Last night's game against Tampa Bay was Kessel's debut, and boy was the game a disappointment. The Leafs did a lot of things right, but once again overtime proved to be their kryptonite. Kessel was a star last night with 10 shots on goal. Yet he still was held off the scoresheet and left the game a -1.
Leafs Nation held their breath after watching Ohlund's devastating hit on Kessel early on in the game, which sent him to the dressing room temporarily. The hit obviously didn't affect his game, as he went out the next shift and was just as effective. However, I do have a critique of Wilson that I touched on yesterday and have to talk about again today. Stajan is not a first line center and cannot keep up with the other two. I am not denying the fact that Stajan is highly skilled and has a desire to win, but he just can't keep up with Kessel and Blake on that first line.
Once again Kulemin did not get it done yesterday, having many chances to score without any finish. Sending him down to play with the Marlies would open up some room for Bozak whose speed, passing and vision would be paramount to Kessel and Blake's goal production. Although Stajan can move the puck, he would be more effective with players his speed and caliber.
Overall last night was an exciting game to watch with a disappointing finish. The Leafs outshot the Bolts, they kept Stamkos off the scoresheet and for only the 3rd time this season kept the opposing team scoreless on the power play. Still however, the defense was sloppy in the defensive zone. Gustavsson played yet another fantastic games with outstanding lateral movement but is still struggling with rebound control. It is up to the defensemen to clear those rebounds out from in front of the net, which was not being done last night. Thankfully the Bolts were held to only one goal in regulation but that is only because a good defense is a better offense.
What separates the Leafs last night from the Leafs in mid-October is the amount of play that took place in the offensive zone. The Leafs have finally been able to get the puck down low in the offensive zone and set up. This is largely because of the speed of John Mitchell, Jason Blake and Phil Kessel. If the Leafs continue to set up deep in the offensive zone, the other team will be forced to take penalties like Tampa Bay did last night. It's painful to watch Leafs lose night after night but even the biggest Habs fan cannot deny the improvement in the Leafs play. Soon, if they improve their play in their defensive zone by being more attentive to detail in front of the net they make take an overtime win or even a couple in regulation.
The Leafs really need to take advantage of their simpler schedule this month, with games against Tampa, Minnesota, Carolina, Florida and the Islanders. Other than the Capitals and Chicago, every team the Leafs play in November are possible to beat. Even the 2009-10 Red Wings and the struggling Calgary Flames.
2 comments:
like the blog bone.
one thing i dont agree on though is Stajan. i think matt is perfect for kessel. he's not as fast, true, but if you watch his game, he is one of the smartest players on the ice. he knows where to be and can set up a play, he can get the puck to a scoring chance, he can get the puck to kessel. he cant finish, but kessel can. keeping him with kessel will soon turn stajan into the captain we've been waiting for. he works hard and wins battles in the corner.
my problem lies with blakie. in my mind he cant do shit. hes fast yes, but he has no clue what to do with the puck when he has it. he usually circles around the net and soon after gets laid out or squeezed out and then he's not back to cover. hes not strong enough to play on a first line against first line dee, kessel will never see the puck. his speed may keep him up with kessel, but his game needs to modify, he's still playing old school hockey.
if i could run the leafs my way, blake would be a third liner again, or a wing for grabo, maybe, maybe. first line should be kessel, stahlberg, and stajan. or throw stempi in there. what happened to him after the blues? kessel would definitely bring out his game. i like that alot actually. stahlberg has hands and a LOT of speed. he doesnt see the ice as well, but those three could really work something out im sure. he would learn alot with stajans experience and kessels unreal skills. i just think blake doesnt have his head right, that rebound off kessels shot that trickled past the net? should have been a goal if blake actually fucking stopped at the post like he shouldve, he over skated the play and ended up behind the net when the rebound was basically in the blue paint.
leafs played real well yesterday, so many chances, and as you mentioned; no stammer threat. monster made prime saves. we just need to get out of this OT crap, maybe score the first goal. who knows.
go leafs.
always play the monster.
playoffs are happening.
-hoag
I have a lot against the Stalberg Stajan Kessel line.
Stalberg - your criticism of Blake can be applied just as easily to Stalberg. He can't play against 1st line defensemen. That was proven by his injury from Volchenkov's hit a couple games ago. He has the speed for the NHL but he doesn't have enough experience against good NHL defensemen.
The great thing about Stalberg is that he has hands and an eye for the net. So still, Stajan is left behind. I don't know how Blake stood out as bad vs the Bolts and Stajan didn't. He wasn't a part of most plays and was just trying to keep up with the puck. Stalberg is a good winger on the 2nd or 3rd line but 1st is a bit much.
Stajan - it pains me that you mentioned Stajan as the Leafs captain while Kaberle is leading the NHL defensemen in points. I feel as though until Schenn develops as our future captain, the only player on the Leafs roster who deserves the C is Kaberle. None of our free-agent signings with the 'A' have shown what they can do but Kaberle has.
Although I like the idea of Stempniak put in offensive situations, I have the same problem with him as I do with Stajan. He isn't up to first line caliber.
There has been a line-up change that seems plausible as of today. Johnny Mitchell has been moved up to replace Matt Stajan. This is smart on Wilson's part because he can skate the puck in at Kessel-like speed and set the puck up down low. He also doesn't have any goals but has 5 assists. Seems like a good match. I still would like to see Bozak in the line-up but this would be a good 2nd choice.
Thanks for the comment!
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