their only legitimate superstar.
Whatever the reason, I think Roberto Luongo is a great choice for team captain of the Vancouver Canucks.
Tuesday, the Vancouver Canucks announced that Roberto Luongo, the team's superstar goalie would be the club's captain.
With the free agent departure of captain Markus Naslund to the Rangers there had been a lot of speculation about who would wear the "C". Well, according to NHL rules goalies cannot wear the "C", even if they are captain. To meet NHL standards and still make Luongo captain a convoluted process had to be created.
Luongo is the captain, but Willie Mitchell is the player designated to talk to on-ice officials, and for ceremonial face-offs, once again Luongo will not be lumbering to center ice to take the draw, that honor instead will go to Mattias Ohlund, the longest serving Canuck.
Luongo is the seventh goalie in NHL history to captain his club, the last was Canadiens Bill Durnan during the 1947-48 season.
Why Luongo?
There are many reasons. The two most likely are:
-- Luongo is the most popular and best hockey player on the team.
-- With two years left on his contract, the club is hoping this will help them re-sign their only legitimate superstar.
Whatever the reason, I think Roberto Luongo is a great choice for team captain of the Vancouver Canucks.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Pre-Season Thoughts -- Detroit Red Wings & Montreal Canadiens
The 2008-2009 NHL season begins in only a few days. These are tense times in the training camps. Rookies are hoping to fulfill that lifelong dream and start the season in the NHL, while some veterans are clinging to their dream of maintaining a position in the big league.
There will be trades, demotions to the minor professional leagues, and of course there will be many youngsters who will be sent back to their junior club for further seasoning.
Last night’s game between the Canadiens and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings was a good illustration of the situation many hockey teams, not to mention, hockey players are facing this time year.
Forget the score (Montreal won in a shoot-out) of the games that are played this week. Instead, watch the rookies and veterans and try to figure out who is going to make it and who his headed to the minors or back to junior.
Last night, Montreal’s rookies and younger players put on a display of hard work, great plays and, if there were mistakes most of them were the result of someone trying too hard to win a job.
Montreal has loads of young hockey talent. So much talent that some hockey “experts” were suggesting that last night’s game was a match between the Stanley Cup finalists next spring. A little early for such bold predictions don’t you think?
Two of the Canadiens’ youngsters who really shone were goalie Carey Price and Max Pacioretty a young forward who has lots of size, good skating speed and finesse and enough grit that he is not afraid of the corners.
Pacioretty spent most of the game on a line with Alex Kovalev and Robert Lang and did not look out of place with the veterans. Kovalev fed him some nice passes and Lang, although he is not as speedy as most of the Canadiens, he provides them with some much-needed size at the center position.
Detroit, on the other hand, is loaded with veteran talent and with only two roster spots available and at least five youngsters ready to make the jump the NHL, there may be some startling moves on the third and fourth lines before the end of training camp.
With one of the two positions going to free agent acquisition Marion Hossa, Coach Mike Babcock has to find space for some of the young talent.
How can Darren Helm, perhaps the fastest skater in camp and a stellar performer in last year’s Stanley Cup victory not make the team? Newcomer Ville Leino, a 24 year-old star from Finland scored a nice goal on a Montreal turnover last night and every time he was on the ice he made something happen.
There will be tough decisions in the next few days for the Red Wings’ brain trust as there are at least three young defensemen (Derek Meech, Kyle Quincey, and Jonathon Ericsson) ready for the NHL as well.
Oh well, wouldn’t most of the general managers and coaches in the NHL love to have the problems that face Ken Holland and Mike Babcock?
There will be trades, demotions to the minor professional leagues, and of course there will be many youngsters who will be sent back to their junior club for further seasoning.
Last night’s game between the Canadiens and the Stanley Cup champion Detroit Red Wings was a good illustration of the situation many hockey teams, not to mention, hockey players are facing this time year.
Forget the score (Montreal won in a shoot-out) of the games that are played this week. Instead, watch the rookies and veterans and try to figure out who is going to make it and who his headed to the minors or back to junior.
Last night, Montreal’s rookies and younger players put on a display of hard work, great plays and, if there were mistakes most of them were the result of someone trying too hard to win a job.
Montreal has loads of young hockey talent. So much talent that some hockey “experts” were suggesting that last night’s game was a match between the Stanley Cup finalists next spring. A little early for such bold predictions don’t you think?
Two of the Canadiens’ youngsters who really shone were goalie Carey Price and Max Pacioretty a young forward who has lots of size, good skating speed and finesse and enough grit that he is not afraid of the corners.
Pacioretty spent most of the game on a line with Alex Kovalev and Robert Lang and did not look out of place with the veterans. Kovalev fed him some nice passes and Lang, although he is not as speedy as most of the Canadiens, he provides them with some much-needed size at the center position.
Detroit, on the other hand, is loaded with veteran talent and with only two roster spots available and at least five youngsters ready to make the jump the NHL, there may be some startling moves on the third and fourth lines before the end of training camp.
With one of the two positions going to free agent acquisition Marion Hossa, Coach Mike Babcock has to find space for some of the young talent.
How can Darren Helm, perhaps the fastest skater in camp and a stellar performer in last year’s Stanley Cup victory not make the team? Newcomer Ville Leino, a 24 year-old star from Finland scored a nice goal on a Montreal turnover last night and every time he was on the ice he made something happen.
There will be tough decisions in the next few days for the Red Wings’ brain trust as there are at least three young defensemen (Derek Meech, Kyle Quincey, and Jonathon Ericsson) ready for the NHL as well.
Oh well, wouldn’t most of the general managers and coaches in the NHL love to have the problems that face Ken Holland and Mike Babcock?
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