Game 27: Lost in Translation

If you asked the Leafs to help move a grand piano, I suspect their first impulse would be to push it with their eyelids. This team does not do anything the easy way.

Case in point: Tonight's loss to Pittsburgh.

I don't know what the official game plan was going into the game. But I'm willing to bet good money it was not the following:

1. Start the game with zero energy.
2. Get outshot 13-4 in the first.
3. Casually sweep at the puck instead of cover Sidney Crosby when he's buzzing around the net.
4. Get outshot 11-6 in the second.
5. Take not one but two penalties for "too many men on the ice."
6. Give up a two-on-nothing while on the power play.
7. Make a few horrific line changes.
8. Surrender three goals in 3 minutes and 8 seconds in the second.
9. Lull the Penguins into believing the game is over and their winning streak will continue.
10. Then... attempt another epic comeback in the third!

The nutty thing is it really looked like the Leafs might pull off No. 10. Alas, after thrilling come-from-behind victories against Boston and Washington, it was not to be and a 4-0 Penguin lead crystallized as a 5-2 Penguin win.

About an hour before tonight's game started, one of my 4-year-old daughters showed me a Christmas card she made.

It was emblazoned with orange stars and blue fish and a zigzag pattern of ribbons.

"Do you want me to read it to you?" she asked sweetly. "It has a special message!"

"Sure!" I said, clapping and leaning forward.

"It says, 'Santa is coming to our house soon,'" she said, enunciating carefully while dragging her finger across the inside. "And then it says, 'In gym class, we wear our running shoes.' And then this last part says, 'We wear our boots in the snow.'"

"What a great card!" I said. "I love it!"

"It's for you!" she said, handing it to me and beaming.

I thanked her and opened it. Sure enough, the "special message" scrawled inside actually read: "ROOOROOOROROOOROORRROOO."

In a way, tonight's game was like her card.

Somehow, best Leaf intentions were lost in translation. Somehow, the team couldn't spell the words they wanted until it was too late.

So for the first two periods, they were forced to read a different special message from what the rest of us could plainly see. And just like that, every ounce of pre-game excitement evaporated and our expressions began to mirror those of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson in the photo atop this post.

Instead of passing or skating or shooting, we ended up with a whole lot of ROOOROOOROROOOROORRROOO. Instead of mental toughness, it was muddled-headed gaffes and more ROOOROOOROROOOROORRROOO.

I mean, one penalty for "too many men on the ice" may have a logical explanation; two of them in one game and we are clearly dealing with a failure to communicate. Holding Crosby to two shots is usually great news. But when he scores on both of those shots, well, punch me in the giblets and ROOOROOOROROOOROORRROOO.

But let’s give this young Leafs team credit for refusing to wave a white flag. More important, let's hope they come up with an easier game plan for Philadelphia tomorrow.

Comments

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

On a positive note, I believe Schenn looked pretty good against Crosby last night; too bad the Leafs were on the road and Wilson couldn't get this matchup to go all night. (I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt that this was in fact his intention, not that strapping lads like Komi or Beau wouldn't have been just as good a plan -- I wish there was such a thing as "sarcasm font" on the internet (sigh) shades of Cory Cross and Aki Berg...)

VM Replies: How do we clone Luke Schenn?

[The 5th Line Centre]

Sad to say that a rather larger factor was Monster. He didn't look like a starter the way he waved his glove at passing pucks. I think that with better goaltending this game was winnable.

[red5]

I think one of the biggest problems with the first two periods was inconsistency and lack of finish. There were spurts (I'm thinking of the shifts surrounding the Pen's time-out) where they contained the Pens and dictated the play, but couldn't translate it into a decent scoring chance. But they have been learning all season, and are starting to apply what they have learned. And they've beat two of the top 5 teams in the conference; losing at least one this week was inevitable.

The important questions now are, does the energy of the third period continue into tonight? Does Komisarek sit if Phaneuf plays? Does Ron Wilson bring an abacus or calculator to the bench, or is he looking to put the chain around the neck of the Toronto Mayor in four years time?

[We BeLeaf]

Hi Vinay, my daughter gave me the same card to me last year when she in grade 1, but on the back of the card she drew a blue maple leaf (because blue is her favourite colour). Funny how after reading your blog this morning reminded of that and how the team is basically in the same position they were a year ago. In any case, let's hope they don't dig themselves another hole tonight that they can't crawl out of. It should be a physical game and let's see some of that truculence dispelled on the Flyers tonight.
Cheers!

VM Replies: I hope they're not out of gas tonight.

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I guess I must disagree. While Gus should have controlled the rebound on the first goal, there is no reason Crosby (of all people) should have been allowed to get a second AND THIRD whack at the puck to put it in (bad #1 on Komi). I believe we can both agree that the second goal was totally on the defense even though Gus did cheat slightly to one side (but what other option is there on a "2-on-none"?!?!?). Third goal was a bad bounce off Beauch's skate as he was unattentive to not only the puck but to Letestu right behind him. 4th was another 2-on-1 (the fact that Crosby was one of the two made it more like a 3-on-1). Only on the 5th goal can I agree that the monster has fault as he should have stayed on his feet as versteeg was already covering the bottom half of the ice.

VM Replies: After reading the comment from The Fifth Line Center, I just went back to re-watch the Pens' goals. I agree with you: It's tough to blame Goose for the first four.

[Robert]

Common man, that 4 minutes to Crosby was introduced to allow Toronto back into the game. I have never seen such inept officiating. Colby was able to run anyone anytime, no penalty, Orr ran half way across the ice to hit Crosby who didn't have the puck. No penalty. Toronto can skate, they with the exception of Schenn and Kaberle, have no defence! Poor Gus was left all alone far too often.
Toronto is beginning to set up their power play. Well they should, they get an awful lot of chances, but, they have no other game plan. Dump and chase, cycle the puck etc. Perhaps they should rerun the games on the plane home and watch how the other teams play that beat them. And without Malkin and Stall!

[leafland'r]

I like the way Armstrong generated a reunion with his old roomie early in the game.
Schenn's miscue in the first minute seem to represent how the Leafs appeared star struck in meeting hot streak Crosby. During the first period they seemed a bit intimidated or suffering from mild anxiety attacks.
The loss may have been my fault 'cause as hard as I tried not to move my position on the couch, even with my leg numb from being asleep, I shuffled just before Pittsburgh's fifth goal. Sorry Goose.
Oh well, I guess I can put my 3 game 5 day old crispy socks in the wash now.

VM Replies: Need a picture of the socks before they are washed, please and thank you.

[oakville_girl]

I have to confess that I didn't watch much of the game. I just felt that my energy was being sucked away just watching their lack of energy.

On the other hand, I really like Sidney Crosby, and am cheering for him to keep up his streak!

Let's hope tonight is a better game. I heard that Phaneuf may be ready for tonight? Has anyone else heard this?

VM Replies: They'll decide this morning, apparently. He's been cleared to return and had a long workout yesterday.

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

re: robert, the 4 minutes on Crosby represented the hit on schenn and the fact that he was the 2nd man in on rosehill on the same play after the whistle blew (I'm surprised Goddard didn't get a "3rd man in" penalty when he jumped on rosehill). This is what I thought got Crosby 2 minors but, I may be wrong.

[The 5th Line Centre]

It's the difference between great and good. Is he the only one to blame? No, not even top of the list and obviously the 2 on 0 goal is not his fault)
1st goal could have been prevented with a Thomas like reflex/desperation attempt, but Komi is the dog on this one
3rd goal was all Gus, it was his weak clearing attempt and then the shot that beat him was stoppable. Would have been a great save and that's my point a great save was needed to keep the Leafs close.
4th goal, terrible lateral motion with a massive 5hole, even Gus was angry at himself for it
5th was stoppable, it seems the book is out on Gus, shoot high glove and you have a solid chance to score. This happens a lot to him.

VM Replies: I agree with you about the lateral movements. (Also, just realized I have not replied yet to your last email. I have the piece and hope to run it soon. Thanks!)

[Michael]

Burke said earlier this year that Ron Wilson didn't play the game, that it was the players who had to drag themselves out of this mess. He might not play but he isn't teaching very well either. Well coached teams do not commit stupid penalties time and time again (see too many men on the ice part one and two). Well coached teams do not start games unprepared or disinterested and well prepared teams kill penalties well and sacrifice the body at all cost. This team does none of these things. I can live with this being a young team and making young team mistakes as long as they learn from those mistakes. I wonder what exactly they are learning? I think bad penalties and poor effort in any sport is a direct reflection on the coach. Look at what the change in Philly did last year for that team. I'm not saying the Leafs would go to the finals with this bunch, but a change might make them a lot less frustrating to watch!

[Moe Green]

Here are the last 11 wins for the Pens:

Tor 5-2
NJ 2-1
CBJ 7-2
ATL 3-2
NYR 3-1
CGY 4-1
OTT 2-1
BUF 1-0
FLA - 3-2
CAR 5-4 OT
NYR 3-2 OT

I agree that the Leafs played poorly but some credit has to go to the stunning forecheck and work along the boards of the Pens forwards in the first. Still, something has to be done about Komisarek. And let's face facts: Gustavsson may be pretty good, but would Thomas or Miller found a way to stop a couple of those? At least one? Is that still a weakness for the Leafs?

[Moe Green]

You know I just noticed with the list of the Pens wins in the last 11 - there wasn't a tough team among them. They just got lucky with the schedule. That's a big bunch or out of the plauoffs or barely in the playoffs teams.

[Moe Green]

If the Leafs are out of gas tonight, the season's over. You know it and I know it and, though they would never consciously acknowledge it, they know it too. Boo hoo if they can't get up for the game. Anyone here think that Orr's fight helped the team last night? Rosehill's? Is it time to put that nonsense to bed? You know what did help: Colby. That's the kind of toughness we need. Fighting is a pleasant distraction for the fans who like that sort of thing. Personally, I'd rather see strippers.

VM Replies: Strippers? What? I think the Orr-Engelland rematch was inevitable given what happened last time. Not sure Rosehill had much choice since Godard was throwing 'em even before they were facing each other. Komo did the right thing by fighting Rupp after the hit on Kessel. But, again, Rupp dropped the gloves first. What was interesting about all of this, though, is that Pittsburgh has one of the toughest teams in the league. Godard has always been a Top 10 fighter. This Engelland kid is downright scary. I mean, he landed a couple of punches last night that nearly knocked Orr into next week again. And then they have Asham, one of the most underrated fighters around.

[Wild John]

Re: Pens toughness- Pens leading the league right now in fighting majors has more to do with Engelland-Orr v.1. Everybody's "tough guy" has wanted to "try" Engelland. The Pen's have a lot of guy's who will "go" but I disagree that they are looking for it.
As for Rosehill, he was running EVERYBODY in that game- it was inevitable that some Penguin was going to go after him- the shot that Goddard hit him with after he went down was real anger.

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

While I've been waiting around for years to see the pens stick up for their star players, I'm kinda disappointed that it had to start last night. As far as Goddard vs. rosehill, I believe the pens should have been penalized as goddard was not the 2nd, but 3rd fighter getting in at rosehill.

[Pyramid Power]

Phaneuf cleared to play tonight. Very good news. Wonder who will sit tonight. Hope Wilson has the guts to sit Komisarek. Ice time way down and he needs to get his game together. I think he is losing faith in himself, he must know how poorly he is playing.
Philly lost in a SO at home last night to the Sharks so both teams flew in from Pennsylvania last night, and should be at the same energy level. Tough loss for Philly blowing a three goal lead.
Flyers very good on the road, and have our number including a win against us earlier this season in Philly.
Hated the way we came out last night, and only woke up in the third when it was mostly too late.
Kadri becoming a non-factor and invisible again. As I just read over at Damien's blog the kid needs to be sent down to the Marlies again it would appear.
Phil Kessel such a disappointment. I wonder if he will ever elevate his game to where I thought he would. Kulemin was mostly invisible last night. Surprised by that.
I look for the team to carry over a great third period last night for the most part and win this one. Need this one badly, and I hope Giggy really goes lights out tonight.
I can't remember the last time a Leafs goalie went out and just completely robbed a game for us. I don't believe it has happened yet this year, and I can't remember when it has.
I guess it must have been Goose late last year when he won seven in a row - imagine one of those games must have been theft by goalie.

VM Replies: It certainly hasn't happened this season.

[Chad]

having Dion back should help inject more life into this team. bench Komi tonight, and then Beauch on Sat. i'd suggest to bench Kabby as well, but we need him on the PP.
tough game tonight. if everyone thought trying to cover one player was tough last night, think about trying to cover 10 players. the Flyers are stocked with talent. we'll need a game like the one against Boston in order to have a chance at winning.

[Pyramid Power]

Well, maybe Giggy can steal one for us tonight.

Another good point raised is the Tomas Kaberle Factor. The guy is so soft in the defensive zone, does not score goals despite all his PP time and it seems like every time there is sustained pressure in our zone I can count on seeing #15 out there. Is allergic to any kind of physical contact.

So many many disappointments on our team yet again this year I must say. How many Leafs can you say have exceeded your expectations going into this year?

MacArthur, Army, Schenn and.......... Aulie I suppose. Mike Brown for sure.

Giggy and Goose have not in my mind, not at all.

Komisarek, Beauchemin, Gunnarsson, Kaberle, Lebda, Holzer in his two games and Phaneuf have certainly not exceeded my expectations.

Sjostrom has to take some flak for our pathetic PK. Does not score goals so what is up with him? Brent? As my daughter likes to write, meh. Big meh.

Bozak has not exceeded expectations, and as many have pointed out before, would barely be a third or fourth line centreman on any other club.

Caputi? Disappointment.

Hanson? Disappointment.

Crabb? Disappointment.

Orr and Rosehill? They do their jobs, but don't contribute to victories for the most part.

Zigomanis? Disappointment except on faceoffs.

Versteeg? Meh. Mostly a disappointment at least to me.

Biggest disappointment on this club far and away? Lebda? Kessel?

Anyone care to chime in?

[Pyramid Power]

Forgot John Mitchell. Major disappointment.

[Mike]

only 10? surely you jest.

[Pyramid Power]

Forgot Grabovski and Kulemin. Both have met expectations in my opinion. Have not exceeded and have not disappointed although both are so often enigmas, and inconsistent. Champs one night, invisible on other nights.

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Ha... yes Johnny M has been a disappointment since... welll... forever, I dunno but it seems as though he must have some blackmail material on wilson and/or Burkie. I can't think of any other reason he keeps on coming back?!?!?!?!

[Moe Green]

I guess I'm not a big fan of staged fights. Basically anything involving Colton Orr. IMO Strippers, like fighting, would be there strictly because "the fans want it." An argument often used by fighting advocates.

[Moe Green]

I think the only player on the Leafs who has exceeded expectations is MacArthur.

[Moe Green]

... perhaps Schenn

[Moe Green]

Biggest disappointment you say? Where to start. Here goes, sort of in order:

Kessel
Bozak
Kaberle
Versteeg
Komisarek
Gunnarson

Wilson?

[PipsBurgh]

Discoverd your blog today thanks to a plug in the comments on an ESPN.com article. As a Pens fan, I found your "Terrorist" article hilarious, and your other posts significantly amusing as well. I feel for you Leafs fans, really, but I must say that misery begets humour (Canadian spelling, even!) much better than jubilance. Because of that, I must respectfully root for a long continued drought of success in Toronto, if only that I may continue to be greatly amused by your thoughtful, intelligent bouts of hockey ranting. I wish you many random sexual encounters with the Blue Light Girls in lieu of a winning hockey team. Keep it up, VM!

p.s. If you can convince me that you are just as funny when the Leafs are winning, I'll gracefully retract my hopes for continued distress in LeafLand.

VM Replies: Thanks for reading, PipsBurgh. I've never had someone wish me many random sexual encounters. This is why I love America, country of my birth.

[We BeLeaf]

Hey PP,

I'd have to say that the only disappointment in your list would be Kessel at this point in time. Perhaps he will turn it around, or is the pressure getting to him, or is he not being matched up with someone who can pass him the puck? I admit that I thought Versteeg would be more of a presence, but he could be the type of player who heats up near the end of the season and then pours it on in the playoffs. The defense in general is not up to par, but that will change for the better quickly.
Cheers!

[leafland'r]

Sorry, Vinay ( re: 8:58 am), just read your 'VM reply', it's too late. The crispy socks have already gone nto the wash to get ready for the new winning streak starting tonight with the Flyers.
A strange fragrance rises out of Pittsburgh. Oh, how I long for the scent.

VM Replies: Damn!

[TG77]

To me, the biggest disappointment is that our depth on D is not really working out. I was quite excited by the Beauchemin and Komisarek signings last summer given Beau was a big part of the Duck's cup run and was an invitee to Team Canada's summer Olympics camp and Komisarek was slated to play in Vancouver for the US. Phaneuf was considered a lock to make Team Canada even a year before the Olympics, Kaberle naturally played for the Czechs so on paper, this d-corps should be quite strong (and are making a butt load of money against the salary cap) but then you get them on the ice and they are brutal at times and have added something like 4 goals total all season. We all know Kabs has never been a physical player so they need to play him with someone who somewhat shields him from big hits but Komi and Beauchemin seem to be terrible passers and put the puck in their partners skates or put the forwards in a no-win situation on a very regular basis so it falls on Schenn for now. Did Markov really hide Komisarek that much in Montreal?

The Leafs also consistently have chances to clear the puck and feebly knock the puck close to the line which seems to be the biggest weakness on the PK. Last night on one PK, they had about 8 chances (in a 20 second span) to knock the puck out of the zone and instead it stayed in their end. I don't coach or play the game so I honestly don't have a remedy but are they just weak on the puck? Or is it a symptom of practicing the PK against less skilled players?

As for my biggest disappointment, I would say not keeping the college kids line together (Stalberg, Hanson and Bozak) in the AHL for a year and letting them develop together as a line annoys me more than anything. Same thing for guys like Irwin, Kadri and D'Amigo for this year. Going back to 6-8 years ago, Stajan-Steen-Wellwood would make a fairly decent 2nd or 3rd line right now if they had been allowed to develop together for a number of years. The constant line juggling is ridiculous to me because outside of McArthur, Grabovski, Kulemin, no lines have been kept together for more than a few games. I get we had some injuries and some call-ups but some consistency would have to help. This is the only team I consistently follow so I can't comment on other teams but is this line juggling a common thing for other teams?

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Ouch, I guess us fans can't even find solidarity on local newspaper blogs anymore. If its a pens fan, I don't mind too much though... pittsburgh-ians should be ever thankful for having guys like Mario and sid grace their organizations!

[ec]

Did you just chirp your infant daughter in your column? Sweet.

[moe green]

Prediction: Leafs chase Boucher!

VM Replies: Wow. That's a bold prediction. Almost as bold as a Kessel hat-trick.

[moe green]

Prediction: Flyers chase Giguere!

[moe green]

hit the post... right. I love the MacKulebovski line!

[moe green]

What a crappy team. They need to hire a coach.

[moe green]

I want Wilson to explain that powerplay!

[moe green]

You know, they might even come back and win this game but I don't care. I hate this team. I hate Ron Wilson. It's Christmas - the "hating the Leafs" time of year. All I asked was that they stay in contention past Christmas. They couldn't even give me that. I hate them.

VM Replies: Oh oh. No Pyramid Power tonight and we've lost Moe Green after the first period.

[Pyramid Power]

Late to the game here, and see I have missed utterly nothing except two Flyer goals by Leino and Pronger. Another PP goal on their ONLY PP of the game.

Unbeleafable! Let's get to the comeback kids. Cardiac Kids go, go, go, go.

GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: Cardiac Kids. What more can be said?

[moe green]

I have never seen Mitchell complete an important pass in my life - he does and Versteeg hits the post! Argh!

[moe green]

"Versteeg a long shot that was way wide" nice.

[moe green]

Lobotomy Kids, Hypoglycemia Kids, Irritable Bowel Syndrome Kids.

[Pyramid Power]

Consistently blowing our PP chances and finding ways to get behind in games is not helping us at all. What a horrific trend especially giving up the first goal or two before we get it going.
This goes back to last year so I guess it is not a trend. Just the way this team rolls.

[moe green]

Instead of unloading instantly Kessel aimed that.

[moe green]

Coma Kids, Low Blood Sugar Kids, Jerry's Kids

[Pyramid Power]

Kessel and Bozak on a 2 on 1 and nice play by Timonen, but when is Phil going to break out?

Got my wish and Komisarek is out although due to injury.

Lebda in. Yikes!

How has Phaneuf looked tonight?

[moe green]

If this ISN'T Wilson's fault then we are in deep trouble here.

[moe green]

Ooh, the POWER play. C'mon guys, don't make us beg.

[Pyramid Power]

Great burst of energy there resulting in a JVR penalty and we go to the PP. Let's start winning some faceoffs!

See if we can one by Boucher here.

[moe green]

Phaneuf okay, rusty. Please tell me: Does Wilson actually coach special teams? Or does he just chuck out a bag of pucks and go for a cigar like Quinn used to?

[Pyramid Power]

Phaneuf again showing he has not lost his flair and panache for NOT being able to get shots on net or to the net even on the PP.
Four PP's and no goals. It has to be better than this. Liked the play of Lebda on that last PP. Something good happened.

[moe green]

This team is not coached! Or they are over-coached. this team needs a coach!

[moe green]

I am sick of the lack of respect demonstrated year-in year-out for the fans. This organization mocks us. What other team would still have Wilson behind the bench? No one. It's time they started giving a little back to the fans. it's time.

[Pyramid Power]

Why did I hustle to get to this horror? Briere a special talent and nice goal to make it 3-0.
Might be heading to Nashville in a moment to watch the Titans-Colts game.

[moe green]

Was that a penalty? Please. At least Grabovski has emotion. Thank you Wilson.

[moe green]

How do you miss the net like Colby did? That is inexcusable.

[moe green]

YEah PP, come back with 10 mins left for the "too little to late" comeback.

[TG77]

Perhaps the most annoying thing about this year's team is the fact that they look so lackadaisical on the power play and there is no urgency to even get a shot away. They pass the pack around about 8 times before shooting and give the other team all the time in the world to set up. Are they being told that every guy on the ice has to touch the puck before they can shoot? They also lose 90% of the faceoffs on both power plays and when they are killing penalties. It's brutal. 1 shot on a 4 minute powerplay. Conversely, 6 seconds in the flyers powerplay they score. Granted, it was a horr-awful goal for Jiggy to give up, clean faceoff loss and a shot right away. Make a splash on the trade market and get rid of one of the albatross d-men. $30 million on our back-end. 4 goals. I mean the Flyers have 7 forwards that I would consider our best so the difference in talent level is ridiculous. Carter, Richards, Giroux, Briere, Leino, Zherdeev, Hartnell would all be guys I want on the team ahead of Phil Kessel.

[moe green]

They can't even take the puck into the zone on the PP. Kessel is brutal. Imagine this team without the Grabovski line.

[Pyramid Power]

Look at our coaching staff Moe. Not one of them ever played a PP minute in their playing careers! Acton? No. Zettler? No. Hunter? No. Wilson? No.
OK, just as I was going on that negative rant we finally scored!

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAL! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABOHHHHHHHHHHH!
NICE SETUP BY MACARTHUR.
3-1. Not going to Nashville yet. Will be staying right here.

[moe green]

Come on... doesn't Giggy have to have that?

VM Replies: Yes.

[moe green]

okay (wearily) one last time... Comeback...

[moe green]

K taking ab break, back for the last half of the third. But if no comeback tonight, you gotta ask: What was the point of beating Boston and Washington? I mean why bother. I thin kwe are all hoping they don't finish in lotteryland. It's all we realistically have left. Do we have that?

[Pyramid Power]

Briere a special talent. 4-1 Philly. Too bad we don't have much special talent. No Giroux, Hartnell, Briere or committed defensive corps led by all-world defender Chris Pronger on our team.
Fitting that the period ended with Phaneuf missing the net. What is wrong with him and that shot of his? Does he practice shooting the puck ON NET?
Anyway, clearly we are being outclassed again by a team that is far superior to ours talent-wise. We do not have the personnel or talent to compete against quality squads.
Thank goodness for the Grabovski line indeed Moe.

[80s Leafs]

I hereby swear I am watching The Office at 9 and not checking the third period at all that whole half hour. I can watch the buffoons at Dunder-Mifflen and get some laughs, rather than smashing my head against the wall watching the buffoons in blue at the ACC tonight.

[moe green]

Hey guys a serious question: How much of this is lack of talent and how much is WIlson and his staff? Personally, I think when your special teams are so anemic it has to be the coach. That an the fact that they can't seem to get up for games. But it's the level of disorganization that concern me. Too many examples to mention. Any thoughts wise hockey tans? If it is Wilson, doesn't Burke owe us a new coach?

[Pyramid Power]

I think we are definitely heading towards Lotteryland Moe.
Good points made by all here and TG77 with Philly's arsenal of talent up front.
Toronto is just not a very good hockey team at all, and that sad fact needs to be faced.

I too had high hopes for Komisarek and Beauchemin for the reasons TG77 pointed out. Hopes dashed so far in one season plus.

It amazes me that nobody comes up from the Marlies and surprises us with his play.

It amazes me that we get almost no defensive scoring particularly Kaberle.
It amazes me the lack of scoring punch all-round. But it should not amaze me at all. We are not a good hockey team I will reiterate, and I do not think we can hang that on the coaching staff.

BUT our pathetic special teams during Wilson's tenure can be hung on our coaching staff. Is that a firing offence? I believe it should be sooner rather than later.

Won't happen until the New Year though as Burke is a good man, and gives his teams a no trade speculation break through the holiday season.

Anyway, over to Nashville for some football. Will be back.

[moe green]

@ 80s Leafs, If you haven't seen the UK series watch it. It's much better. Also try IT Crowd if you haven't already.

[moe green]

I know were not "very" good but are we this bad? If so, aren't we in trouble next year too? Kaberle never makes the right move lately. What is Armstrong doing on a scoring line? If our "third and forth liners" are this bad, what hope do we have for the future? You can't keep saying "we're young." What about the $100 million defense?

[moe green]

K I'm not kidding here. THIS IS A MUST WIN. RALLY TIME!

[moe green]

Yeah it's time for something other than hockey talk. Who are your all time favorite TV comedy characters? Any votes for Lord Flashheart? Regular characters? Best comedy series of all time?

[moe green]

Best comedy series? Father Ted, IT Crowd. Seinfeld?

VM Replies: WKRP.

[moe green]

I just lost my feeds. Even the streamers have given up.

[moe green]

Loved that show. Dr Johnny Fever. The classic thanksgiving episode. Excellent.

[moe green]

What about Trailer Park Boys? "This is f-ed Julian" "Conchy. " Bubbles. Steve French. The best drunk ever on TV = Mr Lehey.

[Pyramid Power]

Best comedy series of all-time Moe? I give it to MASH or All in the Family. Big Bang Theory a lot of fun to watch these days. Hawkeye Pierce, Archie Bunker or Sheldon the Geek on Big Bang Theory for best comic character.

Best comic character in Leaf history? Clear the track for Eddie Shack.

Nothing doing here in the third period.

Pathetic against Pennsylvania. Pitiful against Pennsylvania. There is a comedy show. A tragi-comedy.

No late game heroics tonight. Flyers wary of that happening again, and wise Laviolette called a timeout to make sure it does not happen.

GO COLTS! :)

[moe green]

I think Seinfeld was the best American show of all time? Any agreement on this.

VM Replies: I would actually agree with this.

[moe green]

I think all the fans have left the building both figuratively and literally.

[moe green]

Goodnight sweet princes: Vinay, PP all! Godspeed. Funeral tomorrow. For our Leafs playoff hopes. Oh well, maybe next year!

[Pyramid Power]

This horror show is blessedly over.

2-2 during this week of death with the Canadiens up next. I think we will come up big against them as we always do. Something to look forward to with this team.

VM Replies: Thanks (all of you) for keeping me company tonight. Now I have to think of something to write about this horror show.

[TG77]

Favourite comedy series all-time is Cheers. But for the short-time it was on, Arrested Development was amazing. Also, there was a Judd Apatow show called Undeclared that had Jason Segal, Seth Rogen and Jay Baruchel early in their acting careers. Tons of good cameos including Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Ben Stiller and Amy Poehler as a crazy resident advisor. It only lasted a season but it was really funny. Speaking of funny, how quickly the ACC crowd is to turn on these Leafs that they were loving on Saturday. We are guilty of it on this post too. The Flyers are simply not a team that the Leafs match up well with and if anyone actually deserves the raspberries, it's Jiggy with a gross first goal. It set the tone for a rough night and kills the PK's confidence. I need a drink! And PP, Sheldon on Big Bang Theory is amazing.

[80s Leafs]

Sein was my fav, but Cheers was probably the best all-around. Still sit there for an hour watching M*A*S*H episodes I've seen 400 times each. If Three's Co was still on I'd do the same for it.
Fav WKRP episode was the one Johnny and Venus had the on-air public service drinking contest and Johnny's reflexes got better the more he drank.

[Hockey Fan, therefore by Definition Not a Leaf Fan]

Hey Laff Fans! Keep your chin up. There is always the June draft.....er..um, yeah.

Team winning percentage after 28 games : .429
To reach 90 points (hypothetical playoff number), last 54 games: .611

VM Replies: Your antagonistic persistence is kind of endearing.

[Hoofheartz]

Flipped over to the Comedy network to watch a repeat of Big Bang Theory. Infinetly better than watching the little firecracker theory on TSN.

VM Replies: Oh, Hoofheartz. We live in end times.

[Hoofheartz]

Think I'll scoot on over to the habs Inside/Out, oh wait, I dont give a flying f*** about the habs so why would I waste my time? Unlike some pathetic trolls who shall remain....er...um, pathetic trolls.

[Leaf shredder / Kid Delicious]

Poor you Hoofer. Stay myopic.

[Gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Geesh... so this is what I'm missing during the game? I was a little late in getting home from an exam; tuned in the half the second and it's 2-0? Arggh! Sadly Giggy looked a little anemic tonight, as did Captain P. But all-around a horrible effort (except for the few bright spots that have been impressing all season).

...oh and best comedy on TV right now is a little show called "Community"