Game 45: Leafs fly to New York, forget to pack dignity

When my father doesn't like something, he usually calls it a "horse's ass."

Telemarketers, pens that don't work, Nutella, gasoline prices, Bill O'Reilly, feather pillows – to my Dad, all this stuff is a "horse's ass."

I don't know if he watched tonight's game shellacking. But if he did, my guess is he spent two hours on his feet, pointing at the TV and calling every single player in a white jersey a "horse's ass."

That's definitely what I did.

What else is there to say? What else can any of us say?

Why did this team even bother crossing the border? Why not just stay in Toronto and catch up on Dexter or Entourage while sipping hot chocolate? Why not just kidnap a troupe of elderly butterfly catchers, blindfold them, herd them onto a Greyhound bus, drop them off at Madison Square Garden, strap rusty knives to the bottoms of their sensible shoes and then shove them toward center ice?

God knows they would have fared better.

What the hell was that? WHAT. THE. HELL. WAS. THAT?

Were the Leafs secretly drugged before the game? Did they party too much in NYC last night? Are their legs still tired from the last two games? No, wait, that couldn't be it because their legs got plenty of rest during the last two games.

Why do these guys even have legs? Shouldn't they at least have the decency to saw off their legs and give them to people without legs, people who deserve legs so much more? And why waste money on expensive hockey sticks? Why not just steal the butterfly nets from that elderly troupe and spend the rest of this season chasing lunar moths around the tropics?

The final score? Not sure. It was like 7-0 when I tossed my TV into a snowbank and rifled through the pantry to see if we had any arsenic. The highlights? None to speak of, not unless you count my wife's stifled giggling as she passed by at one point and said: "Oh my goodness! Is it zero to five for the New York Yankees?"

I'm not going to bother glancing at tonight's box score. I'm not going to bother describing the horrific chaos, the death-wish plays, the shocking apathy, the utter lack of dignity, the zero tolerance for effort, the one-sided skills competition they passed off as an NHL game.

Screw it. If this is the best these magnificent bastards equine bums can summon for the alleged "biggest game of the season," I'm not wasting a second of my time researching or crunching stats or searching for positives. I'm not even embedding pictures into this post beyond the image at the top because, really, that says it all.

Tomorrow may be another day. But tonight there is a stench, one that's familiar to people who live on farms. And this stench shall linger for quite some time.

Comments

[Tom]

UNACCEPTABLE.

VM Replies: EXACTLY

[hakim]

i hope fans going to tomorrow's game bring a healthy supply of waffles.

[Pyramid Power (via email to VM)]

Are the Leafs now the Philadelphia Flyers of so many years with no answer in nets? We just don't seem to able to find a decent goaltender to give us a chance to win every night. Difference being is the Flyers generally had very good hockey teams, but their goalie was always the big question mark. We have just not been good since before the lockout both in nets and in almost every single facet of our game. What is the answer? I do not know.

We are well on our way to finishing 25th or worst giving Boston another solid first round pick. Fortunately, the draft this year looks to be quite poor compared to last year and years past. We have a long, long, long way to go before we are good again I am afraid.

Was looking forward to watching Mueller play in the past two games. Only problem is he was invisible, or at least I certainly have not noticed him do one special thing. Not ONE special thing that makes this fan think, wow, the kid might be good.

[Lisa]

Your rant kind of made me laugh painfully .I usually have a good laugh every time when I read your blog and some comments.Well,we have 3 goalies whose names all have a J in them.Which J you rather have for NEXT SEASON ??? By the way ,did anyone catch the singing about the Leafs from CTV after the sport highlight ? "CASE" close !!!

VM Replies: Right now, I'd be happy if they put Jay Leno in net.

[Boo Who?]

Ohhhh, Vinay, thank you for the laugh before I drift off into not-so-pleasant dreams. If we're donating body parts, I'd like to volunteer my eyeballs, ears, and heart. Anything else, just ask! But I'm keeping my middle finger.

[oilandgas]

Too bad for Gusto that Beauch skated off with his stick and then centred to Avery for the Gaborik deke on a stickless goalie. Too bad he and our No. 3 left Staal alone to screen and deflect on Gusto for No. 2. Too bad Kaberle and our No. 2 left Gaborik alone for his No. 2. He was lucky on his No. 3. Great screen by our No. 2 for Gaborik's No. 4 Sad our No. 22 surrendered the 20 feet in front of him to collapse on the keeper for the two-on-one (nothing) and their No. 7. Too bad for Gusto. Reimer, too, would have been embarassed. As usual, no excuses for Giggy, except, maybe, going in "cold".

[Waffleman fan]

This is a parasitic organization. Fans need to hurt the weisel owners where it hurts. That is their pocket books. I propose a boycott of all things leafs. This hurts my heart to the core, I have watched this team my whole life. But there is not even hope with these sadsacks, no 1st round pick. Next year Burke will make some save-face deals that will make us a marginal team; on the fringe of the playoffs with a mid-round non-impact pick. Meanwhile the bruins will have just belched a wonderful meal of our lottery picks 2 years in a row. We will be a mediocre to lousy team for years to come. There is no hope. We must all stop watching leafs games, buying leafs products. This is the only way.

[Ken Baumgartner]

3rd highest paid defence in the league. That is truely sickening.

Is THIS one of those games where you learn to lose before you learn to win?????? A real character builder.

[Ken Baumgartner]

They owe us an opology for that piece of crap!
But oh yea, it has been an exciting year for captain Phaneuf.

[hoofheartz]

I know the old saying goes "you can't trade all the players but you can fire 1 coach", but couldn't we at least try that novel approach? Or maybe just send all the Leafs to the Ricoh centre and bring all the Marlies up to the ACC. I mean really, would there be any difference?

[80s Leafs]

I'll vote for DJ Jazzy Jeff in net.

Glad I missed the whole thing. Got home from a meeting at 9 and wife was already watching Republic of Doyle and wouldn't change to the game. She knows what she's doing. Gordon Pinsent's guest-starring role was tour de force. Leafs performance sounds like it was tour de horse...

[Robert]

Jay Leno would complete the farce. What a laugher. In all the years I coached minor hockey, we believed the coach's responsibility was to have the team ready to play the game. I have seen more cohesion in a pin ball game. I mentioned in an earlier comment, who are the real Leafs in this group. The ones that are proud to wear the Leaf jersey? Ron Wilson has not instilled pride in the crest, cohesion in the team, and even a system for them to follow when things go bad. Sorry, I know we blame the coach after every loss, but, last night, there was no other reason for that team to play so poorly, except they weren't ready for New York.

[DWatkins]

A complete disgrace! The only player I feel badly for is Gustavsson. Yet again, the team in front of him leaves him hanging out to dry. And while I understand the whole concept of trial by fire, the only reason why Wilson put him back in goal in the second was because the glass groin of Giggy can't handle two games in a row. How they respond tonight will define the rest of the season. Oh... and can someone tell Dion that he can still hit people and be competitive even though he makes millions of dollars! (God I miss Sundin - a true captain!)

[Ken Chevis]

Great blog, VM! I laughed harder at some of your comments than I did watching your heroes in New York..which was going some. I have seen some hokey hockey teams over the years, but most of them had a few redeeming graces. Not this bunch, not only are they incompetent, but they lack even basic character. You know by now that I am not a TML fan, but I really feel for the guys on this blog who are.

[Robert G]

Entire teams have been rebuilt and won the stanley cup (see pittsburgh, chicago) since the leafs last made the playoffs. The leafs are cursed, that's the only explanation for their year in year out futility. FUTILITY. THIS TEAM IS PATHETIC.

[A True Leafs Fan]

WOW...can you even call that hockey?... I think we need to put in the Marlies instead of these Magni....equine bums at least they will show heart and actually care about winning... I am going back To playing NHL 11 at least those bums can actually win a cup

[Katherine]

Just a bunch of guys on skates. That's all they were.

I have to wonder at the extremes though. How do we win a game 9-3 and lose another 7-0, all within two weeks? What is going on beyond the "consistently inconsistent"?

I like hoofheartz's suggestion of replacing the whole team with Marlies and see what happens. It certainly can't get any worse.

[Pyramid Power (via email to VM)]

The Leafs are horrible. And will continue to be so. Gawd love ya Vinay for doing what you do. It is not fun to be a fan of this team, and will not be fun for at least two years to come. We have sunk to new depths. And that is unbeleafable.

Btw, did not know an earlier comment was screwed up. Apparently we cannot send Gustavsson to the Marlies without him clearing waivers. Oh well. Give it a shot Brian. Who would want him? I don't want him. His numbers and play are pathetic.

You might want to think about getting your contract bought out Jonas and heading back to Stockholm. You are not good enough and you have shown that night after night after goal after goal this year. I also don't want balding fatboy sit on my past laurels Giggy. Giguere needs to go too. A classic has been in every sense of that moniker. A has been.

I hope when each and every Leaf collects his paycheque he feels shame. SHAME! SHAME! And not just the players but the entire coaching staff. The one person who might not feel shame because he believed his scouts might be Brian Burke. It is disgusting and sickening to be a Leafs fan now and since the lockout. GO RED WINGS! GO STEELERS! WINNING TEAMS WITH A WINNING TRADITION! YES! YES!

This Leafs fan will make it a point to not watch another game this year if I can help it and just follow Denial. I deny I am a fan of this hockey club. I will follow pursuits that bring me joy. There is no point whatsoever in following this sickening hockey team for the remainder of this season and next season.

BLOW LEAFS BLOW!

[bychoice]

Accountability is required in our society.
Sports is an entertainment entity.
Unfortunately, good movies, that don't draw at the box office, are considered failures.
Good sports teams, that can't draw fans, are considered failures.
But WE HAVE OUR LEAFS. They are a failure, in every sense of the word, except in the $$ category, Thus, they are a success!

[Sue]

At the end of the second period last night, my only thought was "I can't wait to read what Vinay writes about this tomorrow". Your blogs truly make my day.

VM Replies: Thank you, Sue.

[Bracken]

Watching the game last night I couldn't decide whether I was horribly disgusted with 'My Name is Jonas' Gustavsson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbwI2-nJ0Tw), or if I just felt plain sorry for him. The two things I was sure of were that with 6 minutes left in the 1st period I was forced to head across the street into my friendly, local Beer Store and pick up two pints of Creemore. The beer tasted great but it didn't make it any easier to watch. The second thing I learned was that 3/4 of the team didn't even show up. After reading your previous post about the 92-93 Leafs team, who collectively, while I was the ripe old age of 13, lured me into a life-long love/hate relationship, I was even more disappointed with how little pride they played with. Colton Orr isn't someone I often praise, although I do enjoy his game, was the only guy skating and playing like he gave a damn. Some of his energy might have been better channeled into other directions, but at least you could tell he cared. I am sure, or wait, I HOPE, the majority of the guys cared, but you sure could've fooled me.

[oakville_girl]

I taped this game and missed Republic of Doyle because of this mess.

When the top scorer on the team is a $1 million pick up, and not the player that the franchise gave everything away for, it's a sad day.

When Beauchemin sent the puck blindly up the slot to set up the first goal, (AGAIN!!!!!) instead of sending it up the boards, I knew it was going to be a bad game.

Phaneuf is not captain material. Management made that call too quickly, IMHO

@PP - I tried being like Denial and commit to not watching any more games, but I drifted back. If this is the fare that is going to be set out in front of us, I'm sending it back and not partaking any longer.

I recently had someone offer to sell me $300 tickets to go watch an upcoming Leafs game. Obviously there are others who are gullible or crazy enough to pay these prices for this crap, so I'm going to take some deeds to Florida swampland and stand in front of the ACC and see if I can make some money.

Vinay, I love your blog, but my heart aches for you because you are now "forced" to watch these games to continue this blog, and not be able to join the rest of us in leaving Leafsland. (won't dignify it with Nation, because that implies strength)

I'll come by to read the blog, but last night was the final game I will be watching this year. (and this is hard for me, because I am a life long Leafer who has never walked away in the past) It's different now, because even though the Leafs have been bad before, at least they seemed to care about the game, their fans, and not just their salaries.

VM Replies: Oh God. Everybody is leaving. I will be all alone from now until April. So very alone.

[We BeLeaf]

Wow, look at how many people are chastising the team for this game. Sure they stunk out the joint last night and luckily for me, I never even got home in time to even watch the game. From what I heard on the radio I am glad that I did not see it on TV, but let's keep things in perspective here, the Leafs did manage to put in 9 goals against the Trashers 2 weeks ago, right?

Yes, it sucks that they were badly embarrassed and we're going to hear about firing Wilson and Burke and even the Zamboni driver, but it was just one game and I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I don't think that anyone should take this loss to be a culmination of the final result of the season, rather as a game that you quickly forget and move on.

Cheers,

P.S.: Who in their right mind calls Nutella, a horse's ass?

[oilandgas]

You've shuffled two comments. I, oil and gas, wrote about the let down in front of Gusto, not Boo Who's bit. Please ascribe the following to oilandgas, not Boo Who.

Too bad for Gusto that Beauch skated off with his stick and then centred to Avery for the Gaborik deke on a stickless goalie. Too bad he and our No. 3 left Staal alone to screen and deflect on Gusto for No. 2. Too bad Kaberle and our No. 2 left Gaborik alone for his No. 2. He was lucky on his No. 3. Great screen by our No. 2 for Gaborik's No. 4 Sad our No. 22 surrendered the 20 feet in front of him to collapse on the keeper for the two-on-one (nothing) and their No. 7. Too bad for Gusto. Reimer, too, would have been embarassed. As usual, no excuses for Giggy, except, maybe, going in "cold".

Posted by: oilandgas | 01/20/2011 at 03:09 AM

This is a parasitic organization. Fans need

VM Replies: Huh? Now I'm really confused. The comments come in on their own with the author's name on top. All I do is hit the "publish" button and/or attach a "reply." But if your comment was somehow swapped with a comment from Boo Who? (is that what you're saying?), then I am officially stumped. I'll have to get the tech guys to investigate.

[Michael]

The Leafs could not have chosen a more appropriate captain for this season. Dion is everything that embodies the Leafs. Big name that lives on past glory with no immediate return to glory or respectability. Dion use to take the body and score goals. The Leafs use to at least be competitive and score goals. Now Dion just shows up and goes through the motions. So do his Leafs. Once in a while Dion will give you a good game and you think maybe, just maybe THAT Dion from three years ago is coming back. Then he disappears again for games at a time. Sometimes the Leafs string together a streak and you think maybe just maybe they are back on the right track and then they shrink back into the stink. Dion as captain of the Leafs? Match made in Hockey Hell!

[mark]

This the worst game that I ever saw. Where was our captain? I don't think Toronto ever had a Captain that would allow this effort go on all season. Gilmour, Clark, Sittler not even Sundin. Maybe our captain is the least talented captain we had in decades. Everyone blames JFJ for empting the cupboards, Well we forget that Fletcher traded picks for Holliweg, Mayers, Grabovski and unable to trade the Fab 5 for anything and Burke compounds the problem by trading picks constantly whether they are firsts, seconds, thirds or fourths, ask the Wings how important the late rounds are. I don't why Peddie allows this to happen? doesn't he have a passion to Win? At least Maple Leafs stop blocking Hamilton from having a NHL team, so we in Southern Ontario can support a owner with passion. One last thing please Mr Wilson and Mr Burke stop blaming the fans saying we are being unfair with the current team and we blaming for the last 50 years, NO we are blaming you Mr Burke for stretching the truth and constant selling a bill of goods. They are what they are NOT a playoff team Sooner everyone at MLG realizes that the better the we well be.

[Jimmy Balzac]

I hate to be negative, but this organization really stinks to high hell.

[Eric Mills]

I'm an ex-T.O resident living in NYC and was at the game. I'm 38 and have seen many embarrassing Leaf games, epitomized by blowing a 5-0 lead to the Flames and losing 6-5 in overtime many years ago. I never thought I would see something worse. This blew it out of the water. The locals were happy but bored for the last period. It was such a joke. Men vs boys. No effort. The Pension Plan Puppets indeed.

[TPiddy]

Can we end the Colton Orr experiment now? This team isn't truculent, belligerent or pugnacious, and Orr's 4 minutes of ice time per game needs to go to someone else. Someone that can actually do something out there other than take bad penalties.

If Burke is building from the net out he needs to knock down this house of cards and start over. Only a few solid timbers on this team.

[Ostrich Lover]

Wow a 7-0 game is all it takes to bring out the highest paid defense, future has been mortaged, our highest scorer is not kessel whiners. Bad game, yes and something dramatic should be done, but that hardly changes the fact that this team is heading in the right direction, even if it is by inches at a time. Sure they played like crap, but it happens. Fire Burke got a 37-6 agree disagree record so far. B.S

[hoofheartz]

VM - I don't think oilandgas realizes that his name appears after his post, not before, which may have resulted in his confusion.

VM Replies: Ah, thanks hoof. I shall call off the dogs.

[Nik culoman]

Good Morning Leaf Nation. I will start off by saying, i enjoy a nice cold beer last night. The game lacked much passion, and the team looked all over place. But I came away with one thing, THANK GOD WE NEVER TRADED LUKE SCHENN after he poor run earlier on last season (as some were calling for last year).

That guy seems to be developing into the blue chip defenseman everyone had pegged him to be, I think he will one day be the new face of this franchise. He brings it every night, I thought the Grabo/McArthur/Kulemin line player well.

As for the vets, I am tired of watching the vetran guys Kabby, Beauchmin, Komi mail it in each night....I hate watching soft passes, no checking in the defensive, If I see Kaberle do that stupid stick waving thing he does one more time....I am going to whack that stick over his head. I wonder if we put black pepper at the tip of his stick if that would give this guy some bite to his game.

I say bring up the Marlies defense, Aulie, Lashoff, Holzer and whoever else they have and ship those "vets" down....I would rather watch young players develope and I can reasonably accept errors from rookies....But those something needs to be done with them and quickly.

That is my negative rant for today..........I am as patient as they come...But I think I have hit my end with Kaberle, Beauchmin, Komi..........

[Nik culoman]

Sorry for the grammar and spelling mistakes.......Just work with me....I think the beer I drank last night might still be in my system..I needed something drown away my tears hahahaha

[oilandgas]

Hmm. Now the comment that starts "...The Leafs could not have chosen a more appropriate captain for this season. Dion is everything that embodies the Leafs. Big name ..." is wrongley ascribed to oilandgas, or else someone has started using ny moniker.

VM Replies: The screen name of the commenter appears at the end of the comment, not the start.

[Harith]

Let's Go Rangers! (sorry ;) )

[Don]

It's about time players were paid according to performance.
Like a salesperson...no performance........no pay...very simple.
You have young guys now have a good junior, possibly 2-3 good years
in the NHL then sign a big contract they are set for life.
Example # 3 & # 8 for the leafs. Now no team will want them.
They are NO SHOWS every night.

[Stumpy 32]

Beauchemin and Phaneuf are one of the worst defensive pairings in the NHL - period! They have no concept of coverage in their own end, they don't hustle to get pucks when they are dumped in, they are unable to make a first pass and end up just doing week flips shots of the boards which end up on opposing players sticks, they can't make a D to D pass to save their lives, they can't keep the puck in at the offensive blue line, Phaneuf only hits the net if he gets a lucky defelction, and facing one on ones they both get danced around like they're lamp posts, especially Phaneuf. The worst thing is that when Pahneuf gets beat, there is a better chance that the forward was the deepest forchecker will get back to break up the play then the out of position Phaneuf. Get rid of these two bumbling morons and bring up some kids who at least have some hustle and give a crap. Phaneuf has a big mouth but can't back it up. Case in point, last night's fight, he got jerseyed by a guy half his size. Please get these sorry excuses for hockey players out of my sight!

[Bracken]

Maybe we could convince Jamie Macoun, Bob Rouse and Sylvain Lefebvre out of retirement.

What are we doing here, Vinay? I ask you, what in a giant bunch of horse's asses, are we doing here?

Can anybody tell me?

I am not going anywhere, but have forgotten what I showed up for.

VM Replies: I have decided to think of this season as some kind of scientific experiment. They are testing our endurance, our patience, our goodwill.

[Adam]

Well there we all have it... again. With Ghost-avsson in net, pucks go through him because his non-corporeal self cannot effect matter in our universe (seems like a plausible excuse). It seems that, while everyone in front of him exchanges recipes for next years Christmas Bake-off, he's back in net trying to lip-read and glean some information about Beauchemin's famous Couscous. What an effort.
I miss the days of Potvin, or Cujo... hell, even Belfour. At least for a few seasons fans got the feeling that they were trying. Recently, Reimer (even though his name DOES begin with a J) tried his hardest and very nearly succeeded. Why is that? I offer my only possible reasons.
First, he exists in this universe like the rest of us, so when he's in front of a puck he is (verifiable through experimentation) actually in front of the puck. Second, he's still young and his reflexes sharp. Third, and most importantly, he hasn't spent enough time in the NHL for the Maple Leafs to exsanguinate his life blood, his will to live and perform.
So, our problem is not just offense, it's the cold realization that every single goaltender, given enough time, falls apart in the Big Smoke. While Reimer may help us out of the blast furnace for the interim, if he's continuously thrust into the amalgam of the regular season to pull our asses out of the fire he, too, will grow complacent and become just another Toronto Maple Leaf statistic.

VM Replies: You need to write a guest post.

[Don]

Burke needs to bench Wilson and have him sit in press box to get a real view of how these guys are performing.
It's obvious this group does not want to play for Wilson
There needs to be a clean sweep behind the bench.

[CPH]

For those of you who can't stand watching the Leafs lose and yet who can't bring yourselves to boycott the games, I recommend PVRing the game. If the game starts at 7, you can start watching at 9. Skip the commercials and the panels of "experts" and get right to the game. Watch until the Leafs fall behind by a couple of goals and then move to fast-forward. You can see the score at the top of the screen, and if the Leafs score you can stop, rewind, and enjoy. Last night I went to fast-forward early in the first, zipped through the end of the first and right through the second. Didn't bother with the third period at all. Watched the whole game in maybe 20 minutes, which is more than it deserved but still not a major commitment. And when the Leafs play well, which they occasionally do, you can go as slowly as you like. This approach is guaranteed to save you major aggravation.

[Kolchak]

Vinay, I'm grateful it's not my job to watch these games. Happily for me, I actually *forgot* there was a game on last night and spent the evening watching "Top Gear" repeats. Jealous?

VM Replies: Yes.

[Arthur Bailey]

Vinay, I feel your pain. After that short burst of success, it looks like they are repeating their performance from after their previous (and only other) burst of success back in Oct. They'll probably lose 8 in a row now.

Anyway, Gustavsson clearly never deserved the nick name "Monster" and it has become apparent that "Goose" is no long fit. I would like to suggest "Ostrich" as the new nick name. It is still a long necked bird, but one far more awkward, and prone to having it's head in the sand during stress, just like Gustavsson. Where he finds that sand on an ice rink, we'll never know.

[DWatkins]

You know what... this team reminds me of the movie "Major League", with Charlie Sheen. The team has talent but right now they are all individuals. The coach knows what he is doing but noone listens to him. Phaneuf is fast becoming Corben Burnsen's character that won't take a hit to make a play and the ownship is the woman they make fun of. We, are the die hard fans sitting in the nosebleeds banging the drum, lead by our fearless Vinay, aptly played by the nut job Randy Quaid (no disrespect to you, V.).

Let's hope these leafs end up like the those Cleveland Indians and gain redemption for last night's game and the 40 odd years we've been waiting for a cup. Watch the movie and it will all make sense.

[The 5th Line Centre]

I blame the terrible lighting in MSG.
That and a collective agreement among players to rest up, take a night off and be extra ready for Anaheim tomorrow to get Burke and Giguere a win.
And no one better burst my bubble!
http://5thlinecentre.wordpress.com/

[kneeboard85]

I can't remember what game it was a few months back but I left the room 0-0 to make a salad and when I came back the leafs were down 3-0. Last night I leave to make a salad, come back and they allowed 4 goals, maybe I'm the one to blame.

One thing is for sure if Wilson got wind of this I'm sure I would be called out for my love of greens as the demise of this maple leafs team or lack there of.

[leafland'r]

That WAS a bad game:
1. Nik is writing in negatives !
2. Goose was goosed,
3. The 'D' gets a D ( if not an F),
4. ...and I have come to a point where I watch the games only to read how Vinay will package his blog; that's where this season's entertainment rests.

At a weak or depressed moment I switched to American Idol. Arrowsmith's Steven Tyler had the accurate phrase for some players, "that was terrible", "it's not your forte", you're gone". Maybe he should send his script to Leaf management.

[Joe Scott]

Well, much as I hate to say it, Wilson has to go. This is my reasoning. Komisarek crosses the NY blueline and passes cross ice... to the penalty box door... or at least that was the only discernable target I could make out. That turns into a goal. Let's rewind to where Komi makes the smart, safe play and rings it around the boards. Maybe one of our forwards catches up with it, maybe they don't, but it sure as hell doesn't turn into a 2 on 1 and a goal. Does Komi get benched for that gaffe? No. Does he even get a stern reprimand? Sadly no. No way he should be trying to make that play, and when he does, he never misses a shift. The accountability is gone, the ways of losing are too far ingrained, (again,) and Wilson has lost the room. I'm not for calling for the coach's head each and everytime the team loses, but if the bleeding doesn't stop soon, it's going to be another long, hot summer for Burkie as Boston enjoys another lottery pick.

[joe canada]

i'm going to tonight's game - not because I want to, but because I got tickets for Christmas. I won't bother wearing my baseball cap 'cause there sure won't be any TO hat-tricks, but I am taking a healthy supply of waffles. http://mapleleafwaffles.com/ - we're all suckers

[Michael C. Nemirsky]

Vinay, I, totally enjoy your columns and your loyalty to those magnificent leaf bastards. I have been a leaf fan for over 50 years (I still remember the joy in my heart in 1967).In 1998, I was diagnosed with conjestive heart failure. After several heart attacks and numerous stays in hospital, I was given a second chance at life. In August 2008, I received a much needed transplant. My daughter always joked that I refused to die until the leafs won another cup. Needless to say, she was always happy when april came and no playoffs for the boys in blue. Well, for me, not so much! Somehow, I feel responsible for the leafs ineptitude to even remotely challenge for Lord Stanley's cup. I have jinxed them and have come on to this site to apologize to all the loyal and faithful fans. I would like to offer my opinions on what is wrong with the leafs. First, Wilson must be fired, BB, or you will. Secondly, Goose, take up plumbing, you will never be a big league goaltender. Take the C away from Dion, he is no leader. Phil Kessel, you have all the tools, use them more often! Lastly, show some bloody pride! Last night was a total embarassment! Man up!

[pinot grigio]

Maybe the KHL will take Gustavson and a high draft choice for Toskala.

[Peter]

i was wondering if somebody told the Leafs they can't hit anybody during the game. "China doll" Gaborik scores 4 goals and nobody, i mean nobody lays a hand on him or just simply bother him while he's anywhere near the net. same goes for shooting the damn puck, especially on the PP.
i know Orr took some unnecessary penalties but at least he tried to do something. the charging call and the major and misconduct at the end were a joke, though.
i sat down to watch this game thinking, well, the Ranger have quite a few injuries, this is a good time to take advantage of it. and also thinking, even if the loose but play a good game, i won't get upset. this lasted for about 10 minutes...
BTW, where were or the smart Leafs haters when the team was winning? they play one really bad game and they are all back with the "Leafs are really stink, fire everybody, bla, bla , bla" comments. as somebody said it already, BS!

[Peter]

pinot grigio, i see you are really up to date with the Leafs....

[wcdixon]

While watching that embarrassing display of Leafs on Blades but not Battling last night I thought of you Vinay...thought of you having to suck it up and write yet another blog post that tried to be positive and optimistic while also entertaining and amusing. And I felt for you. Felt bad. I pictured you sitting down and starting to write and then giving up to go rewatch American Idol again on your PVR just to feel good about life again. Or maybe it was Jersey Shore. Anyway I felt so bad I almost sat down and started to pen a guest post to send you just so you'd have something to put out today. *Almost.*

Man that game blew. Unacceptable.

VM Replies: Famous screenwriters are strongly encouraged to submit guest posts regardless of team play (hint). Unacceptable is right, Mr. Dixon.

[pinot grigio]

Oh, I'm sorry, they no longer have any high draft choices...

[Peter]

oh, forgot to mention that Pierre McGuire is the biggest ass kisser i have ever heard on TV. i lost all my respect for this clown. i hope he takes the GM job for the Hens.

VM Replies: What did he do/say? I must confess, by the end of the first period I was no longer "hearing" his words.

[Krakondack]

For tonight's game, the fans should give a loud round of boos when the team skates on to the ice, to let them know this just won't do. Those fans that actually show up, that is. Lately it seems fashionable to buy the expensive tickets and not show up, as if that somehow teaches them a lesson.

[Alecia]

Thank god I am really sick and heavily medicated. Was there a game last night?

By the way, Nutella is delicious. How can anyone not like a jar of creamy hazelnuty chocolatey goodness? it's a great way to start the day you know.

VM Replies: I agree with you (and We BeLeaf) about the Nutella. Take it up with my father: "What is this? Peanut butter? Or is it chocolate? It tastes like both! Only a horse's ass would invent such a travesty!"
Sorry you're still not feeling well. But you're better off on those meds.

[prize maple]

Vinay, please stop beating yourself up over this sad-sack team. They're really not good enough to justify much more than mild amusement when they win the occasional game. Someday, when we have a real team here in Toronto, with real-live NHL players we can worry. Until then, there's always Ice Road Truckers or Hitler in 3D.

VM Replies: You predicted all of this even before the season started, if I recall correctly.

[Ken Baumgartner]

I wish I knew what to write Vinay. Get that rally cap ready for tonight, I guess?

VM Replies: Where did your kids get that hair-hat? I'm probably going to need one before the season is over.

[Alecia]

The Leafs are going to win 5-3 tonight. No worries people. Nooooo worries.

VM Replies: I didn't know Cold FX and Advil Cold & Sinus were hallucinogens. Good to know.

[Chad]

Going to the game tonight. If it's the same score after the 1st period as last night, then I'm heading to a place where the beer is cheaper. No one deserves to watch their team play like the way they did last night. Especially after having THREE days off!

VM Replies: Send an update or two if you can from inside the ACC tonight. As for cheaper beer, try the Harbourfront Sports Bar at the foot of Yonge, directly across the street from The Star.

[Alecia]

Oh Vinay, I am on none of those things anymore. I have been given special meds by the doctor. Oh, and a puffer!

[Alecia]

Chad - Whoa Whoa, you may want to reconsider that idea.

During the first game I went to this season, we entered the first intermission down 3 goals with 0 goals scored and had won that game 5-4 against Nashville. You just never know with this damn leafs team.

[Bob]

The team must have read a different blog titled "What the 2010-11 Leafs can learn from the 1984-85 Leafs".

VM Replies: You just made me laugh. Thank you.

[Peter]

Well, Vinay my personal favorite was when he was trying to tell me that Avery made a great paly when he iced the puck trying to spring Gaborik. Gaborik was like four feet behind Kaberle and no chance to catch up. Pierre was like that all night, he even sucking up to the refs at one point.
Anyway, better to forget this travesty and hope they will do somewhat better tonight!

[Peter]

pinot grigio, you are off a couple of years, but never mind...

[Rooney]

VM, you should ask BB to dock his players their pay for not showing up last night and send it over to you and rest of your blog regulars for not mailing it in like his team. Also, it would be nice if @Eric gets the money he spent last night attending the game refunded.

Wilson says the game was over early ("Basically, the game was over at 4-0. They made us look silly."). Although I would not blame that performance on coaching, I did not see the coaching staff show any emotion or reaction that the game was about to be lost in the first. Everyone seemed calm and nobody seemed to care. At the end of the game (and this why I don't blame the coaches), I was still baffled how a group of young adults that have played this sport since they were children could get so messed up that they forget the basics after that first goal was scored. We all have "off" days but even on those days most of us try to get through it without embarrassing ourselves and by sticking to the basics.

Any player who does not show up tonight after that present they handed the Rangers is simply not worthy to wear the blue and white, regardless of his upside. Let's show some pride tonight boys, Go Leafs Go!

[Ken Baumgartner]

You can find the hair hat at GolfTown.

VM Replies: Thank you. Now I have to find GolfTown, whatever that is.

[moe green]

I was in a meeting last night and I left early just as they were ordering Chinese food. I love Chinese food. I rushed home to enjoy the game. When I arrived it was 4-0. I ate a grilled cheese sandwich.

I wonder what the team ate after last night's game. Gorged like Romans I'll wager.

[gOogl3pl3x]

Isn't GolfTown where the leafs head in April instead of the arena? Maybe next time you are at the Martercard centre, ask the players where one is...

[Peter]

Rooney, spot on, man! my thoughts exactly.
what was really baffling is that somebody like Armstrong, who normally a pretty competitive guy, was no different than the rest. nobody stepped up and delivered a big hit or seemed really upset or something...

[hoofheartz]

VM - www.golftown.com
You can buy the hat on line.

VM Replies: Thanks. Hopefully my hair doesn't fall out (or get pulled out). But nice to know there are options.

[Boo Who?]

I'm still too shell-shocked to process the post-game interviews I watched. I think my brain exploded after I heard Wilson say 'I thought we looked pretty good for the first ten minutes.' NO!!! BAD RON BAD!!! You do not get to look on the bright side of this experience!

I'm constantly amazed by this burgeoning culture of molly-coddling that exists in the world today. You can't fail a child in school anymore. All the players on both teams get trophies just for showing up. I'm only in my early thirties, so it wasn't that long ago that when you didn't put in the effort, or just screwed the friggin' pooch - YOU FAILED. And everyone knew it. And you felt you had to apologize for it. Because your focus was on meeting other people's expectations, not just on meeting your own. This is not a group therapy session, it's a hockey team, so save your platitudes for the team shrink. If you want people to give you a break, try owning up to your faults, showing some regret or remorse, and vowing never to do it again. Where the hell has all the discipline and accountability gone in the world?

[Phil]

Ok, I admit it, I was at the game last night at MSG. No, I didn't get free tickets. No, it wasn't part of a dare to go. I went to the game because I wanted to be there. I figured the Leafs have been doing great on the road lately so, hey, don't want to miss a good thing - right? The game actually started off reasonably well for the Leafs - at least until they failed on 2 power play attempts. When the 10:00 minute mark came around I breathed a "sigh of relief" as the score remained 0 - 0 albeit while being on the powerplay for four of those 10 minutes. To be honest folks, lately I've been thinking that if the Leafs can keep games close by the 10:00 minute mark of the first period they may actually have a chance to win! I believe these sentiments started growing when James Reimer was playing goal - just recently. Reimer seemed to instill a sense of calm in everyone - players, coaches, and even Leaf fans watching the games. As it turned out my "sigh of relief" occurred too early last night as Gaborik and the Rangers' onslaught began slightly thereafter. From my vantage point of the first row behind the Leaf's bench I saw Wilson signal Giguere after the third goal was scored on what appeared to be a defenseless Leaf net. It was easy to see the despair in each face from coaching staff to players, particularly Gustavsson as he slammed his pad into the boards while seated on the bench. Gustavsson slamming his pad into the boards, although on a much smaller scale, was reminiscent of him slamming his goal stick into the goal posts countless number of times during the pre-christmas era of this season. Everyone knows how the story ended last night - Giguere let a goal in during the remaining minutes of the 1st while Gustavsson returned only to let three additional shots go by during the second and third resulting in a 7 - 0 finale. Congrats to Gaborik for scoring 4 goals even though it was against a team that was, shall we say, disoriented?? Let me get to my point. Despite last night's debacle the Leafs have recently demonstrated that they are capable of playing at a level above the AHL. I think what is missing is a calming influence. H@@l, when that calming influence was present the other week the team called the Toronto Maple Leafs was just that - a team!! Good positional play, excellent short passing, quick transition from defense to forward generating speed through the neutral zone, responsible play and excellent communication. No slamming of sticks in response to poor play. Wilson even mentioned playoffs at one point - I think I even saw Wilson smiling! The team played differently in the presence of that calming influence. Now that the team has gone on without that calming influence called James Reimer as a result of bone-headed play by Mike Brown on Ed Jovanovski of Phoenix we are back to observing disastrous play which seems to have been more present than not during this Toronto Maple Leafs' season of 2010-2011. Are the Leafs going to make the playoffs this year? They don't stand a chance without that calming influence.

[moe green]

Yeah I heard that too "Boo Who?" that first ten minutes crap. I cringed. Is he afraid the team might realize how horrible they were?

I don't know but I can't see this being a good strategy. Doesn't it also say that you're just not good enough. That we're not being hard on you because you did your best. Or is it okay now to not give your best.

What can we expect tonight. I think we'll be okay unless Anaheim tries to win. If they do, we're sunk.

[waffles2010]

Moe, I don't know what to expect tonight. I am a Leaf fan thru and thru. After that debacle last night, they could easily give up 8 tonight. Or win 3-1, they are that unpredictable. I will nonetheless enjoy perhaps my only chance this year to see my team in person. I am sure that Anaheim will be playing to win. Hiller is on a tear, Getzlaf, Ryan and Perry are great.
Tonight this game is all about pride, we find out whether or not the Leafs have any.

VM Replies: Have fun. Send updates if you can.

[Denial]

This just in from Planet Disengagement:

I cannot put into words or any other vessel (art, music, potato painting) just how blissful it is to not personally care whether the Leafs merely lose, or lose really bad. I have not felt this kind of dynamic inner action since taking a slapshot to the jockstrap those many, many years ago.
BUT I'M FEELING MUCH BETTER NOW.
There is actually only one solution to this problem.
You see, all of the pundits, addicts and fans (sadists, all of them) are trying to solve this problem in an intelligent way. And therein lies the fatal flaw.
You cannot solve an absurd problem in an intelligent way. You can only solve it in an absurd way, and then, with a little bit of luck and perhaps -- perhaps -- a flying cow or someone turning into pickle or something, things may change.
Therefore, being of unsound mind and unsound body, I suggest that the Leafs should completely revolutionize their game plan. Instead of trying to defend the other team or (occasionally) attack, they should, immediately after the initial faceoff, commit to a relentless campaign of NON VIOLENT NON COOPERATION.
That is, they refuse to submit to unjust laws (i.e. the ones that force them to lose every night, since really, who said the team with more goals is supposed to win? That's as arbitrary as it gets when you really think about it) -- but they also refuse to fight.
I believe this campaign will take time. Several years.
There will be suffering. There will be sacrifice. There will be pain.
BUT THEY CANNOT LOSE.
Eventually, the opposition will fall under the weight of their own evil, and once they recognize this, they will simply leave the ice, one by one.
And then the Leafs will win.
Or, if that's too inconvenient, then how about calling up James Reimer?

VM Replies: Too awesome for words. I look forward to the dispatches from Planet Disengagement more than the games these days.

[Sensi-Bill]

I'm frustrated with my apparent inability to keep my comments short.
Well there's no need to get all pithy about it.
Yes, there is.

[Boo Who?]

Ohhhh, moe. Moe moe moe. Sigh. I don't know. I'm all for being fair. But let's face it - that was in no way their best. Haters can hate me all they want for saying this, but Leafs do not really and truly suck. They have talent. Last night was not a display of ineptitude, it was one of woeful under-performance. So what really enrages me is that they react as though the bar were never set any higher. Does it boil down to youth and inexperience? Sure let's go with that, because it makes everyone feel better! At the risk of sounding like an old coot, all I can say is that the children growing up today are all going to suffer massive crises of confidence if their first brush with failure doesn't come until they are well into their twenties.

Okay. I'll be grumbling and shaking my walking stick at people if anyone needs me...

[Sensi-Bill]

Due to other TV commitments, only got to PVR last of the 1st period and all of the second. Watched the video this morning.
Conclusion: Leafs didn't start off so bad. At times played at almost two-thirds speed. Trouble was, Rangers played at at least three-quarters speed.
Result: Leafs worn down and all to soon quit. Rangers truly deserved the win. Leafs an embarrassment.

[Sensi-Bill]

Should I feel honored by others picking up some of my opinions and terminology?
Too bad I can't get even a token royalty payment for use of "sad-sack team."
(g)

[waffles2010]

Sorry Vinay, no updates from the ACC. No internet capable phone, poor remember. Only going as the guest of a very generous friend. I will check in with the blog when I get in. I may or may not be in any condition to post, beer seems like it will be extra tasty today. God I hope that you let them play well, there is no atmosphere there at all when they are losing.

[Sensi-Bill]

If you think, even on a subconscious level, that at least part of the reason you come here is to get a little attention, raise your hand.
\o
If you think that is a bad thing, raise your hand.
o
If you know what to do when your football team has just scored a touchdown, raise both hands.
\o/
If my little distractions are helping, wave some pom-poms.
*\o/*

VM Replies: There are no pom-poms in my midst. But I find your distractions helpful.

[Account Deleted]

Us old coots who have seen decades of Leaf seasons know there is something this year just surreal and unexplainable.There are some kind of evil forces beyond our understanding.This season is different than any other I've seen!And in the Nutella debate I am firmly in the elder Menon's camp.

VM Replies: It's a curse!

[Sensi-Bill]

@Denial
Leaf fans are sadist? Oh I think NOT!
For decades now, across the full breadth of this fair country --- save for the infamous Golden Triangle known as Southern Ontario --- it has been unanimously accepted that to say "masochistic Leaf fans" is to be redundant.
Having their hearts broken repeatedly is like a drug, an addiction they not only cannot escape but a voluntary dependence for which they have even coined a technical term. It's called "Loyalty."
It's unfair to pity them for having wandered in the land of Nocup, longer than Moses and his flock wandered in the desert. But in a there-but-for-the-grace-of-the-hockey-gods-go-us manner, we can at least be kind to them, though their actions occasionally call for, verily demand, abuse by others.

[Sensi-Bill]

Somewhere today, might even have been here, I saw someone state that three Leaf players did not rack up a minus in last night's debacle.
One mentioned was Mr. Neanderth. . . no, wait . . . make that Mr. Orr, who some here have singled out for faint praise by stating that he was at least energetic during the game.
Oh yes, energetic enough to draw some bonehead penalties. Leading to not ONE but TWO power play goals by the Rangers. And if his 5-minute penalty hadn't come so late in the game, there perhaps could have been even more.
So I guess technically he wasn't "on the ice" for those two goals, so wasn't awarded a -2 ranking. BUT I think being in the penalty box to help set up those two goals was an even worse offense.
Sure the Sens' Matt Carkner nearly punched the moustache right off of George Parros's mug in the Sens recent frustrating loss to the Ducks --- watch out for No-Holes Hiller --- but it was a legitimate tussle, he took his man with him, and, as usual, he played effective shifts all night long.
Once more I have to ask: What does the "truculence" of One-Trick-Orr gain the Leafs?

[Sensi-Bill]

Someone mentioned this year's draft being a weak one.
Actually, it's not supposed to be as strong as in recent years, but it's still pretty decent, with perhaps talent more evenly spread out than concentrated in two or three top picks.
Watching the Top Prospects (best non-drafted junior players in Canada) Game from last night, via PVR-delay, I was rather impressed, even if Dougie Gilmour out coached Drapes* in a 6-1 runuaway for team Orr. So good was the talent that I once more had mixed feelings about my Sens suddenly winning games --- just enough to get out of Draft Lottery for the bottom five teams.
Just to mention one standout amongst several, I think NUGENT-HOPKINS would look rather nice across the back of a Senators sweater. (g)
What WAS disappointing was the lack of a decent sized crowd to provide appropriate excitement and atmosphere. Then again, since the game was held at the ACC --- an obvious mistake --- there might not have been much excitement and atmosphere, even if the place had been full.
It sure left a VERY WIDE selection of seats for the scouts and GMs on hand. (Poor Lou Lamerilo (sp?) was certainly easy to pick out amidst the non-crowd.)
What may hurt us Sens fans is the possible win-lose situation of finishing ahead of Toronto and NOT getting a shot at some of this talent. Of course what's worse is that if Toronto does end up in the bottom five, which sure seems likely today, THEIR top pick goes to a high-flying divisional rival. (sigh)
Geeze, maybe *I* need some distraction now.
p.s. I call Don Cherry "Drapes" because that's where they get the material for a lot of his "suits."

[palbo]

sensi-bill - i think the leafs are pithy - oh there goeth my lithp again

[Boo Who?]

@TimB - it's like I've fallen down a rabbit hole today.

And speaking of Grapes: You know what I watched the other night while all the other people lacking a Y-chromosome were glued to the Golden Globes? It almost pains me to admit this, but since my pride is in tatters anyway - 'Keep your head up kid - The Don Cherry Story'. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because I'm no big Grapes fan. I think it was two things - the campy hilarity of watching 'Don Cherry' in everyday settings, and the fact I got to see some darn entertaining hockey when it got to his playoffs run. And it gave me some insights on how to be the Best! Coach! Ever! (Apparently it's half dumb luck, half slamming a stick down and yelling 'Dammit I really wanna win tonight!!') An inspiring piece overall, I recommend it. Although I do sit through entire Leafs games, so I suppose my TV viewing standards are pretty low.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hey Moe, 2 questions

1) Did you have plum sauce with your grilled cheese sandwich?
2) What's for dinner tonight?

[Alecia]

Medicated or not, I mean my earlier prediction.

VM Replies: If they lose, I'm blaming it on the puffer.

[Vinay Menon]

Well, this should be an interesting night.

[moe green]

I'm finding it hard to get into the game tonight. So what if they win, they'll just collapse next game. Burke pays lip-service to winning yet plays our best minder in the Marlies. It's okay, just don't pretend you want to win. So what tonight? Do we wait until the going gets tough and then quit?

Oh great another meaningless Orr fight. What a useless thing these fights are. Good, I'm actually glad he buttoned Orr!

Oh, and to Bomber: Ketchup and Texas-style Chili.

[moe green]

Here's an idea: The Leafs should develop some sort of "system" for when the puck is in their zone. Maybe they could hire some sort of coach. Oh and "nice save."

[Vinay Menon]

Well, this should be a horrifying night.

[Alecia]

Vinay! We are going to win. We have surrounded the first goal in how many of our last games and won? The Leafs don't follow any type of logic.

VM Replies: 1-1. Thank God for Clarke MacArthur, that's what I say. Imagine this season without him.

[Alecia]

Did I really just type surrounded? *sigh*

VM Replies: The puffer! I kind of like "surrounded the first goal." It's more poetic than surrendered.

[moe green]

hey that's practically the first time this year that I haven't gotten excited about a tying goal for the leafs.

VM Replies: The Leafs can't break the spirit of Moe Green. This is an outrage.

[moe green]

Not yet broken Vinay, but it's badly bruised.