Vincent Lecavalier and Mike Smith led Tampa to a 3-2 victory over a hard checking Toronto Maple Leaf team.
Lecavalier netted 2 goals, one of which came as the result of a fantastic breakaway that ended with a deke that has Toskala still bewildered as to how the Bolts' star could make a move like that.
While Toskala played a great game in the Leafs' net, at the other end of the ice Bolts' goalie Mike Smith was demonstrating all game that not only is he adept at stopping the puck he is also very sharp when it comes to handling the puck. Many times throughout the game the Leafs would shoot the puck deep into the Tampa end, but before they could chase it down or start a forecheck Smith was firing long bombs to his forwards at, or near, the Leafs blueline.
Smith looked every bit the gunslinger, firing pucks all over the ice to his forwards and leaving the Leafs wondering how they could get the puck safely into Tampa's end.
Ice Chips: Of historic note, Bolts super rookie Steven Stamkos, notched his first NHL point with an assist on Lecavalier's second goal of the game.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday Morning Musings
Ottawa Senators Win a game!
Jason Spezza scored 2 and Dany Heatley notched a single to lead the Senators to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
But, more importantly, perhaps, Alex Auld got a victory. This should solidify his status as number one goalie for now.
It has been a strange first couple of weeks for the Senators. Sure they opened in Europe and perhaps they have not found their legs. But the Rangers and Penguins were also across the pond and they have looked pretty good so far this year.
Many point to the defense as the problem. But, I think it is deeper than that. Starting the season with Martin Gerber as the number one netminder just does not make sense. Gerber's track record as a number one goalie is less than stellar. I have always thought that Gerber does not "care enough" about victories. What motivates him, I don't know. But Craig Hartsburg better find out, and in a hurry. The Eastern Conference is just too tough for a late run to the playoffs.
Maple Leafs: I just can't believe that the Leafs are going to keep Luke Schenn around this year. Yes I can! The Leafs have a history of destroying young players and this is just another example of this situation. I sure hope that I am wrong on this count.
But you have to give the Leafs credit on the ice. I warned everyone in an earlier post that this team would be dangerous. Ottawa is the latest team to find out too late that Toronto's hard work and discipline combined with low expectations from their opponents has led to some victories.
Tampa Lightning: Early this summer, after some of their great free agent signings I suggested that the Lightning would be a contender. So far, I been proven to be completely wrong. Maybe they should have found a way to keep Dan Boyle. Because right now Tampa's defense looks pretty bad. But things can change, and with the great goaltending from Smith and a strong forward unit, the Bolts can still make my prediction look pretty good.
Tampa could start tonight with a victory in Toronto. All they have do is not take the Leafs too lightly.
Jason Spezza scored 2 and Dany Heatley notched a single to lead the Senators to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
But, more importantly, perhaps, Alex Auld got a victory. This should solidify his status as number one goalie for now.
It has been a strange first couple of weeks for the Senators. Sure they opened in Europe and perhaps they have not found their legs. But the Rangers and Penguins were also across the pond and they have looked pretty good so far this year.
Many point to the defense as the problem. But, I think it is deeper than that. Starting the season with Martin Gerber as the number one netminder just does not make sense. Gerber's track record as a number one goalie is less than stellar. I have always thought that Gerber does not "care enough" about victories. What motivates him, I don't know. But Craig Hartsburg better find out, and in a hurry. The Eastern Conference is just too tough for a late run to the playoffs.
Maple Leafs: I just can't believe that the Leafs are going to keep Luke Schenn around this year. Yes I can! The Leafs have a history of destroying young players and this is just another example of this situation. I sure hope that I am wrong on this count.
But you have to give the Leafs credit on the ice. I warned everyone in an earlier post that this team would be dangerous. Ottawa is the latest team to find out too late that Toronto's hard work and discipline combined with low expectations from their opponents has led to some victories.
Tampa Lightning: Early this summer, after some of their great free agent signings I suggested that the Lightning would be a contender. So far, I been proven to be completely wrong. Maybe they should have found a way to keep Dan Boyle. Because right now Tampa's defense looks pretty bad. But things can change, and with the great goaltending from Smith and a strong forward unit, the Bolts can still make my prediction look pretty good.
Tampa could start tonight with a victory in Toronto. All they have do is not take the Leafs too lightly.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A Hockey Team for Toronto
Another NHL team in Toronto, Please!
It must have been a slow news day in Toronto. The Globe & Mail broke a story that the NHL was contemplating putting another team in the Toronto area.
Does anyone think that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the owners of the Leafs, is going to allow another team into their market. NEVER! They might have to offer competitive ticket prices and, come to think of it, a competitive hockey team.
Nope, sorry Toronto fans, get used to it, there is no way that the Leafs are going to allow another team in their market.
But it is interesting that just about every national news broadcast in Canada covered this story and even regional broadcasts such as CTV's Sudbury channel carried this story.
I wonder what hockey rumor will surface on the next slow news day.
It must have been a slow news day in Toronto. The Globe & Mail broke a story that the NHL was contemplating putting another team in the Toronto area.
Does anyone think that Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the owners of the Leafs, is going to allow another team into their market. NEVER! They might have to offer competitive ticket prices and, come to think of it, a competitive hockey team.
Nope, sorry Toronto fans, get used to it, there is no way that the Leafs are going to allow another team in their market.
But it is interesting that just about every national news broadcast in Canada covered this story and even regional broadcasts such as CTV's Sudbury channel carried this story.
I wonder what hockey rumor will surface on the next slow news day.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Red Wings lose a close one in OT to Canucks
The night started off great if you are a long time Red Wings fan. After all, what could be better than a tribute to Alex Delvecchio the legendary center who played more than two decades in the Motor City.
Unfortunately, the line of Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen were not all that interested in Detroit's storied history. Instead these three Canucks led a buzz-saw attack that once again left the Red Wings defense bewildered and giving up turnover after turnover. What is going on? The Red Wings defense is supposed to be the best in the league, but last night's game and last week's home opener against the pitiful Leafs makes you wonder if they miss Chris Chelios more than anyone realizes.
The Red Wings forwards and powerplay are still something to amaze, but when they run into a great goalie (Luongo) and a pesky forecheck the team as a whole suffers.
But don't blame this loss on Chris Osgood, without him the game would not have gone to overtime, it would have simply been a loss.
Unfortunately, the line of Ryan Kesler, Alex Burrows and Jannik Hansen were not all that interested in Detroit's storied history. Instead these three Canucks led a buzz-saw attack that once again left the Red Wings defense bewildered and giving up turnover after turnover. What is going on? The Red Wings defense is supposed to be the best in the league, but last night's game and last week's home opener against the pitiful Leafs makes you wonder if they miss Chris Chelios more than anyone realizes.
The Red Wings forwards and powerplay are still something to amaze, but when they run into a great goalie (Luongo) and a pesky forecheck the team as a whole suffers.
But don't blame this loss on Chris Osgood, without him the game would not have gone to overtime, it would have simply been a loss.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Maple Leafs Win the Stanley Cup!
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.
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.
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.
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