Game 29: Five Lessons For The Week Ahead

People, the malls are insane today. I lasted about 45 minutes among the horde of elbowing shoppers before retreating home empty handed.

You win this time, Eaton Centre! But I shall try again next week! (Except you, H&M. You are a freakish vortex of teenage commotion and I won’t try you again.)

A few very late and very random thoughts about last night's 3-1 win over Montreal:

Now, look. I don't make excuses when the Leafs sleep-skate or bumble their way through abysmal first periods. So I'm not inclined to justify the Habs' sloppy, groggy performance.

After a tough game against Detroit on Friday, did the visitors look ready for a nap instead of a scrap? Yes. Was Alex Auld the goaltending equivalent of Mr. T to Carey Price's Robert De Niro? Sure.

But you know what? I don't care. I don't pity the fools.

The Leafs have encountered an endless parade of red-hot goalies all season long. They have faced many teams that were ready to rumble. So let's chalk up last night's anomaly to an inexplicable balancing-out mechanism in the universe and leave it at that.

The good news: Toronto beat Boston, Washington and Montreal over the past week. The bad news: Despite earning 6 of 10 points against top Eastern teams, the Leafs remain 9 points out of a playoff spot.

In short: Even a stretch of .600 hockey did not change the relative standings.

But let's just focus on the good news on this rainy Sunday afternoon. Let's just seize upon the positives as the Leafs embark on their first Western Canada road trip of the season with upcoming games against Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

Here now, Five Lessons Learned From The Past Week For The Week Ahead (From The Broken Record Collection):

1. SHOOT, D-MEN, SHOOT

I won't lie to you: At 10:35 of the first period last night, when a streaking Tomas Kaberle took a nice pass from Fredrik Sjostrom and fired a low, hard shot past a comatose Auld, I nearly tumbled out of my seat.

What? Kaberle shot the puck? He didn't slam on the brakes and attempt a doomed give-and-go with Sjostrom? He didn't attempt a blind drop pass from the slot?

It was a good reminder to all backend corps: Shoot!

It was Kaberle's first goal of the season. Against Boston a week earlier, Carl Gunnarsson picked up his first. If the Leafs are to succeed with this roster, they need more offensive production from the blueline.

2. START WITH ANGER TO AVOID ENDING WITH SADNESS

I still don't understand what happened last night between Clarke MacArthur and Jaroslav Spacek. That was weird.

I gather they were roommates in Buffalo at one point. So maybe Spacek was really messy or really loud or really annoying. Maybe he made fun of MacArthur’s hair in the morning. I don't know.

But in the first, after a harmless looking collision, MacArthur morphed into a madman. He threw off his gloves and chased down his old teammate the way a hungry lion chases down an injured gazelle.

Then he rained blows down on Spacek, as if a voice in his head was shouting: Clarke! This is the guy who threw waffles at everyone! Beat him! Beat him senseless! Beat him for those waffles!

The lesson? The Leafs fare considerably better when pugnacity, testosterone, truculence and belligerence are not afterthoughts after it's already too late.

3. STOP WORRYING ABOUT SCORING THE FIRST GOAL

This is counterintuitive, especially considering the Leafs record when scoring first compared to not scoring first.

But I've changed my mind.

Every team in the NHL has a 50 per cent chance of scoring first. So if you invest too much psychological energy into scoring first and you don't, you end up creating an entirely unnecessary mental deficit.

Hey, Leafs! Yes, it would be great if you scored first every game. But you didn't score first against Boston or Washington and you won.

The lesson: Play lethally hard for 60 minutes and the first goal will rarely kill you.

4. RELAX, KESSEL, RELAX

Before the game against Philadelphia, the cameras caught Phil Kessel sitting in the room and looking rather morose. He was slumped over in deep thought. He was tugging at his hair with the acute frustration of an atheist in the Bible belt.

It was hard not to feel sorry for the guy.

But here's my theory after 29 games: He doesn't thrive under pressure. He doesn't suck up adversarial dirt and spit out diamonds. When the going gets tough, when fingers are pointed in his direction, Kessel simply stops skating and shooting.

He vanishes into his own personal hell.

Hockey players are no different than the rest of us. Some need a kick in the pants to succeed. Some need to be praised and encouraged and mollycoddled even when things aren't going great.

Kessel, I suspect, belongs to the latter group.

So here's a crazy idea: Let's stop analyzing The Trade. It's over. It is what it is. Let's stop thinking about him as a superstar saviour who will single-handedly win games for us.

Some nights, maybe he will. But most nights, probably he won't.

Let's just lower our expectations and let this guy relax long enough to score as he was at the start of the season.

I know this sounds like I'm letting him off the hook. But the truth is, Phil Kessel is the only sniper on this team. And he's a sniper without a reliable set-up man.

Me, I'm hereby cutting him some slack.

5. KEEP COLBY ARMSTRONG OUT OF HARM'S WAY

The Leafs are a completely different team when Armstrong is in the line-up. Is this a coincidence? I have no idea.

But just in case it's not, I shall conclude this post with a heartfelt plea to the training staff: Keep this guy healthy. Please.

Pump him full of Cold FX in the mornings. Don't let him walk across wet floors unsupervised. Test every joint and bone in his body 12 times a day. For crying out loud, store him in a cryogenic chamber between games and thaw him out two hours before the puck drops.

Go West, you magnificent Leaf bastards. Go West and win the next three games.

PHOTO: TARA WALTON/TORONTO STAR

Comments

[Hoofheartz]

VM: I only have one thing to say, GIFT CARDS!. No fuss, no muss, no bother and best of all the recipient can't complain about receiving pink leotards when he really wanted lime green.

VM Replies: I'm usually right with you on the gift cards. But my wife thinks we need to put some "thought" into our gift-giving this year. Maybe you could talk to her?

[Hoofheartz]

Lets face it my friend, regardless of what we do there's a better than even money chance that we will be wrong, so go with the new vacuum cleaner and gift cards next year will be better than diamonds.

[KWood19]

Couldn't agree more with you about Kessel and Armstrong. When Kessel is happy and has a smile on his face, he's scoring goals and playing great. Everyone just needs to shut up and let him play. Armstrong is an absolutely hilarious dude who plays with the exact mentality Burke wants his boys to play with. If we have to deep freeze him to keep him healthy, I'll chip in myself to help buy the lab to do it in!

[Robert]

Magnificent? Wow

[oakville_girl]

ha ha ha. LOVE your post today Vinay. I came home from my evening out, after managing to avoid the highlights on the tv's in the pub where we were. I put on the game, and fast forwarded through some of the game, but caught the McArthur/Spacek thing. Truly a whalin' madman. I think that Spacek had slewfooted McArthur along the boards and then after the faceoff McArthur went after him. Bizarre.

Random thought - why does that picture of Kessel make me think of the little kid in the dressing room that never had any help getting dressed for a game? Sloppy laces, ripped pants, sagging socks... LOL

VM Replies: You may have a point about that picture. Never thought of it that way.

[WS]

VM: Thanks for the great posts, you're an amazing, gifted writer - and the fact that you bring it to a column that actually can be positive at times (when it's deserved!), is definitely welcomed. You often write exactly what I think/feel, except smarter, funnier, wittier and better thought out.

VM Replies: That's very kind of you, WS. Thanks.

[Igor]

I saw what happened before fight of MacArthur and Jaroslav Spacek. I saw it first time and I was lucky to put the game on recording(thanks Rogers) so I can see it over and over. Jaroslav attemted a blind hit and it was very scary hit. That hit was before their collision seconds later(MacArthur tried retaliation)- that's why nobody understands how such a small collision could lead to such a fight. Jaroslav's hit was very dirty, but you hardly could see it guys, because on a screen it was in a very low right corner. He was targeting the head, don't ask me why. Maybe not really thinking too much. MacArthur was lucky, but obviously got very angry. I would too. I actually thought his season was over. I hope the league would have a second look and suspend Jaroslav for attempted dirty hit.

VM Replies: Ah, now it all makes sense. My brother sent me this clip last night from the Montreal feed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd1sFrSpHbk&feature=related

The hit on MacArthur happens at the 0.06 second mark, along the boards.

[Nik Culoman]

let's put last week into perspective shall we...If someone told you the Leafs would squueze out 6 of the possible 10 points out of the top teams in the conference..You would all would have said yeah right...Not this team...

Now that they have done just that, there are people who still can't give this team credit for their success....Vinay does a great job at bringing humour to what has become a difficult season. However, most of you hop on to talk radio after each loss and grip....and complain....Some may say, well the teams the Leafs beat well, they were having off nights...But does that truly matter?? Where in the standings does it say anything about the other team having a bad night?? If that were the case the league standings would be flipped upside down, with many of the lower seeded teams having off nights more times than good nights would earn more points for each win....No one remembers how the games was played...We just remember the wins/points earned in the standings.

It is sad to see how quickly insanity and not logic and understanding has taken a hold....I think Damian Cox has a great read on this very topic... I for one say...Let the kids play, ride out the bumps in the road...You the fans will be reward for your loyalty and support.

Andy Frost the radio personality says it best...After each loss his lines are buzzing...After each win no one cares to call....How much loyalty and "fan"manship is there if that is the case?

VM Replies: The frustration (at least for me) is that, once again, a hole was dug before Christmas.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Good points all Vinay. The bad news about going .600 last week is that we gained no ground, but the good news is we didn't lose any either.The playoffs may be very difficult to get and most would argue unlikely. I for one am not optimistic but certainly believe it is acheiveable. However a 3 game western swing will slam the door shut or put a foot in the door. Lose 2 and they are done, lose one and the door begins to close. I believe they must have 3 wins on this road trip to really have any hope of being a significant contender for a playoff spot. They need to be at most 6 points back at the end of the week and have passed a team or 2 in the standings. If not the next 3 months will simply be a fight to give Boston as low a draft pick as possible.
Nice wins last week but this week is a new test for them.

VM Replies: Bang on, Bomber. We've reached the point in the season in which the schedule gets broken into a series of mini-schedules and critical tests.

[leafland'r]

Vinay, I just wasn't myself all day Sunday. Searched for the blog many times during the day. Boasted to a friend about what VM would write about Saturday's game. Couldn't find anything! Gasp!
Whew, found something on Monday morning. I'm feeling better, thanks.
Gotta' go. Need to call the friend to say your post Saturday game blog is up....make his day.

VM Replies: Sorry for the delayed post yesterday.

[We BeLeaf]

Hi Vinay,
You know reading your blog first thing in the morning is better than having a Tim Horton's coffee! Very nice pictures with the gun and the dog, but I can't figure out the carrot. Agreed on all the points listed except for point 3, because when it all boils down to it, the team would be much better off having the goal advantage than trying to come from behind. I believe that we can take 2 of 3 on this road trip, but it will be tough to do so. In any case, surge on you magnificent bastards!

Cheers to all in Leaf Nation!

VM Replies: I couldn't think of a good way to illustrate the Kessel point. So I went with a carrot (playing on the "carrot versus stick" idiom for reward/punishment). Sorry if it wasn't clear! (Actually, sorry if it's still not clear.)

[Melis V]

Missed the game on Saturday. Perhaps that's why they won? No more of this sitting in my special spot on the couch or wearing my leaf socks and blue wig, willing them with all my might to win! No, the key to their success is me simply just ignoring them! Who knew? Thanks for the great post Vinay! You made our morning here at the office!

PS: My little Brother is one of the punk Teenagers working at H&M in the Eaton's Centre. They definitely do not speak "Leaf" in there. Best to avoid that area year round!

VM Replies: Thanks for the H&M warning.
I wonder what would happen if you and oakville_girl never watched another game. Would they make the playoffs? Would they win the Cup?

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

the quote on the perseverance poster is bang on. Sadly, the storm has been raging for too long now. However, the main pic of Kessel jabbing Kaberle says it all about the attitude of the team: win, and they are ecstatic; (lose, and they are like little tots who've just been scolded). Oh, the hab fan in the background is a nice touch, biting his nails thinking "how am I gonna get outta this place while keeping my ego in tact and jersey dry." A quote from another blog put it correctly: "watching the game [saturday night] at a local bar which turns the lights down for optimal viewing on the TV. After the game was over and the lights came back on, all the hab fans could be seen scurrying to the exits leaving their drinks and croissants half eaten like the 'roaches that they are." (I'm assuming they didn't pay their bills either; the icing on the cake).

[Nik Culoman]

But, no one really expected this team to make the playoffs, or at best squeek in at 8th position. I know Burke said that this team would make the playoffs....But what would the reaction truly and honestly had been if he said we would be out for another year...This city has no patience, they ask for a rebuild and we have one of the youngest teams in the league (shared with Colorado), Had Burke said we would be out again, the fans would be screaming...The same things they are now....and that the GM didn't care to win...That this organization doesn't care to win....All that nonsense.

We are def. rebuilding, there are some serious prospects that are in the system and currently on the team. This team has 9 former first round picks in their roster....Which is telling enough that this team may have turned a corner...Time will need to pass and if things still need to improve Burke won't sit on his hands...I think he has another huge January planned for this team...MARK MY WORDS ;)

This team wants to win...Just has been mismanaged on the whims of its fans until Burkie arrived...I think Burke has done and will continue to do a great job....But you can't build a winner over night....

[Nik Culoman]

Just checked the standings...The Leafs are almost 9th in the conference...With games on hand with a couple of the teams above them...One win and they jump a few spots....I would like to apologize for my ignorance at not knowing where they stood in the standings....

BUT....if someone had told me that they would be right in contention where all the hockey gurus said they would be..I would be happy...If they win tomorrow, they leap frog Ottawa to name one team....

Who would really take the Hens roster over that Burke has assembled.....I am interested in seeing how this week pans out for the Leafs...another 2/3 week which is possible, would see them right in the thick of things in the East..

This team can and will beat Calgary.....Edmonton should be an win as well...This team will come out gunning after being spanked at home..Vancouver might be not what the dr. ordered...But this young team seems to come out big against good teams.....

I am happy where this team is going, even If I don't currently like where they stand right now...

I BELEAF!! I BELEAF!! I beleaf!!

VM Replies: The logjam after Atlanta (with 35 points) is definitely interesting. Carolina, Buffalo and Ottawa all have 28 points. The Leafs and Florida have 26 points. So there are five teams fighting for a playoff spot that are now separated by 2 points. (I’m just grateful for geography – if the Leafs played in the West they would now be in dead last.)

[E.M.]

He was tugging at his hair with the acute frustration of an atheist in the Bible belt.
Keep these quotes comming Vinay, and I think you're on your way to the Toronto Blogging Hall of Fame!

[oakville_girl]

Vinay, as I mentioned in one of my earlier comments, I would be happy to take one for the team, and not watch another game live (I will record it for later viewing)

If this is what it takes to get them into the playoffs, I *gasp* think I can do it *biting nails* If they make it into the playoffs though, all bets are off. No way can I not watch the games live.....

Do you think the West coast road trip will be harder than facing their Eastern rivals?

VM Repies: I do think it's going to be a tough trip. There will be no shortage of Leaf fans at every game out West. But this always seems to fire-up the home side. Just glanced at my media guide and was somewhat shocked to read the following: 1. The Leafs last win in Calgary was Dec. 27, 2002. 2. The Leafs last win in Edmonton was Nov. 13, 2008. 3. The Leafs last win in Vancouver was Nov. 22, 2003.

[Nik Culoman]

All the "ifs" shouldn't matter Vinay, Toronto is in the East....and find themselves in the running for 8th place in the East if they can have a successful road trip this week. In the East the teams appear a little weaker thus making the playoffs in the East a lot easier....

If they can climb the standings in the East, than their placing in the overall standings improve as well. The Leafs need to win at the clip that they have recently, and if they can...The East isn't a hard conference to gain a playoff spot in.

The leafs have to run up the standings in the East no matter what the teams in the West are doing.......

VM Replies: Screw all this hockey talk, Nik Culoman! We are now friendly with each other. That's the real story here.

[Nik Culoman]

I know hahhahahaha Any headway on that Leaf's prospects blog??? That Nicholls and McKeeg kid seem like real finds by Burke and Co.

VM Replies: I have a good list of kids in the system. Now I need to find a bit of time. Next week, when there's a break in the schedule for Christmas, might give us a chance to collaborate. But I also have to get The Leafs Memory Project going... so, who knows. Maybe we wait on this for now and see what happens with this season.

[Nik Culoman]

Cool, I think with all the doom and gloom we need some sunshine! hahahahahah

[Ken Baumgartner]

Nik, Brian Burke did not actually say they would make the playoffs. All he ever said, and he is sure to let it be known, is that the goal is to make the playoffs. If they don't then the season is a failure. This he said the first year he got here and has maintained that ever since. Dion Phaneuf said the same and said failure to do so is unacceptable. As far as I am concerned, yes I expect them to make the playoffs because failure to do so is an unaccomplish, unacceptable goal by the standards of the managenent and players so why shouldn't it be for fans? Fans expecting less than that is letting the team off the hook regardless of their age. It's the NHL, they get paid to perform, they expect it, and Brian Burke has said in the past that he needs to accelerate rebuilding in this market, so the team is young but it is in an accelerated rebuild.

[Nik Culoman]

My point was no one really expected this team to make the playoffs this year....They were expected to finish between 9th-13th. in the conference and that is still obtainable and easy to accomplish.

My point is, we need to expected a delayed turn around...Burke like I have said many times before had nothing to work with when he arrived in town. Sundin, Kabernot, and ect....Weren't waiving their no trade clause so the deals that may have brought a more accelerated rebuild were put on hold.

Yes, not making the playoffs would be a disappointment...However when we are talking about a team that finished 2nd last.....Finishing 9-13 in the conference, and lower in the draft would be mean success...Even if it is a minor...A team must learn to walk before it runs...

I am of the belief ( sorry for the pun), that the loosing of this season will only reap benefits as this team matures and grows together...Chicago had some rough years, as did the Penguins...Why not give this group of players the same patience and support that the Sundin lead teams received??

I have never been a Sundin fan, and I think he was a big fish in a small pool of talent which did nothing for this team. Let these guys work through their issues, because I think Burke has something goin with this team with a little more tinckering...

[Ken Baumgartner]

I disagree in that Brian Burke, Dion Phaneuf and the rest of the team expect to make the playoffs. All the pundits in the world can say what they want, those guys are the guys who set the expectation. If it is their goal so should it be ours. I support the team without question and see a lot of promise but a team with promise and makes the playoffs is in a better position to advance than one with promise and out of the playoffs.
At no time did Brian Burke say that not trading those assets slowed down his accelerated re-build. Was he even here when Sundin was here? With Kaberle he has always maintained that keeping him is an acceptable option towards the rebuild, that hasn't slowed the progress. In fact he has said the up side is at the end of his contract he indeed gains an asset; cap space. I am paitient, with the teams progress because I have no choice. I don't make a single decision except that when they are 9 points out of a playoff spot, which is a bigger mountain than you realize, I get to decide to cheer for them, or not, as well as remind them of the goals they set for themselves on this blog even though they are quite aware of it.
By the way Vinay, thank you for this blog because it is fun communicating with leafs fans as opposed to always trying to defend myself with leafs bashers.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I agree with Ken: we have to remember that this is Burke's third year with the team and that although a lot of people talk of a "five-year" plan, that is not acceptable for a sports franchise. Now I don't expect a Stanley Cup every year (yikes, especially as a Leaf fan), but I do expect the team to be competitive and strive for excellence (this means battling for a playoff spot). So when I hear "five-year plan" I ask myself, "what am I supposed to do for those first 4 years?" Turn the TV off and say "I'll see ya in 5?" For the last three (going on four now) the Leafs' record has been abysmal finishing 12th, 12th, and 15th in the East.

Even in what I had considered (until the Lock-out) the "dark days" for the Leafs (1997-1998), it only took Sundin and co. two years to turn a non-playoff team into a cup-contender (some may say it's a stretch but in the 1999 playoffs when the Leafs rode into the semi-finals, many analysts believed they could end their cup drought that year). If you take a look at their roster from that season (98-99) there was nothing special past Sundin (and perhaps CuJo), he was the only "poin-per-game" player on the Leafs. The rest was a supporting cast of Steve Thomas and the likes of Sergei Berezin, Derek King, and so forth. So I must say, I do expect more from this team.

[Pyramid Power]

Leafs prospects Jesse Blacker and Brad Ross just chopped from the Canadian world junior team. Back to Owen Sound for Blacker, and Portland for Ross. Too bad.

Tough luck Atlanta won last night in an OT game against the Hens. Hate those three point games involving playoff rivals.

HUGE game tonight against The Oil. They managed only 12 shots in their last game against the Canucks in a 2-1 loss with Eberle scoring in the last four seconds to avoid the shutout. Not good. They will be very motivated tonight for sure. Hope many Leaf fans come out to cheer us on in Phaneuf's return to his hometown as a Leaf and not a hated Flame.

This three game Western trip so very critical for us obviously. Pretty horrifying to read Vinay telling us the grim details of Leaf trips out West - last won in Edmonton in 2008, Calgary in 2002 and 'Couver in 2003. OUCH!

This will be our 30th game of the year, and I optimistically posted on a previous blog that we could be 15-11-4 with a win tonight. WRONG! Indeed I was looking at that ten game stretch from Game 20 with very very rose coloured shades on. A win tonight puts us at 12-14-4. We need two out of three on this trip, and of course hoping for a sweep or parlay on this voyage. Gonna be tough starting tonight.

Paajarvi, Eberle, Hall, Cogliano and a tough band of very young Oilers waiting for us, and they are in a playoff battle of their own.

Wonder if Wilson turns to Goose tonight or sticks with Giggy? We shall see. I think we can get to Dubnyk or The Bulin Wall and certainly hope we can build a lead and bring it home.

Win this one for Dion your captain guys!

GO LEAFS GO! THE MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS NEED TO GET ON A ROLL AFTER A TOUGH WEEK AND A GLORIOUS WIN AGAINST THE HATED HABS ON SATURDAY. AGAIN:

GO LEAFS GO! GO LEAFS GO! GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: I was wondering where Pyramid Power had gone! Nearly boarded a flight for Shanghai to investigate. Yes, big game tonight. I'm tied up with non-Leafs work (sigh) this morning. So thanks (everyone) for keeping the discussion going...

[We BeLeaf]

Hey PP!

Good to see your posts again my friend! I too was wondering where you were, but I just figured that you were out celebrating amongst the masses the glorious victory by those magnificent bastards! Remember the Maple Leaf forever!!!
Cheers!

[Nik Culoman]

This post by gettingcozywithsarkozy at 12/14/2010 at 08:10 AM only proves the point why Burke made the trade for Kessel, and why some in the media and fans alike say..THERE CAN'T BE A TRUE REBUILD in Toronto unlike other cities because the fans have no patience for a real rebuild.

Never in the Leafs history have they ever completed or gone through a rebuild...Never...The fans and some in the media alike have forced the hand of the gms at the time to find patch work.....They brought in over aged vets to fill gaps...and Yes, they made the playoffs...But at what cost???

They traded away Boyes, Tukka Rask, ect........What did that do?? Yes, the media spoke of a rebuild through the years...But never has a GM actually gutted the team that was given to him like Burke...

The farm system is starting to look stronger and more competitive than ever, The free agent signings of Bozak, Hanson, The Monster, Jussi Rynas, Armstrong, Mike Brown with the drafting of D'Amigo, Kadri, Blacker, McKeeg, Nicholls, Brad Ross, ect. give hope that the future will be brighter....How about the trades?? Phanuef, Aulie, Freddy S, ect.....What does Calgary have to show for that trade???? Where is Calgary now????

Yes some mistakes were made....But which GM hasn't overspent on a player or two in this time and lived to regret it?? This team is going in the right direction despite what we may see now....This current roster has 9 nine former first round picks.....Most if not all of those are under the age of 26......So patience is the key....

So yes, a 5 year plan needs to be in place to build this organization from the ground up.....The front office and coaching staff looks solid....The Marlies have turned a corner and have become a source of talent and source of competition on the big club, the Leafs are starting to gel and come together.

Nothing was built over night...Burke needed to fix years of mismanagement and entitlement. I for one, Like where this team is going...Even if the road to success is slow and winding.

[Pyramid Power]

Hey WeBeLeaf! I hope you are well sir. Did you catch that ongoing bet I have at other hockey threads, and being called "God" by a Habs fan after Saturday's game? LOL

Two times so far this year I have been called by that naughty young lady from Toronto who just adores those loathesome Canadiens. I love it! And having to say she hates the Canadiens and pledge allegiance to the glorious blue and white forever was just icing on the proverbial cake.

Of course I had to do that once so far this year, but hopefully in the three games we have left with Montreal I will begin having delusions of grandeur after being called God three more times. LOL

Yes, mi amigo I have been out on the roads, highways and biways here converting the masses to the Leafs. Celebrating and converting, celebrating and converting. A tough road ahead of me, but it takes time to get 1.3 billion people worshipping the blue and white as opposed to money and the party. lol

Seriously, out of action for awhile because of work duties on the weekends and then all night Monday NFL football benders keep me away from everything pretty well for about three days.

Got some good news today though and might be able to watch the Leafs and Canucks do battle on Saturday. I surely hope so.

Gotta stop Penner, Gagner and the gang tonight. I heard Hemsky and Horcoff might be out tonight. Have you heard anything? Any idea who we are starting in nets tonight?

Cheers to all here, great posts, and hey oakville girl, please do not watch the game tonight! lol

Vinay doing non-Leaf work? I am writing his overseers at One Yonge immediately to lodge a complaint. He does enough for the Star with this blog dammit! :)

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I don't believe Burke made the Kessel trade because of the pressure to "win now while throwing away the future." I truly do believe that he traded for Kessel because he though the team in place (September 2009) actually had a chance to compete (Toskala was supposed to up his play as a result of getting a push from the newly acquired Monster, Stajan was supposed to finally blossom into a leader, the line of Grabo-Kuli-Hagman was showing promise while the college line of hanson-bozak-stalberg was supposed to push the regulars for starting positions, and the D was bolstered by the additions of Komi and Beauch). Never did he envision finishing next to "dead last" and giving away Seguin.

But you miss my point, I don't mind being patient for a cup (God knows I've been patient ever since I first watched Dougie and Davey lighting the lamps back in the early 90s) as long as: 1. the outcome of the rebuild will actually represent a realistic contender -- can you seriously tell yourself that this team looks like it is shaping up to compete in another 2-3 years [the end of the "5-year plan"] with the heavy-hitters like the Pens (who will still have Malkin, Staal, oh and that boy from Cole Harbour who will not even have peaked by then), or the flyers who will still have a good foundation of young talent in Carter, Giroux, and Richards (lets not forget the ever dangerous Caps and I haven't even gotten into the West yet) and 2. (as I mentioned previously) they remain competitive in the "off-years" -- what would the league look like if every team decided to throw seasons (which I'm not saying Leaf management is doig purposely) while keeping their eyes only on future years where they may be able to have a serious run or two? To a certain extent this is already happening as Chicago built up their roster over the last 6 or 7 years to have a "one-and-done" run at the cup (yes, I do believe it will be EXTREMELY difficult for them to repeat this year; I would infact put about 5 teams ahead of them that I believe would be more likely to win the cup this year). If every team did this, we would be left every year with one team expecting to win the cup because of their stacked line-up while the other clubs would wait their turn as their "5 year plans" came to fruition. This just isn't my kind of hockey.

[Pyramid Power]

Aahhhhhh Giggy is starting for Toronto and The Bulin Wall is going for the Oilers. Hemsky and Horcoff are indeed out, or listed as out at any rate.

Man, I had obliterated the horrible memory of just how badly we got waxed by Edmonton before last week. 5-0 at the ACC on Dec. 2nd! OUCH! They knocked Goose outta the game, Hall scored two and Khabibulin was phenomenal.

That mad Russian goalie is now 4-0 against the Leafs in his last four starts against us, and has posted a sterling 1.99 GAA. That has got to change tonight.

It is PAYBACK TIME!

GO GET 'EM YOU MAGNIFICENT BASTARDS! SKATE LIKE THE WIND, HIT EVERYTHING THAT MOVES AND JUST WIN BABY!

GO LEAFS GO! GO LEAFS GO! GO LEAFS GO!

[Pyramid Power]

@gettingcozywithsarkozy Are you really Carla Bruni? I had no idea you were a Leafs fan. Incroyable!

Been meaning to ask you that for awhile now. Just jesting bien sur. Love reading your insights and thoughts on all things Leaf.

[Nik Culoman]

@ gettingcozywithsarkozy, this is what I see happening...The Pens will have difficulty signing Malkin, Crosby and some of their other young talent....Rememebr We are in a Salary Cap year and the Pens won't be able to keep all that talent without having to pay the huge salaries. Philly will be in the same situation.....Washington may loose Semin this summer, and I am sure there are many more teams at the cap ceiling as well that find themselves above the Leafs in the standings.

We still don't know what we have this group, You won't know if this was successfull or not until the 5 years are done. This team is in progress, and with the group of prospects in the minors and in the juniors I am of the opinion that the up swing for this Team, maybe not this group, but the team will happen.

Player movements through free agency happen all the time, this summer could be an interesting one with Semin and maybe Richards going on the open market....Do I think the Leafs will go after them if they hit the market probably...Will they sign them I don't know...My point is things change so quickly and so much with the cap and teams looking for cap relief that anything is possible in the improvement of this group of Leafs.

I doubt Burke is happy with the current results, and isn't sitting on his hands and doing nothing. Even with his own trade freeze in effect, I am sure he is working the phones to see what is available and what can be done in January.

A rebuild process is a slow and steady one......Pens went through some lean years when they almost lost their team, Chicago had many lean years until they saw success and I am sure their fans weren't all over the team like the fans are in Toronto.

I get it...Everyone wants to win..But what good is it if we continue the patch work of previous GM'S??? What did that bring us?? Why not finally try a proper rebuild, why not try to sign free young prospects no matter channel we do it...Be it the draft, Europe, College, Juniors....Build a core of talent that this team can draw from....

Build the basket of prospects in the marlies, and than pluck the ones with potential and skill and drop the others.....That is what Burke has done, This team has 9 former 1st round draft picks...That isn't something to ignore....We have seen 25 new players come on board, so growing pains will need to be overcome and chemistry is something this team will need to develope.

Vinay, please write that blog on prospects, because many people don't know what is coming up in the system.....Highlite the Marlies as well...That team has lit on fire as of late. This Leafs franchise is in better shape going forward than it ever was...Patience is the key....

[oakville_girl]

Just wanted to let everyone know that I will not be watching the game live tonight. I will be taping it to watch later.

Will this be the equivalent of the 1976 pyramid power for the leafs or might this actually work? (yes, I actually remember that. That is how long I have been a Leafs fan)

Regardless, go west young men, and bring home the points!

I BeLeaf!

[Simon]

Thank you oakville_girl. I am honoured by your commitment and sacrifice. To help with your endeavour, I will find my good luck Bobby Baun card that my Dad carried when I had a broken hand while playing net.

[We BeLeaf]

Ah PP, I see you've made it back to post here again! I was looking to fire off an email to ya, but don't have your address. Great to hear about you converting the masses! Maybe you need to convince the PRC to build a few rinks, then start your own league and within a few years, they'll rival the KHL....maybe even the NHL! I been staying away from the other site mainly due to idiocy and hatred going on in there, but did catch the tributes made to you and the Leafs. Absolutely classic man! I can guarantee that there will be more to come, my friend. Anyways, this west coast swing will be tough, and Vinay's stats on their record out there isn't good, but I really think we need to take 2 of 3. Cheers to you and the good people in Leaf Nation!

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Nik: I understand what you say and yes, I do believe it's worth something that the current team has 9 former 1st rounders on the roster (let's just hope the 9 don't amount to the equivalent of Luke Richardson, Jeff Ware, Brandon Convery, drake berehowsky, Eric Fichaud, Luca Cereda, Jiri Tlusty, scott pearson, and scott thronton --- all former first rounders). My desire is that the team compete. However, if in "5 years" you can 99.99% guarantee me a cup parade down yonge street I will sleep happy as I have the fear (as I'm sure many leaf fans do) that I will be long gone before the next... (I've refrained from saying it so I do not jinx it).

Pyramid: Likewise, I enjoy your banters on other boards as well (yahoo comes to mind, as does TSN?) However, I have no affiliation to the french head of state or any of the people of france (nor do I pretend to be one of them like those "freres" of ours north of the rideau canal) aside from being forced to learn the language from grades 1 through 8. The "sarkozy" moniker stems from a Simpsons episode last season (I held it on TSN for a while until I forgot the password to both my profile and the "fake" email I created to access it). However, it is nice to escape the mindless rants and immature chants of "1967" and "plan the parade" on other boards form lesser fans and bask in the serenity of a forum dedicated to the only team worth cheering for.

[Nik Culoman]

@ gettingcozywithsarkozy Do you really think that the 9 players the leafs have in their roster a couple of which have a stanley cup pedigree can be compared to the nine you listed? Really?? You can go back and name many leafs over the years that have done nothing...But that isn't who is on this team, you can't even compare that bunch with this bunch....

That is like comparing the Hawks of today, with the lowly sad bunch before Toews and Kane arrived.....I am not saying the Leafs have a Kane or Toews...But you never know until you allow these kids time to develope...We have seen far too many years of patch work....when the foundation was cracked....

If you have a house that has a poor foundation, cracking all over the place, leaking beyond belief, and walls and a roof that are leaking and cracked...Do you go out and buy some wall paper to cover things up?? Well that's what Quinn, Fletcher, JFJ, Ken Dryden, ect....Have done all these years, they have patched up a line up and through it on the ice...

Burke has torn this bloody house down....Down to the footing and is in the process of building this house back up from the foundation (Marlies, Juniors, Prospect signing from College, ect.), He has since built some strong framing in Kessel, Phanuef, Kadri, Bozak, Armstrong, ect....Individually can't do it on their own but with the right exterior pieces can form a strong house.

Building a home/ renovating one...and Creating a winning hockey team are the same in that you build from the bottom up.....That success and strength will carry you into years to come.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Nik: For the sake of my sanity, and that of Leaf fans everywhere, I hope you're right

...now lets get down to business and seek some revenge against the oils tonight (another team that will be powerful a few years down the road).

[Nik Culoman]

@ gettingcozywithsarkozy have you looked into the Leafs prospects in the Minors and Jr's?? Have you looked up Jussi Rynnas, McKeeg, Nicholls, Blacker, Kenny ryan, ect..?? McKeeg has been OHL player of the Month 2 or 3 times this year....

All I ask is for people to inform themselves before buying into all the negativity that holds no water when you compare it to reality.

Vinay and I will be joining forces sometime soon to bring you the news, the stats, and the potential of the players that are in the system....

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

I am quite aware of the prospects on the marlies (I probably don't get as much exposure to them here in the metro-detroit area as somebody in Toronto would) as I have high hopes for McKeeg and Rynnas (D'amigo looked real good at the world juniors a year ago), but we must remember, while they are good prospects, they are still PROSPECTS and I don't believe they are the brightest in all the AHL so I won't count my chickens before their hatched.

[Nik Culoman]

That's why I made the point to say...The leafs are building from the ground up, setting themseves up with a basket of prospects....Some will rise to the top, and others will go by the waste side....

But never before was the basket this full, and never did the basket have this much potential.....But you have to give the players time to develope....No more quick fixes......People were saying the same thing about Brad Boyes.....We don't know what we have...He is just a prospect....Now look, how good would he look right now in the blue and white???

Before passing judgement or even believing the worst...Give the guys a chance to show you what they have......This a desease in Toronto, where negativity takes hold....No player no matter how well they are doing are good enough......

The New Jersey Devils have a strong farm system most would contend...How many of their prospects do you think have flopped over the years??? Plenty, I am sure...What makes their system so strong and effective is the pure amount of players they have to choose from....That's where guys like Zajac, Clarkson, Parise, ect come from...But for everyone of them...I am sure there was 100's that never made it...

The point once again is.It's a numbers game...The leafs have 4 potential Goalie prospects...What does that tell you?? They have options to trade from a side of strength and still be left with 2 or 3 to choose from for the big team, than they cut the guys that don't make it..

There are players the Leafs can choose from, their farm system looks brighter and further developing and growing thus the future looks bright......Kadri, Kessel, Phaneuf, Scheen, Aulie, Bozak, Kulemin...are already on the team....So I will contend time and patience will begin to give us fruit.

[Pyramid Power]

Good stuff here from We BeLeaf, Sarkozy and Nik Culoman. Will joyfully join the fray and get into some serious Leaf chatter with you all soon enough.

Am not on TSN boards Sarko, but am very very occasionally on Yahoo threads as is We BeLeaf. Too much foolishness going on there. Many fans have no clue what Pyramid Power is so that kinda hides my affiliation to my team, but no matter what I am staying away from there now for the most part because as you saw with We BeLeaf's comments - too much hatred and loathing for the Leafs there. And just insane freaks.

Surprised you are not a Wings fan living where you do.

Glad you will not be watching tonight Oakville Girl, and invoking Red Kelly and the power of the pyramid. Like Simon I too am honoured by your commitment, dedication and ceaseless sacrifice for the greater good here.

My Buddhist statue is out now in front of my computer. About to go hunting down a site to watch this game at from over here across the pond.

Will be on here tonight fairly often relieving tension and calling what I see. Hope others join me.

Red alert, red alert, Mr. Moe Green please report to A LFB immediately please. Thank you. TG77, Tom and others also needed back here for in game calls, levity, observations etc...

GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: The play-by-play booth is yours, sir. I believe Moe Green said the last game was his "breakup" game. So we may have lost him until September. But I am here with my coffee, my notepad and my Kordic jersey.

[Pyramid Power]

Catching a bit of the Philly-Pittsburgh game now on ESPN.
Love this anonymous quote they have there between ads and the actual games:

"When hell freezes over I'll play hockey there too." LOL Excellent.

[Vinay Menon]

Just want to make a note of Panel Predictions for tonight on Sportsnet: Daren Millard says it will end 4-2 Oilers. Bill Watters is going with 4-3 Oilers. And Nick Kypreos, God bless him, predicts a 3-1 Leafs finish.

[Pyramid Power]

Coffee, notepad and Kordic. Good stuff Vinay!

Will be sending you a pic of my Buddhist statue soon as you requested all of us to do for a possible future blog. Too bad about Moe. Hope he comes back.

That .897 save percentage of Giggy's has to go up tonight. I want it over .900 and a shutout or one goal at the most.

[Pyramid Power]

God bless Kipper! I say 3-2 Leafs.

Very choppy stream so far, hard to call this one or see what the heck is happening. Giggy doing well so far, but did not like that penalty by Army I believe for showing a little truculence after the whistle. Protecting Giggy though it would appear though and just being Army so cut him some slack.

Giggy! Another great save! Kill this penalty and let's go score some goals. Eberle and their kids so impressive.

[Pyramid Power]

Tremendous play and PHANEUF!!!!!! GOOOAAAAAAAAAAL!

What a play off the faceoff win, and then Kessel dangling to get Phaneuf a ONE TIMER and he got the shot off and on net. What a bomb! Khabibulin had no chance. Beautiful.

1-0 for God's team. Let's pour it on. Stay outta the box and limit the Oil.

VM Replies: The first 8 minutes: poetic.

[Pyramid Power]

Happy for Phaneuf scoring his first of the year in his hometown. Critical goal.

Loved the work done to get Schenn that chance, and jamming the front of the net on his shot. Almost made it 2-0.

Keep it up you magnificent bastards!

[Pyramid Power]

Sweet juking and jiving so far by Kessel. Like his play tonight.

Great pass by Brent to Sjostrom for another chance albeit from the outside. At least we have scored on The Bulin Wall already, and more to come.

Would be great to see Kaberle bag his second of the year. Beauchemin too. More scoring from our defencemen please.

VERY poetic Vinay. We're all over them and full value for a 1-0 lead.

[Pyramid Power]

Nice bit of passing by the young Oilers results in a goal. Man, did they ever leave Phaneuf spinning like a top on that play.

I think I see the Leafs bench staff trying to find him another jock strap after that. Beauchemin not much help either, but really, that was just a superb play by the Oiler kids.

Great energy in the building! LOTS of Leafs fans as always.

Nice save by Giggy on the Hall breakaway keeping it 1-1.

[Pyramid Power]

Great first period. Very entertaining. Kadri almost had his first ever near the end. Too bad.

Interesting goalie matchup tonight between two aging savvy veterans both with Cup rings. Khabibulin with personal problems, or had some with the drinking and back surgery woes. Jail time waiting for him in Arizona. Ouch! Cup ring with Tampa in 2004.

Giggy with a Cup ring in 2007 and a Conn Smythe in a losing effort with the Ducks in 2003 against Jersey.

Giggy playing to extend his career which I am sure he will after this year either here in Toronto or somewhere else. Khabibulin has this year and two more years left on his long-term deal with the Oilers that their management took a lot of flak for.

If Andrew Raycroft can extend his career and even flourish as he has done lately in Dallas with Lehtonen down then my goodness Giggy sure can. Hope he gets it done tonight for us. I think he will.

GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: That was definitely some good entertainment.

[Pyramid Power]

Pittsburgh finally lost a game! Good for Philly, and hope they keep it up tomorrow night in Montreal.

[Pyramid Power]

Nice play by Schenn jumping into the play. Versteeg fed him nicely in the slot but good block by Peckham.

Leafs off to our second PP now. Nasty elbow on Nasty Kadri for our first PP. Let's get one here.

Stream still very very choppy as the hockey world is here to watch our boys in blue and white win a critical game.

Oh, to be back in Toronto with a nice 60 inch TV and replays. Stortini in the bin for kneeing. Not nice Zach! :)

VM Replies: Grabbo scores on a sweet play. Have a seat, Stortini. I feel sorry for you! Your feed sounds horrible and it appears to be running a few minutes behind.

[Pyramid Power]

GREAT backchecking by Kessel on that shorthanded odd man rush by the Oilers. Good job Phil!

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRABOVSKI! GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

2-1 Leafs! MacArthur and Lebda with the assists. Great play and great goal on the PP. 2-1 Toronto! Beautiful!

GO LEAFS GO! GO GET ANOTHER ONE NOW!

[moe green]

Let's call Grabovski, Kulemin and MacArthur Gooooose. Watching a brilliant fight twixt Orr and Stortini. Who cares. Goooose! This Oilers team is way better tonight then the one that beat us 5-0 imo.

VM Replies: He's back! Awesome. I know you don't like the staged fights but that one was warranted and Orr was a magnificent beast.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

most people do get giddy when they find out I live in michigan: "you mean you're from detroit and you cheer for the Leafs and not the wings." I'll let you in on a secret: I'm actually a transplant from K-W.

...on a sidenote, I did enjoy the royal beating Orr just laid on Stortini. Also, is there any arena as bad as the oilers for tv camera placement? I mean, who's the smart guy that decided to put the main camera opposite the box instead of the players' bench?

VM Replies: K-W! My wife's family has roots there that go back generations.

[Pyramid Power]

Superb scrap by Stortini and Orr. Orr sends a message with fists of fury scrap that kneeing crap won't be tolerated, and bloodied up Stortini very nicely. Decision to Orr easily.

Love Orr smiling after every scrap as he heads to the box. That man just loves his job. Who doesn't love Colton?

McIntyre in the box now. Another PP.

Great game. Very, very entertaining. Hope much of Leaf Nation is awake for this one.

[moe green]

Can the LEafs actually win without scoring on this pp?

[moe green]

Now we must nail the coffin shut!

[Pyramid Power]

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL! VERSTEEG!!!!!

3-1 TORONTO WITH A MINUTE TO GO IN THE SECOND.

BEAUTIFUL! Leafs playing with passion and fire. Love it.

GO LEAFS GO!

[moe green]

... lots of nails. Use one of those power nailers. And glue.

[Pyramid Power]

Joey Bowey Bowen called it. "Flawless' second period by the Leafs and a two goal lead heading to the third.

GREAT to see Moe answering the bell and joining us. Sarkozy too! Outstanding gents.

Orr was indeed a magnificent beast in that scrap eh Vinay? We look good here, but 20 minutes to go and we need our defence and Giggy to bring this one home and put two much needed points in our bank account.

GO LEAFS GO! GO LEAFS GO!

VM Replies: That one of the second periods this season.

[moe green]

Hey PP, Vinay all. Guess I'd have to concede that Stortini needed a little "tuning." Still, I'd rather have Grabovski go at him. Win or lose the fight, the team wins! Question: Enuf nails in this one yet?

VM Replies: I don't want to jinx anything by answering your question.

[moe green]

Bad penalty - the "Captain" has to know better.

[Pyramid Power]

HOLY MACKINAW! VERSTEEG TO PHILTHY! GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL!

4-1 LEAFS! Great to see Phil getting it done for us, and all our Western lads doing a job in front of family and friends.

LEAFS!

[Pyramid Power]

Love the 'GO LEAFS GO' chants in Edmonton. Leaf Nation is a great nation that extends throughout Canada and across continents.

Remember working in a small town in deepest darkest Oman and cheering on the Leafs by radio with a couple of friends wearing our Leafs sweaters. No names on the back Vinay. Rip that Kordic off your sweater as much as we loved and love John, RIP, but it is a team game. lol Just jesting man.

Leafs got this one. Moving towards victory and revenge against the Oilers with a late 4-1 lead. Good for Giggy doing a job for us tonight in nets.

Hope Kadri is closely watching what Hall is doing tonight. Hall is a very special young hockey player and what Kadri should aspire to be.

[moe green]

I really don't understand the value of the fight. I guess it's entertaining if you like bare-knuckle fisticuffs during a hockey game. Me I'd rather see scantily-clad cheerleaders - or strippers. With logos painted on their chests of course. Or why not stick fights? Seriously, what is wrong with stick fights? Or why not have a UFC match after the game. Say Orr and Stortini. The point? The point is that what the fans want isn't, or shouldn't be, what determines what is or isn't a part of the game. If the fans get to decide, I vote for strippers!

But what I really want to know is what you tell your kids. Vinay, you said you have two four-year-olds. I'm sure others do too. What do you tell them when they see fighting in hockey? How do you distinguish between hockey and for example Football? Is it because it's fast? Is it because it has historical precedence? I am not trying to be a smartass, I really don't know how to justify it anymore.

VM Replies: Fortunately, I don't have to explain it to them because they have zero interest in hockey. Now, if Barbie and Cinderella ever got into a scrap, then I'd have some explaining to do.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

great effort, lets keep it going.

[Pyramid Power]

VICTORY! AWESOME! LOVE IT!

Phaneuf scoring the first goal in his hometown was a key point I thought. Got a lead and held it. We did that. And added to it. Giggy was great when he had to be.

A lot of desire showed tonight by our magnificent bastards, and it paid off. Work hard, make few mistakes, stay outta the box and we can win a lot more games this year and hopefully get back in the playoff race sometime soon.

Two games under .500 and hopefully two more wins in Calgary and Vancouver put us back where we really should be.

LEAFS!

[moe green]

Understood Vinay. Never had kids but I just don't knowwhat I'd say. I like fighting occasionally too, I just can't make a case for it anymore. I really loved the alternating "Go Leafs, Go, Let's go Oilers" chants. They did in sequence. It was awesome. Can the Leafs beat the horrible Flames? I think so. Phaneuf has to be cool - Fonzy cool. It's frightening to imagine lining up on the other side of Matt "NBC Page" Stajan and Nicklas "Icy Hot and Cold" Hagman." I hope Phaneuf doesn't accidentally cut someones head of with his stick. Will their be blood or tears? Both? Whose? Scary.

VM Replies: I can't wait for Thursday. Now I have to think of ways to get out of the Star's Christmas party that night.

[moe green]

What do you guys think about cheerleaders. Only one US team doesn't have them. I wonder who? I'd guess Rangers? So, cheerleaders yes or no? Why?

VM Replies: I'm just looking at pictures before writing tonight's post. There's a shot of an Oilers' cheerleader I'll make sure to include. Personally, it seems odd. But what do I know.

[moe green]

Male and Female cheerleaders? Just female? Why?

Regarding the party, why don't you get someone in a bad disguise to pretend to be you. Party-goers could talk to the surrogate and he could text conversation to you and you could reply via text message either to his phone for him to repeat, or you could text them directly.

Just a thought. G'nite all.

[Pyramid Power]

Hockey has come a long way Moe. Remember the stick fight between Wayne Maki and Terrible Teddy Green in an exhibition game in Ottawa years ago?

No masks for the goalies. No helmets for the players. That was frowned upon by the players and fans of the day.

Many players inexplicably do not wear visors even today. It's crazy. But it is the reality of the NHL today.

The game is evolving and fighting in games with a simple five minute penalty will eventually go the way of the quagga and the dodo. Extinct.

Can you imagine in a century, if this Earth has not self-destructed by mankind, what people will say when they see people smoking, people fighting, silly wars over religious issues etc....?

We are simply advanced primates. Smart monkeys. Fighting in hockey is part of that. Evolution. It goes on and on.

[Hoofheartz]

Overall still Canada's game and that game doesn't include cheerleaders. Just another American gimmick.

VM Replies: I'm changing my answer to this.

[red5]

Great game, great result. All is happy in Leaf Land. But, I must say, that goal by Eberle was sick. Hopefully the Leafs can torch the Flames on Thursday (sorry, couldn't resist).

Just catching up on all the discussion. Again, each game is another trip in the journey. We're two years into the 5 year plan, so lets wait a couple of years before calling for Burke's head (not that anyone has been on this board). I don't fully believe that all the young players currently on the team will be here in 5 years (I thought Stalberg would have been kept over Hanson), but the important thing is what Burke can get for them.

And thank you, Nik, for bringing up Boyes. To me, that trade was the beginning of the slide, and what got us to where we were when Burke took over. MacAuley was always a good second-line center, Boyes was a very good prospect, and the team at the time didn't really need Nolan. And that is not even beginning to get into the stupid contracts they started handing out.

But I digress; there has been a knowledge and cultural shift in management & scouting, the cupboards have more in store than emergency rations, and the team is learning. Should the team be aiming for the playoffs, yes. But it is still a process. We are starting to see improvement, and that is what we need to see.

It's funny, but I have my playoff tickets beside me, just waiting to be used. Oh, to dream.

[red5]

VM, regarding the Christmas Party, find a way. There has to be a TV with cable at whatever venue you are at. And at least the adult beverages should be flowing. Alternately, sneak out early. The game is a late ET start.

Regarding the cheerleaders, there's already too much crap going on at the ACC during the breaks. The BEST between-play moment I've seen since the ACC was opened was last year, during the 5-0 shut-out of the Hens, and they shut off the canned noise, the music, the begging for noise, and just let the fans keep doing the wave. This is hockey. While there may be no crying in baseball, there shouldn't be any cheerleaders in hockey.

[gettingcozywithsarkozy]

Stream was choppy for me too for a while Pyramid, but it eventually got better for the last half of the game. All around a pleasant evening last night was, and oh how I like getting on the boards after a leafs win, so much positivity going around.