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farzamk · 10-14-2007, 10:06 AM

Leafs need some serious change in their discipline and defense.

**BE-LEAF-ABLE** · 10-14-2007, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey84

Toskala is playing great. He is really getting the short end of the stick with regards to his stats not making him look good but his glove hand is much better than Raycroft's and so far this season he is giving the Leafs the big save(s) when they need it most. Raycroft really didn't seem to give us that extra save to win a close game.

On a side note. It's getting quiet in here. Pretty unusual since I joined in 2004.

So true. Toskala has played very well, and it's not his fault. His stats don't reflect his play, that's why people have to watch the games for themselves, rather than take a glance at his stats and close the case.

Stats do matter, but there are certain cases like this where stats can't describe enough how a game went.

52 Shots against?! Holy spit!

That's almost a shot against per minute!!!

I don't know which was worse: The results after his great performance last night (6-4 loss), or the results after his great performance against the Hurricanes earlier on in the week (7-1 loss). I mean, he was spectacular and they still got blown out.

On a side note: Congrats to Jason Blake. Glad to see him finally put one in.

**BE-LEAF-ABLE** · 10-14-2007, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Toskala left shell-shocked

Leafs goaltender peppered with 52 shots as team defence disappears against Penguins
By LANCE HORNBY, SUN MEDIA

Vesa Toskala wandered on to a firing range last night.

When the shooting stopped, 52 pucks in all, the Maple Leafs' new goaltender had his skin, but few wits about him in giving up five goals to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 6-4 loss.

In what is becoming a dangerous repitition when Toskala starts, the Leafs team defence drops its shield and takes too many penalties. Combined with Tuesday's 7-1 loss to Carolina, he has been torched for 12 goals in two games on 91 shots. Pittsburgh's barrage --only defenceman Rob Scuderi failed to get at least one shot -- was one shy of the most on the Leafs in two years. That game, a 5-4 win over Boston, went to overtime and a shootout with Ed Belfour in goal.

"What do you say to the kid after that?," asked Leafs' exasperated coach Paul Maurice.

Sorry doesn't cut it, though Toskala and the Leafs deserve credit for holding the fort through the first six Pens' advantages. With seven minutes to play, Darcy Tucker was nailed for knocking a bouncing puck over the glass and Sidney Crosby supplied the winner.

Poor guy - He has my sympathy. He didn't stand a chance, but the Toronto media is going to tear him up even though it was clearly not his fault anyway. Same can be said for that blowout loss to Carolina.

I think that this says it all about this team.

Quote:

Toskala said he hadn't seen that many shots in a game since he played for San Jose's farm team in Cleveland.

CANOE -- SLAM! Sports - Hockey NHL - Toronto - Toskala left shell-shocked

Things need to change.

mikey84 · 10-15-2007, 08:54 PM

I'm surprised Raycroft got the start tonight in Buffalo.

Currently 1-0 Leafs after 1 period. Raycroft has been excellent so far keeping the Leafs in the game.

So far Stajan has 7 pts in 7 games and is a +5 or something like that. Has Stajan been reading Tyler's comments and turned his game around?

Briere48 · 10-15-2007, 09:02 PM

Raycroft is definitely the factor which has kept the Leafs from being 2 or 3 goals down. Kudos to him! Such a high tempo game tonight.

TylerDCA · 10-15-2007, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikey84

So far Stajan has 7 pts in 7 games and is a +5 or something like that. Has Stajan been reading Tyler's comments and turned his game around?

Nah. Stajan still won't muck in the corners and isn't much of a defensive forward as people were suggesting. Again I will say that he plays the same game as a Spezza or Datsyuk but with less skill.

There was a video on SN a few days ago talking about this being the time to trade Stajan. I disagree with that, but I still think this team needs some defensively skilled forwards.

TylerDCA · 10-15-2007, 10:11 PM

This team sucks SOOOO bad.

There is no character on the team. They will collapse every time they get the chance.

mikey84 · 10-15-2007, 10:12 PM

I knew you would still keep your stance on Stajan

. Antropov is really playing well offensively. Although the team defense isn't so great tonight. Raycroft has really been bailing the team out. Leafs don't play with the lead very well.

Man I gotta stop looking at the real time scoring off nhl.com cause my sopcast feed is a few minutes behind. It was 2-0 Leafs and NHL.com says 3-2 Leafs