Toronto Maple Leafs...
I am pumped.
Are there any other Leafs fans here? Their recent play has been nothing less than phenomenal. Tight defence, great pk, solid offence and a killer powerplay. I have mixed feelings regarding Pat Quinn, but the recent shake-up in the lines certainly seems to have been a good decision on his part.
The game tonight against Pittsburgh was absolutely phenomenal, as was last nights match vs. New Jersey. My only quibble with tonight's game was the three minors they took in quick succession with six minutes left in the third, but it was less bad play and more circumstance (Kaberle's delay of game was unfortunate but accidental, the other two while not exactly good I can live with; nobody's perfect, after all) and the pk on all three was phenomenal. When the third period ended in a tie I was sure it was going to go to a shootout, but Kaberle came up big with the game winner.
My criticisms... well, there's not many. The third period saw a lot of penalties, mainly Khavanov, who really needs to control his stick much better. Defensively there were a couple of minor slip-ups and the puck handling wasn't the best I've ever seen, particularly in the first period. However, it's also worth noting that the Leafs did play New Jersey last night and were clearly quite exhausted. Given that, I'd say they turned in a pretty stellar performance.
Tellqvist was simply amazing. I could definitely see him stealing the spotlight after Eddie retires.
On Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby definitely lived up to his hype, Gonchar's goal in the first was simply an incredible shot and Fleury (as always) played a great game. The Penguins did a good job of staying out of the sin bin and generally giving the Leafs a lot of grief on the offensive, but they were definitely flagging. The problem with a club who's been having a slump like theirs is that they tend to become slightly self-defeating; I know for a fact that team is capable of much better play than they put out there tonight. They also seem to be relying on Crosby a bit too much; whether the kid is the next Gretzky or not, he can't take on the opposition single-handedly.
Or that's my amateur opinion anyway.
Anyone else catch the game and care to provide a different perspective? Any Pittsburgh fans want to stick up for their team here?
__________________
I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept
I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head
I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said
- Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame
|