Game Day: The Monster's Turn

It's amazing what a thrilling, come-from-behind victory can do for the psyche.

I woke up yesterday feeling like someone had removed a brick vest from my torso. I couldn't stop smiling. I loved everything and everybody. The universe was an awesome place.

My wife at 6:45 a.m.: "Don't forget to take out the recycling."
Me: "Sure thing, honey! No problem! Love you!"

An editor at 10:35 a.m.: "We're looking at early deadlines for your Living column until Christmas."
Me: "Great! Sounds like fun! I love early deadlines!"

Friend at 1:42 p.m.: "Hey, can I borrow your minivan this weekend? I need to move a dresser."
Me: "Borrow it? You can have it! I would love to never drive that minivan again!"

It took more than 24 hours to finally tumble down from my zombie high. But now that the whole four-power-play-goals-in-one-frigging-period is starting to fade, let's get back to business.

The Devils, off to a hellish 5-11-2 start, lug their dull pitchforks and fiery contracts into the ACC this evening. Jersey, once a defensive juggernaut, has given up 59 goals in 18 games.

More troubling, they aren't scoring.

Just like the Leafs and San Jose, Jersey has been shut out three times already. They are the only team to average fewer than 2 goals per game (1.83). And they have a -26 goal differential, second worst in the league. (Take a bow of shame, Edmonton.)

Put it this way: The Leafs, also red light challenged for much of the year, have played one less game and scored seven more goals than Jersey.

What does this all mean? Who knows.

On paper, though, the Leafs should be able to build on the momentum generated Tuesday night. As Moe Green noted in the comments yesterday, wouldn't it be great to venture into Montreal this weekend on a mini-high? But over the years, how many times has a beleaguered team sauntered into the ACC and stolen two points?

What we do know is this: Jonas Gustavsson will get the start after J.S. Giguere left the Nashville game with a minor injury. Jiggy, the elder statesman in net and vocal leader in the room, will be resting his troubled groin for 1-2 weeks.

And so with James Reimer getting the call as back-up, it's now The Monster's Goose's turn in the spotlight (see comment/suggestion below from Moe Green re: new nickname). This is the Big Chance he's no doubt been dreaming about while perched on the bench for two-thirds of the still young season.

Gustavsson made three heroic saves on Tuesday night in the 13:09 minutes he played. He looked as sharp as he's been during his five starts this season (1-3-1). Personally, I believe he will emerge as a force over the next two weeks and possibly even change the workload balance for the entire season.

That said, the Leafs may need to tweak certain aspects of their game when playing in front of him. So yesterday, in between high-fiving the mailman and regaling my cats with stories about the '93 playoffs, I spent a few hours studying Monster Goose game tape.

Here now, four humble suggestions for his teammates in advance of tonight's game:

1. COVERAGE: CLOG THE CIRCLES

By my count, 53 per cent of the goals scored against Monster Goose this year have come from cross-ice passes. He's a great goalie when he's square to the play. He's almost unbeatable on first-wave shots during a rush. But when he's forced to make quick, lateral movements, he often gives up the short side or top corners. So tonight, man-to-man coverage inside the circles will be critical.

2. TRANSITION: LIMIT HIS PUCK HANDLING

On at least seven occasions, the Leafs have slipped into serious trouble after Monster Goose touched the puck behind his net or on the right side. Usually, this has only resulted in sustained pressure by the opposition. But one time, a Monster Goose clearing attempt led directly to a goal by Florida's Bryan Allen. So the D needs to communicate even more than usual tonight. The wingers need to pick up their men on the backcheck. And Gustavsson needs to minimize his direct involvement in breakout plays.

3. TIMING: BEWARE 'THE THREE MINUTE WINDOW'

In four of his five games, Monster Goose has surrendered a goal within three minutes of the start or end of a period. In two games, the opposition scored with less than 50 seconds left in a period. Why this may be happening, I have no idea. But if the Leafs are to win tonight, they must be hyper-vigilant during the game's sleepy and frantic bookends.

4. DISCIPLINE: STAY OUT OF THE BOX

Here's something else to consider: 40 per cent of the goals scored against Monster Goose this season have come when the Leafs were shorthanded. Jersey, despite its ongoing problems, still has players that can burn you with the extra man. And if there's such a thing as karmic balance and retribution, the Leafs may find themselves on the receiving end of more calls tonight after their PP bonanza against Nashville. In short: No stupid penalties, please.

PHOTO: CJ GUNTHER/REUTERS

Comments

[Moe Green]

Great post VM, I'd love to see the leafs adopt some of your suggestions. Do you have Wilson's cel number? Anyway, I have a modest, but I think significant proposal regarding the Leafs, "the Monster" and their future success.

I humbly suggest that "the Monster" is a pompous and somewhat presumptuous nickname for not particularly large and not particularly scary Jonus Gustavsson. It kind of smells a little like the even more presumptuous "Canada's team" song that makes me cringe every time I hear it. Given his physical stature I propose we try to change his nickname to "Goose."

Goose is an excellent nickname for the lanky, slim, yet graceful net-minder. Suits him far better than "monster" doncha think? After all, his last name is Gustavsson. Isn't it even pronounced "goose-tav-son?" I'm not sure. And he would be in illustrious company. Remember one of baseball's all time greatest pitchers Rich "Goose" Gossage. And apparently there was a "Goose" Goslin as well. And of course there was Goose from Top Gun, but he dies, so forget that one. And isn't a shutout putting up a "Goose egg?"

But to top it all off, watching Roberto Luongo come in and stone our Leafs last Saturday and get a warm and supportive "Loooooo" after every great save kinda made my blood boil. I mean whose side are those fans on anyway? Maybe they were booing Luongo, but who know with his boo-like nickname. I think you kinda get where I'm headed with this.

With "Goose" as a nickname, the fans would have something easy to chant after an amazing save - something audibly indistinguishable from a boo. And why shouldn't Gustavsson share that benefit with a host of other players with "boo" sounding names throughout history? Players like "Mookie Wilson, Goose Gossage, Lou's of all kinds and the great Luongo none of whom ever heard a "boo" in their lives - at least none that could be proven in a court of law. You gotta admit, it sure would be a pretty fortuitous nickname for a goalie for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

VM Replies: You've convinced me. Let's rename him "Goose." As a grown man, I must confess, it does feel weird to keep typing "Monster."

[Moe Green]

Another suggestion to augment your fine proposal for the Leafs. Nice research by the way!

What about faking a shot. It's really the only reason Luke Schenn was able to score last game. He faked, walked around the defender then shot it high. Why can't the coach tell his players to wind up for a slapper then either pass or walk around the sprawling d-man and shoot high on the goalie. Seems like a simple strategy that the best players use all the time. Even sniper Kessel rarely if ever does it.

VM Replies: You raise an excellent point. We should start compiling a list of underused set plays. BTW, I just went back into the post and crossed-out every "Monster" to see how "Goose" looks.

[Al]

By my (fake) count, 100% of Jonas' losses this season have been because the Leafs have played like crap in front of him. hopefully this trend reverses tonight!

All together now: GOOOOOOOOOSE!

VM Replies: So that's a vote for "Goose." Awesome. If Moe's idea catches on, I hereby propose that we rename Mike Brown "Fu Manchu."

[Uncle Ned]

Here's the deal with the Monster. he needed to be playing in the 1 spot from the beginning of the season. Giggy, thought he may be a great guy, is not, and i'll repeat this, NOT a starting goalie at this point in his career. His east to west game has left him with age, and that's no knock against they guy. he just simply cannot bring it on a nightly basis. He's a vet goalie, and can still read plays, so he's a perfect back up. But starter? perhaps in the late 90s early 2000s. Not now. So here we have it, the Monsters chance. i am of the opinion that he can more than handle the 1 spot, but though I agree with your observations, there are a few more important changes that need to happen to his game. Simple things that aren't so simple to learn. 1. He needs to remain quiet in the net, and read the play more often than not, but that will come with age, like Giggy. 2. He needs to control rebounds, and stop plays in their tacks - the true sign of any great goalie. i.e., shot comes in, save is made, rebound is tamed and fed to teammate or play is stopped. To summarize, and I can't make this clear enough leaf fans, Giggy's days of brilliance have long since past. He reminds me of Eddie at the end of his career. The Monster needs to put up or shut up. Why? There are two pretty damn good goalies on the farm team that deserve a shot as well.

VM Replies: Interesting take. And the upward pressure from red-hot prospects is a nice problem to have. Never thought I'd see the day when one of two AHL goalies was called up and it was *not* the guy who just won player of the week.

[Matt]

In regards to Rynnas not getting called up (see VM's reply to above comment), I'm glad we get to see the day the player of the week was skipped over. It's a smart move by the Leaf's brass. Keep him down in the AHL for now where he actually gets minutes and can keep his hot hand going. If you bring him up he will simply ride the bench unless the Goose lays a rotten egg.

Goose is a great new name by the way, and Vinay, you are a great new take on the Leafs (and sports reporting in general). I may not even be out of University yet, but I have closely followed sports my whole life and you are by far the most honest, entertaining, refreshing, funny, and down-to-earth writers I've seen. Keep up the good work!

VM Replies. Wow, thanks Matt. That's very kind of you to say. Oh, and that's now two votes for Goose.

[Mark]

Ok, but if the Monster becomes Goose, who's Maverick?

VM Replies: That’s three votes for Goose! As for your question, let’s see... Maverick: Relatively short, dark hair and prone to sudden outbursts of, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling.” Let's go with Timmy Brent.

[leafland'r]

"Goose-tav-son'" can be a number 1 goalie. If only he would alter his style a bit.
Please, no more dropping to your knees or butterfly too soon before an anticipated shot. No more dropping your shoulder frequently to sett the upper corners as a target. No more unnecessary lateral movement by sliding on your pads. And when oversliding your crease, no more thrusting your body to the right when you want to return to the left post. Here's hoping for ya'.
Goooooo.....Gooooooo....Goooooose

VM Replies: Four votes for Goose! (Also, nice breakdown of his technical glitches.)

[Pyramid Power]

The Goose is Loose. I am on board with that. Outstanding.
Remember a quote from Beauchemin last year laughing about the Monster with his Quebecois accent. He clearly hated that nickname. I have hated it since he arrived.
The Goose it is for this Leafs fan from now on.
Devils without Parise and Salvador. Good.
The Devils lost in Boston Monday night 3-0. Maybe good, maybe not good.
Martin Brodeur in nets. Definitely never good no matter how badly he used to play against Toronto, and how suspect he has been this year.
Gunnarsson in for Lebda it would appear. Outstanding! Thank you Ronnie!
@Kris Versteeg Please resume your goal scoring ways tonight, and catch Viktor Stalberg with another two goal performance.
@Mikhail Grabovski Please stop your giveaway ways tonight, and continue to make up for those follies the other night against the Preds by potting a goal or three tonight.
@Phil Kessel Please get philthy again, and score lots and lots of goals and drive to the net.
@Fu Manchu Please go to the net and cause mayhem, and maybe get a Tim Kerr-like goal.
@Colton Orr Please resume fighting anytime now, or at least do something useful and noticable on the ice. We have missed you.
@Our PK and PP units: please be great tonight.
@Goose This is your time to shine! Don't lay an egg tonight, post a goose egg! You can do it despite some shoddy performances in the swamps of Jersey last year. And as leafland'r very accurately notes please do not drop to your knees too soon. Have seen this with way way too many goalies lately. The latest was Nittymaki last night in Denver giving up the late tying goal by Stastny on just such a play.
Goose outduels Pizza tonight, and the Leafs win this one and move to within a game of .500 heading to enemy territory in Montreal this Saturday night.
GO LEAFS GO! Game on!

VM Replies: That settles it. From now on, I shall refer to him as Goose.

[Pyramid Power]

Did not get a very good stream in that first period so did not see too much of the action, but it appears Toronto is playing well and could easily be up by a goal or two.
Outshot the Devils 10-6 and won faceoffs 8-5. Had far better chances than Jersey.
Keep the pedal to the metal Leafs!

Love the suggestions Vinay, and some great comments here.
Too bad Kessel hit the post.
GO LEAFS GO! Let's take advantage of fresh ice and score a PP goal. What a dumb penalty by Rolston on Schenn to end the first period. Thanks Brian.

[Pyramid Power]

GRABBO!!! Another PP goal. Nice fat rebound allowed by Pizza on the Kulemin shot.
Let's go get another goal quickly here.
Mitchell gets a delay of game penalty. Let's kill this one first.

Goose 'em Goose!
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

PHILTHY!!!!!
Nice snipe and setup by Kadri. Would love to see Nasty Nazzy score his first goal in the NHL tonight.
GO LEAFS GO!

Great glove save by Goose on that Kovalchuk bullet. Looked like Roberto Alomar.

[Pyramid Power]

Tough bounce for The Goose. Thought Beauchemin could have done a better job on coverage there.
2-1 Leafs.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Attaway to drive to the net Mr. Manchu! Fu looked good there and showed some guts.
Btw, no disrespect to arguably the greatest goaltender in NHL history, but I just love calling him Pizza.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

Phew! End of the period and shorthanded, and got thru that one.
Leafs are fu fighters tonight!
Appears we will have to hold our collective breaths through the third period again tonight.
Nothing but eggs in the third Goose!
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

YES! YES! YES! YES!
VERSTEEG! ANOTHER PP GOAL!

Leafs up 3-1 after being badly outplayed. Close this one out guys.
GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

VICTORY! AWESOME!
What a pass by Kadri to set up Versteeg to close it out.
But the real hero was The Goose!
Devils really took it to Toronto in the third, and The Goose was equal to the challenge!
Geese now taking flight, and on to Montreal Saturday night to get back to .500.
GO LEAFS GO!
GO GEESE GO! LOL

[Moe Green]

I think “Goose” would be a great nickname but I can understand if it doesn't gain traction with the fans. I bet Jonus Gustavsson probably likes “the Monster” too and maybe in some way he's earned it and anyway who am I to try to take it away from him. And it is sorta cool I guess. Monsters are cool, right? I still prefer Goose.

But if we can't have “Goose,” if it has to be “the Monster” then we need a chant, something to go with “The Monster.” But what? I thought of “grrrrrr” but I just can't see it fly. First, it's a little juvenile and second, I don't think it has the right ring to it. Too tinny. There's the obvious ghosty “booooo” but it sounds a little too much like the derisive “booooo” that the team is probably all too familiar with and anyway, it's ghosts, not monsters that go boo in the night.

So I was thinking: What kind of sound does a monster make? And then it hit me. Count Floyd of SCTV. He was a vampire who lived in a coffin and he howled like a wolf. Yep, just like a wolf, or a werewolf to be exact. Why a vampire howled like a werewolf, I'll never know, and they never explained it, but what I do know is the kind of sound 19,000 rabid fans howling like werewolves at a hockey game would sound like. A an opponent-intimidating symphony of awesomeness for normally tomb-like ACC.

And I can top it too. If the Leafs go on a streak and somehow make the playoffs maybe Joe Flaherty, dressed like Count Floyd could introduce the players or just howl for us. I think he still lives in the area. Or maybe they could get a recording of his howl and play it at the ACC when they announce the starting goaltenders. I'm wetting myself.

So if we can't have Goose then I guess the next best thing would be a crazy-awesome werewolf chant for “the Monster.” Ah-rrrrooooooooooo!

[Ashleybarona]

Man I always called him Goose, it just seems more natural! In addition, it fits in well with our tradition of goalies whose nicknames were animals! (The Cat, The Eagle). Too perfect.

[Pyramid Power]

@Vinay I second your motion or proposal. Mike Brown henceforth to be called Fu Manchu.