Game 10: Technical Difficulties

Anybody want to take over a Leafs fan blog? Just kidding! (Maybe.)

So the Leafs lost 2-0 to New York tonight. At least, I think that was the final score. Near the end, I curled up in the fetal position and closed my eyes for a bit.

Technical difficulties. This is the only explanation I can offer. The Leafs are experiencing technical difficulties and if someone doesn't quickly grab and twist the rabbit ears it could be a long season, one that's filled with test patterns and snowy reception.

I mean, holy hell.

The Leafs managed to direct 71 shots toward the opposition net. That's more than a shot per minute. Unfortunately, Ranger skaters blocked 35 of those shots. And then, well, Henrik Lundqvist stopped the other 36.

But in this barrage of vulcanized rubber, there were some notable exceptions:

• SHOTS ON GOAL BY PHIL KESSEL: 0
• SHOTS ON GOAL BY MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI: 0
• SHOTS ON GOAL BY CLARKE MACARTHUR: 1
• SHOTS ON GOAL BY NIKOLAI KULEMIN: 1

So there was lots of noise but the big guns were silent.

How many games can this team expect to win if Dion Phaneuf and Francois Beauchemin account for 33 per cent of all shots? How many games can this team expect to win if the guy in our net lets in one or two that should have been stopped and the guy in the other net stops one or two that should have scored?

Last question before I return to the fetal position: Is Don Cherry right? Is it time to bring up Nazem Kadri?

UPDATE 11:55 P.M.: Photographer Steve Russell, my friend and colleague, was shooting the game for The Star tonight. He uploaded some great pictures over here.

Comments

[John Chow]

But in this barrage of vulcanized rubber, there were some notable exceptions:

* SHOTS ON GOAL BY PHIL KESSEL: 0
* SHOTS ON GOAL BY MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI: 0
* SHOTS ON GOAL BY CLARKE MACARTHUR: 1
* SHOTS ON GOAL BY NIKOLAI KULEMIN: 1

So there was lots of noise but the big guns were silent.

You haven't seen the game or Smoking something @ ACC?
Just an example:
MIKHAIL GRABOVSKI's backhand on second attempt was covered by Goalie..That is quite a skilled attempt than the 1st goal by Rangers....

Shots has to come from the D's, there is nothing wrong with that, but Forwards should be around the goalie to get 2nd attempts..That is the problems. They blocked 36 shots. If forwards making those shots, who would re-take the blocked pucks? D's took shots, because Rangers clogged the goal line with their bodies, making forwards to carry the puck for shooting/decking/##$.

[Fancy Pants]

Although Don Cherry is crazy when it comes to foreigners, fighting and the military, he makes some decent hockey points once in a while. Such as:

- Shots into the torso area of a goalie are basically not worth counting. Put it top corner or keep it along the ice to create rebounds. I think this makes sense. Hope the Leafs take heed.

- It's time for Nazem Kadri.

[Pyramid Power]

Long live The Don, but not time to bring up Kadri. He is not doing well enough there. Now would certainly be a heckuva time for him to go wild with the Marlies though. If Toronto continues to have technical issues, lol, then bring him up and see what he can do. It can't hurt, and it really is about time to panic.
Time for the guys Toronto has to do their jobs. I am looking at you Mikhail Grabovski, Nikolai Kulemin, Kris Versteeg, Tyler Bozak and others.
And the sooner the better on a deal with our $4 mill in cap space Burkie. Get it done man.
5-4-1 is a good start overall, but after going 4-0 to open the Buds are hurting badly obviously.
Hope they can fight their way outta this. I am not optimistic they can, but ever hopeful.

[A. Pinkerton]

Don Cherry is right! The leafs are back to their old way of playing so you might as well stir things up with a new kid. He could use this time to learn and get a feel for the speed of the nhl. What's the worst thing that's going to happen he turns out to be exactly who the leafs corporation thought he was and they send Kadri back down to the Marlees. Who knows maybe Kadri will surprise everyone and be what the leafs need to turn this season back around.

[Arthur Bailey]

Vinay, where did you get the photo you used for this blog post, the "Please Stand By" image. I am wondering what this is in reference too. I have seen something similar, and I am interested to know it's origins.

thanks

VM Replies: Arthur, this is a version of the Indian Head test card that was introduced in 1939 (by RCA) and used by American TV stations during scheduled sign-off periods.

[Hoofheartz]

Fancy Pants, I'm curious to know why you think Mr Cherry is crazy about the military. Do you take issue with someone who supports Canada's military or do you take issue with an institution you don't understand? As this is 1st and foremost a Leaf blog I'd be interested in knowing why you brought the military into it (and yes I support our military).

[Pyramid Power]

Before hitting the fetal position myself and sucking my thumb while sobbing uncontrollably I am going to console myself with the fact that the Buds were 1-8-1 at this time last year after ten games.
Aaahhhhh, that feels better.
Think I will turn to heavy drinking if we blow it tomorrow night though, and Alfredsson apparently hurting. lol
GO LEAFS GO!

[Arthur Bailey]

There is nothing wrong with supporting the military. Don does seem a bit fanatical. He won't let us forget for a second that were over there bleeding red and white. The quagmire that is the military debate is a matter of, should we be over there in the first place, and many Canadians say yes and Don is one of them but on the other hand, many Canadians say no. I think Fancy Pants is one who says no.

As for Kadri... Don is WRONG. Are the Leafs trying to be a cup contender this year? I thought they were rebuilding. Give Burke some time. Bringing up Kadri now, means in several years, we will be in the position Boston was in last year regarding Kessel, and New Jersey will be in next year with Parise and Chicago was in this past off season, having to deal with Restricted Free Agents who are valuable to your team, but not longer affordable. Let's save Kadri for when we actually have a team that is favoured to go deep in the playoffs.

[Pyramid Power]

@Arthur Bailey Excellent post. The Don uses his CC platform to beat the patriotic drum, and that is fine but I too think he is a little "fanatical" about it.
Question for you or anyone here: if we bring Kadri up this year even for a game or five would it count towards a year of his pro status? I know he played a game for Toronto last year, and that did not count. At what point does it count now for him to come up and play with the Leafs as in what is the cutoff point for games played for him to move towards RFA status?
It is terrible to have to be an economist and have to refer to capgeek.com for salaries, info on contracts and RFA status etc.... Burke said he doesn't even understand it and he is a Harvard grad. Claude Loiselle, assistant GM and ex-hockey player, apparently keeps it all in his head. Smart man. Apparently not all hockey players or former players are dumb dumbs.

[Hoofheartz]

One last comment on Mr Cherry, yes he does support the military, but I also seem to recall that when a police officer or firefighter loses their life in the line of duty, Don also features that person on Coach's Corner. As for Kadri, I have to agree, he should remain in the minors to gain valuable experience playing at the pro level. We can always hope that some other team with valuable assets is feeling the cap crunch (NJ) and is willing to part with that talent for cap relief.

[hockeystar]

I agree 100%. Shots that are taken at the chest and torso shouldn't even be considered shots. As I have heard from many goalies, shots that are on the ice or at ankle height are by far the hardest shots to stop. And as for Kadri, keep him in the minors until we are REALLY desperate. It's still the beginning.