Game Day: Why the Reimer recall is good news for Gustavsson

The decision to recall James Reimer can be interpreted in many ways. But first and foremost, this is clearly an intervention for Jonas Gustavsson.

And his response to this intervention – even if nobody uses that word – will shape his future with the Leafs.

I was listening to Deerhunter's Halcyon Digest last night and for some reason two songs – "Memory Boy" and "Helicopter" – reminded me of Goose. It's hard not to feel sorry for this poor guy.

What has happened? Are we witnessing a sophomore slump? Is Gustavsson putting too much pressure on himself to match the outer-orbital greatness achieved in Sweden?

Or is The Monster now spooked by something we can't see?

Whatever the reason, the 26-year-old is at a crossroads. Before the season started, the plan was simple: Gustavsson would march along the chosen path as the team's future No. 1 goalie.

He would ascend, once again, toward the greatness.

Veteran J.S. Giguere, the present No. 1, would mentor the talented protégé. Goaltending coach Francois Allaire would continue to fine-tune the youngster's game for North America, working on angles, rebound control, lateral movement and positional dynamics.

Alas, the plan has not proceeded as expected.

Gustavsson has played in 23 games this season. He has 6 wins, 13 losses and two OT setbacks. His save percentage is .890, which ranks 44th in a 30-team league. His GAA is an equally grim 3.29, which ranks 43rd.

But even more troubling than cold numbers is the mysterious evaporation of his confidence. Instead of the outer-orbit, Gustavsson is trapped in a personal hell of fiery insecurity and paralyzing self-doubt.

After overcoming cardiac problems and culture shock to start last season, after grinning in interviews and promising to "steal" some games from Vesa Toskala, the soft-spoken bravado has turned into shell-shocked silence.

During his last start, the disastrous 7-0 loss to the Rangers, Gustavsson looked like a child lost at the mall. He was forlorn and traumatized, despondent and alone. When he was yanked in the first after surrendering three goals in 2:26 seconds, it was painful to watch him on the bench.

His mask remained on, as if by protective instinct. His eyes kept darting up at the scoreboard, as if he couldn't quite believe what just happened. And twice his padded legs kicked out violently, an almost involuntary physical act borne from acute psychological frustration.

He had reached a new low.

This brings us back to Reimer. And here, though Gustavsson probably doesn't want to hear it, the news is good: In a perverse way, this recall proves the team still believes in him.

If they didn't, he would likely be starting tonight's game against Carolina. They would keep playing him, possibly showcasing him for a trade. They would let him, force him, to work through this slump in real time.

They would leave Jonas Gustavsson to fight his demons on his own.

But by calling up Reimer, the Leafs are doing the opposite: They are trying to save Gustavsson. They are recognizing he needs an extended time-out. They sense he is adrift at sea and they are tossing him an anchor before his confidence vanishes in the chop.

They are intervening to free him from his personal hell.

As with any intervention, this will be difficult at first. Barring injuries or an unforeseen personnel change, my guess is Reimer will now split the workload with Giguere. All this talk of carrying three goalies or bringing the kid up because there is roster room is a red herring.

For now, it's The Jiggy & Reimer Show.

For Leaf fans, meanwhile, the Reimer recall is also good news because it indicates the team still believes it can take a mad dash for the final playoff spot, however improbable. That's the bottom line: Reimer is confident and itching to help win games down the stretch.

As for Gustavsson, he may go down to the Marlies for a conditioning stint. If he agrees to such an assignment, he wouldn't have to clear waivers. Or he may continue to work on his game with the coaching staff until the intervention is deemed a success.

Whatever happens, whatever sound bites trickle out at the official level, Gustavsson is now on a break. But when he's ready to return, the chosen path will be waiting.

 

PHOTO: CHRIS YOUNG/CANADIAN PRESS

Comments

[We BeLeaf]

Well done Vinay, I think most would agree that his confidence level has dropped to a point where he's probably doubting or second-guessing his abilities. There is another possibility which could also be a factor and I think it has been mentioned before: he may not be able to adjust his style of play to what Francois Allaire expects of him. In any case, I am glad that something is being done to improve the team and the player. Cheers.

VM Replies: It will be interesting to see what Reimer does with this second shot at glory.

[Chad]

In defense of Gustavson, when you've been sitting on the bench for as many games as he did, getting shelled like he did against the Rangers shouldn't be surprising. Before that game when did he last get an actual start in net?
He's not a back up goalie. He's probably never in his life sat for more then two or three games in a row (barring injury's of course). How is he supposed to develop into an NHL goalie if he isn't playing on a more consistent basis? Tough situation....

VM Replies: Incredibly tough situation.

[othermark]

I will give you style points for this blog, but I think your hypothesis is deeply flawed. The Leafs won't be sitting the Goose because they choose not to 'show case him for a potential trade.' I would ask, who in the right mind would make that trade? He'll be sitting because he has played lousy. With his one year deal just about up, it's time to see what Reimer can do on an extended basis. Giggy may still be around next year (at a reduced rate), so he can still play a mentor role ... but to whom is the question the Leafs are trying to answer. I believe the Gustuvsson experiment is over; now it's time to see the Marlies goaltenders and decide who the next heir apparent should be. Gustuvsson reminds me of Telquist and Toskola. Shows you just enough to think they could develop into a great goal tender... but then they fail to bring their game to that next level. A shame, but a relatively cheap experiment this time around.

VM Replies: You make a good point. (Also, my nickname in university was "Deeply Flawed Hypothesis.")

[Ostrich Lover]

I agree with Mark on almost all of his points, I think this is just a case of Gus playing horribly and the Leafs having no choice but to do something about it Vinay, I gotta give you mad respoct for the Deerhunter reference. That is easily the best album of 2010. Well not that easily, Suberbs was pretty close.

VM Replies: What about Beach House's Teen Dream? Not a bad track on that entire album.

[Nik Culoman]

@Othermark My reply to you is this...When the Monster was playing well what did you think of him?? I am sure like others, myself included thought our goalie situation was answered.

His play has dipped, and maybe it's the sophmore jinx, or maybe he came into camp too over confident that he had the back up job on lockdown. Since than Reimer has emerged as a decent option for the future, We still don't know what we have in any of our goalie prospects, starting with the Monster to Rynnas...Reimer and Scrivens. We still don't know, but time will tell.

My opinion with all our prospects before writting them off. is patience and developement. I would ship the Monster off to the AHL for some conditioning, and further goalie instruction. He may still be struggling with the small ice surface, but one never knows. Winning breeds more confidence, and sending him to the AHL doesn't mean he should be cast of the island...But it could be the first step in developing one hell of an amazing goalie.

So to start saying Gustuvsson is somehow like Tosgola and Telquvist is still very early and very harsh. Because we aren't to far removed when we all thought he was amazing.

VM Replies: I tend to agree with you on this, Nik. Related to othermark's comment, I think the question becomes: Is Gustavsson playing lousy because he *is* lousy or is he playing lousy because his confidence is shot?
If it's the latter, it would be premature and profoundly unwise to throw him overboard given his past success in Sweden and even during the second half of last season.

[MAO239ca]

Excellent post as always Vinay. This blog has become a part of my daily routine. Exceptionally funny.

Am I the only person that has noticed Toronto is the hockey town where goalie careers come to die? This team/city continually appears to bring it what should be an outstanding net-minder, and by the end (by way of retirement, trade, or psychiatric disability) all that is left is a withering shell of an NHL'er walking in circles muttering to themselves: "Why did I agree to Toronto... my agent must be after me.... get MacGuire's voice outta my head..." and so on and so forth.

There's always so much talk about the goaltending situation in Ottawa, or lack thereof, but how is it nobody talks about the affect this team/city seems to have on the phsyce of those who take a shot in net for Toronto?

VM Replies: Now that's interesting. For all the talk about Blue and White Disease, maybe there's another pathogen lurking in the crease.

[oilandgas]

Gusto was stellar in November December when the Leafs were laughs and could not score a goal. His "losses" would have been wins on any other team. If "the team plays better in front of (someone else)," then it's because they know if another goalie is humiliated then logic dictates the team sucks, not the goalie. They play better, in other words, to hide the truth. Hiding the truth is the game of savage men and the world is full of them. Would Gusto have been left in against NYC for the drubbing anywhere by another coach with other options? No. Giguer was ineffectual as usual and Gustavvson had to bite the bullet, inexplicably. In NYC, as in St. Louis, he bit the bullet to watch his numbers wrecked.

VM Replies: There's no question he hasn't received much goal support. But he's also allowed too many iffy goals.

[waffles2010]

I woke up this morning and discovered that while I love the Leafs I also really, really, hate them.
The fact that they suck in more than half of their games has very little to do with who is in between the pipes.
Does anyone think that if the Leafs could have played in front of any goalie in the league for the game in MSG, that we would have won? I certainly don't. They got shelled. No goalie wins that game for us.
Why do we keep rewarding this spoiled bunch of babies by giving in to their petulance? We did this last year. I think they play better in front of that kid Gustavsson. We should get rid of Toskala. Now it all hangs on Reimer. Great, the more things change, the more they remain the same.
When I was a boy and playing road hockey every chance we got. When we were short a goalie we used a snow shovel. We decided that the better TEAM got the snow shovel. The games were always competitive.
Chris Osgood has won the Stanley Cup 3 times. He has never been considered for the Olympic team, doesn't get many all star nods, 3 in case you wondered. Why has he won then? He's not the best goalie in the world. He's not even in the discussion.
Because he plays behind the best TEAM in the league. TEAM, TEAM, TEAM.
I like Reimer as a goalie, I said so from the start. Where are we if the bad Leafs come back when he is in net?, and they hang him out to dry, like they hung the Goose in NY. What on Earth do we do if they break his confidence? Do we cry?
Nice blog today Vinay as usual. Your line about the anchor was a little clunky. Please forgive my anger today. I really, really hate them today.

VM Replies: Cheer up, lad. Need you in the broadcast booth tonight.

[hoofheartz]

VM: Am I the oldest phart that posts here? Who are these no name bands you keep referring to? Do they get airtime on the Mighty Q? If they don't, how good can they be? Do you know whats in my 8-track right now?

VM Replies: My guess is these no-name bands will never get airtime on the Mighty Q unless the DJ booth is commandeered by Pitchfork-loving, 20-somethings who live along Queen Street West.
Still, I like their music.
What's in your 8-track right now? If you're citing 107.1, my guess is Zeppelin, Stones or The Doobies. (Close?)

[TG77]

I will agree with Nik here. Jonas won 7 straight starts last year while alternating with Jiggy and while this blog didn't exist at the time (maybe a good thing given my dip in productivity since) but posters on the regular articles were in love with the Goose. It is obvious he is struggling with his confidence to all of us who have watched his last few games and it's also obvious he hates to lose. A lot of posters on here talk about how it drives them crazy that the current roster doesn't seem to care enough when they lose. I also remember a lot of people ripping Schenn last year for having a tough 2nd year and hoping he would be traded while he "still has value." I hope Jonas gets a chance to turn it around in the blue and white - even if that includes a stint with the Marlies. Price, Mason etc have all had tough years following some early success so who knows.

VM Replies: Exactly. "Who knows" is exactly right.

[Darren]

Great post Vinay. I wonder if Goose would be better suited if he were allowed to play his natural style (play a bit deeper in the net and rely on his reflexes and quickness). It seems the 'blocking' style doesn't seem to agree with his natural instincts as a goalie. Methinks there is another Swedish goalie named Lundqvist that plays this style! Excellent work as always V!

VM Replies: Thanks, Darren.

[Ostrich Lover]

I dont get how people can be leaf fans and say they hate the Leafs. Who cares if they suck this year, or if they dont make the playoffs? The team is being rebuilt and we have a lot to look forward to. As for Riemer, he is the only goalie to steal a win for the Leafs in the last two years, so why not play the hell out of him and let Gigure adjust to life as a backup?

BTW Beach House is not an album I have heard, since I only get hear what I buy because of a possibly misguided moral sense of decency as it relates to internet piracy. Maybe I will pick it up soon, though I just spent this weeks CD money on The Promise - by Springsteen - being that it is outtakes from the best album ever realeased by someone not named Lennon, Mcartney or Dylan, (Darkness on the Edge of Town) it is almost as surprisingly good as Wilsons Smile from 2004.

[Nik Culoman]

Some fans in Toronto have Bipolar disease when it comes to the players and this team...When they are playing amazing they are hockey Gods, when they loose or in this case having a tough go of things as is the case with The Monster, now he has become a waste and someone we should try to get rid of...

Like TG77 states, and I have also...How many are happy that we didn't trade Luke Schenn when he was having a bad run of things last year?? How many of you are the same people who wanted him to be trade "while he had some value"? Only in Toronto does a player go from hero to zero in no time at all.

Give these kids a chance to develope, give them time to see where they stand...PATIENCE, PATIENCE PATIENCE should be key. Let's stop chasing players out of town, and let's take the slow and patient route......

If the Monster needs time in the AHL how is that a bad thing?? He could spend even more time with Francois Allaire, and he could regain that confidence he had last year. We have championed far worse players and far older players, so give this guy a chance..

IF, he doesn't pan out, what has the team given up?? This team continues to develope a sense of accountability, and having this healthy competition in goal can only help this team in the future.

[leefan]

It's not even so much Gustavsson's lack of confidence. I think what's worse is that the team has no confidence in him. They start every game with him in net looking nervous and afraid to make a mistake. When they do, it ends up in his net with alarming frequency. It feeds on itself. I hope he will agree to go to the Marlies for a while, and the point a previous poster made about everyone calling for Schenn to be dumped last year is well taken. He might just need a change and a chance to get back on track, I think it is too soon to give up on him entirely.

[hoofheartz]

VM: Pink Floyd - the Wall. Anyone know where I can get a good lava lamp.
OL: It's easy to love/hate the Leafs. They take us to highs and make us believe better things are on the way, only to string together crappy games that make us believe nothing will ever change. It's somewhat of an abusive relationship that's impossible to get out of. I think that's why regular posters here consider this blog somewhat of a support group. All we need now is someone to come up with the Leaf fan 12 Step program.

[James]

I can't believe some fans that think Gustavsson is done and think Reimer is the next CuJo. Jeez, we're not an impatient, irrational bunch at all!

You can't write off a goalie that has shown promise before this streak set in. And while Reimer looked good, that was one week in which very little pressure was bestowed upon him. I'm not ready to coronate him yet.

How about we wait out some of our prospects and young players before we draw conclusions on their career? Like, say, more than one season of work. God knows we're not going anywhere in the standings anytime soon.

[Ostrich Lover]

its way too early to give up on Gus, how old was Tim Thomas when he had his first good year? 80?

[TG77]

Some really good posts this morning.

Waffles - this is quite true about needing a team in front of them. Is Sergei Bobrobovsky a great goalie? He might be but when you have Pronger, Carle, Timonen, Carter, Richards, Briere, Hartnell and so on, he doesn't need to be great. The Hawks had Toews, Kane, Keith, Seabrook, Sharp, Ladd, Byufglien, Versteeg in their lineup. Niemi vs. Leighton was the goaltending match-up for the SC finals. Not Luongo vs. Brodeur.

Here is my analogy for the day: M Night Shamalayan debuted with the Sixth Sense and he was considered the greatest filmmaker of the day...blah, blah, blah. Until the Goose makes his version of Lady in the Water (i.e. a 12-0 pasting by the Oilers) then I am not going to give up on him.

[Krakondack]

Even when Gustavsson was having good games, he never convinced me as a good to great goalie. He was always nervous, fidgety, overplaying the puck, ducking out of the way of it at times as it went in, backing off the post when standing still, it would have simply hit him. He has never played rebounds well at all, and will kick them out at ice-level into prime scoring territory. And I think the team is nervous in front of him; always has been. That goes some distance to explaining the lack of goals when he was having good games. So now that the team needs to win, they simply can't afford to play him. That's what's behind this, in my opinion. What to do with him long-term, that question will be answered in the off-season, most likely.

[Ostrich Lover]

One thing about Gustuvson: He does this wierd one leg down one leg against the post stance that has been used to let in at least 3 or 4 bad goals. I am no goaltending expert, but I have not seen this wierd position used much by other goalies. What is wrong with hugging the post like normal? Anyone else notice this? Anyone actually play goal and know what theyre talking about and could possibly shed light on this style ?

[moe green]

Great post. A perspective on the Reimer/Goose situation that I hadn't even considered. You mentioned in your post that he wouldn't have to clear waivers; I had read the opposite elsewhere.

If true, then he has to go down for the remainder of the season. How can it be anything but helpful. I really think Wilson has done a lot to injure Goose's confidence. Maybe Dallas Eakins can restore some of it.

Oh and I don't agree about Gustavsson and the Rangers game. I think we could have won that game with a different goalie in net. Of course that's assuming he didn't give the team a reason to collapse in front of him.

Glad to see you're back walking among the living Vinay.

VM Replies: If a player is sent down for conditioning purposes, he doesn't have to clear waivers. For this to happen, however, he has to agree (and league has to approve). Conditioning time must also not exceed 14 calendar days.

[Darren]

It is definitely way too early to give up on Goose. The problem now is that he needs to spend some time in the minors (would a two week conditioning stint be enough? Who knows) but he would have to clear waivers if they send him down. Even though he's having a rough season, he would certainly get claimed by another team. In retrospect, he would have been better suited to follow the growth plan that Rynnas is on right now!

[TPiddy]

Our penalty killing and defense have declined for the past 6 years. There are only two constants in those 6 years: Assistant coach Keith Acton, and Tomas Kaberle. Both need to go.

[Simmer]

I've never bought into the premise of players playing based on who is in net behind them. Sure, you may be a little more nervous if the other team has a breakaway on your weaker goalie compared to your stronger goalie, but that shouldn't affect how you play your game. Goose this year has been pretty much what he's been since he came here, inconsistent.

I'm with some of the others in that I'm not crazy about how his play has developed through his tenure with Allaire, but in my opinion, the biggest thing I notice is that he seems to feel like he should be able to walk from the Sweedish Elite league to the NHL and not miss a step. We do need some more patience with him, but he also need more patience with himself. I see him as a good backup goalie right now, but with a little patience and more development there still is that chance he can become a starter, he does have the intangibles.

@TG77 I love the reference. Side note - The Last Airbender was nominated for 9 Razzies.

[waffles2010]

Hey Moe, please explain to me how the Leafs are going to win a game in which they do not score? Just wondering. Or was the new goalie going to do that too?

[Boo Who?]

At the risk of sounding like a broken record - it shouldn't matter who they play in front of, their objectives remain the same. They lack focus. And cohesion. Who are they playing for right now? Ideally it would be for their coach, each other and their fans. Not just the goalie they like the best. Sure, they might have to adjust their style of play to bolster weaker areas depending on who is in goal, but they have to do that whenever there are changes thrown their way. People get injured, Wilson juggles lines around, let's not even talk about how widely opposing teams vary in terms of game approach - isn't anyone able to think on their feet and take it in stride when the unexpected comes their way?

I would argue that the potential to do so is there (we've seen these guys play some pretty impressive hockey when they feel like it) but it's not being drawn upon regularly. I think the crisis of confidence extends all the way through the roster, Jonas is just the most visible example, because he's the only man out there doing that particular job.

[TG77]

Ahh, what could have been, Pogge gone wild in the AHL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gu1GN1eAALA&feature=player_embedded

The announcer is exceedingly annoying but I almost feel sorry for Pogge at this stage in his career. I truly hope he gets it together one day.

[Carlos]

A lack of confidence isn't Gustavsson's only problem; he lacks a certain level-headedness and mental toughness that he may not be able to learn. It may also be something that a conditioning stint cannot fix.

Let's assume that he gets his confidence back and starts playing really well. After a fluke bad game or two, suddenly his confidence is shot and he's back in a goaltending death spiral again. What makes a good goaltender a great goaltender is performing well and calmly under pressure, giving your team the save it needs at the right moment, and the ability to shake off a tough game and play well the next time out. And, I'm sorry to say, I haven't seen any of that in Gustavsson yet. I wish him luck, but it seems his problems exist just as much between his ears as between the pipes.

[palbo]

Is it just me -you can all yell at me - or is it possible that F Allaire isn't quite the goaIie guru he is made out to be .... i know , it' s heresy. I'm losing a little confidence in the guy.

[leafland'r]

Vinay....I enjoy your blogs. Now,if time is limited I pass on the other two major Toronto dailys and go ditectly to the Star and if only a few minutes are available then it's the Leaf Fan blog only.

hoofheartz...Pink Floyd? You're still young. If you are the eldest blogger then you'd have an 8 track compilation af Bill Hailey and the Comets and Patti Page with a touch Guy Lombardo. You might even be sporting a kisscurl on your forehead.

Gustavsson.... stand up. Practise moving from post to post on your skates from time to time. Introduce your stick to the 5-hole. Your upper body will spring quickly to cover the upper part of the net if you are not always on your knees. Sometimes accept that the puck got past five other players before it by you. It's a team score, not a goalie score.

VM Replies: Thank you, leafland'r.

[Rooney]

I find it interesting that we continue to talk about the goalies when goal tending does not seem to be the team's largest problem. I also think the two kids need to be playing regularly (at the AHL or NHL level) if they are to improve their skills and if they are going to be part of the future. I hope they do not end up sitting around watching Giggy play. This team is not void of skill at any position but any night they choose not to bring a hard work effort, the team chemistry and individual skill/talent level seems to get tossed out the window. Either Wilson has to find a way to get them to bring it every game or BB has to make changes so the chemistry in the room is such that each player wants to bring it every night. Otherwise inconsistency will be the name of the game.

@VM, I am with Hoof. Deerhunter? What the heck is going on down on Queen Street? I am only in my late thirties but I won't be buying that album.

[Nik Culoman]

@ Palbo...F. Allaire won a cup with Patrick Roy and with Giggy during their tenure together in Aneheim. Now to me, that isn't hype....That is a proven track record...Both goalies won cups with him coaching them......

Hype is what the fans do when a new guy enters the lineup......This guy is a proven winner, it's just finding the channels to reach a goalie who seems down on himself.

[Crippler]

Another great article Vinay.... this is not my favorite place to check on what's happening.... thank you thank you thank you....

VM Replies: Wait a minute. What is your favourite place?

[hoofheartz]

VM: off topic again, but I just listened to 1:06 of Helicopter. Please keep up the outstanding work on this blog and the other articles you write for the Star but whatever you do don't apply for the job of "music critic if it ever comes up. I'm off now to find a cotton swab in the hopes that I can stem the flow of blood from my ears.

VM Replies: Oh, man. My side is now hurting. I'm sorry you suffered through an entire minute of Helicopter.
I shall refrain from embedding music videos in the future.

[Account Deleted]

Doors reference in one blog then Deerhunter?? Either VM is trying to placate us all or he is musically eternal.Anyway,my votes are Reimer all the way and Deep Purple.

VM Replies: If "Smoke on the Water' plays inside my head throughout tonight's game, there will be hell to pay.

[Boo Who?]

I thought these numbers were interesting: we sit in the bottom third of the league in both Goals/game and Goals Against/game. Which appears to bear out the now familiar refrain of 'poor offense, poor defense, Leafs suck'. Yet we're in the top third of the league for Shots Against. Which suggests that our defense isn't as porous as we think? It's certainly never looked as though other teams have held back against us offensively, they like to bury us every chance they get. So if we're allowing fewer shots, and the other team continues to score...

Someone needs to point me in the direction of more in depth statistics because I'm having a hard time accepting that so much of our issue is rooted in goaltending. It just feels too much like scapegoating.

VM Replies: It sounds like you need some kind of companion robot to help crunch stats. An R2D2, perhaps.

[Tom]

VM my man, this is a totally technical point, but I am personally sick of needing to highlight the user names of those who arent registered with typepad, considering its grey on white. AWFUL. Get those Star website techs to do something about it D:

VM Replies: You know, I asked my tech overlords about this a while back when it was first raised as an issue. Just realized I never heard back.
I agree: It doesn't seem very democratic. But it may be a Typepad quirk, so not something we can control from this end. At any rate, I'll check again...

[Account Deleted]

So do the Who stats mean that all the many pucks we turn over do not end up as shots???

VM Replies: The other issue with correlating team GAA and opposition shots is there's no way to break-out "bad" goals. But I am now investigating Ms. Boo's comment.

[TimB]

As a sign of solidarity with Tom I am going to post without Typepad.It was the only way I could figure how to post.(another 8 track guy in a Mp3 world)Hope this works......"fire in the sky"......

[hoofheartz]

They burned down the gambling house, it died with an awful sound.

[TimB]

Maybe everyone knows this,but it appears in order to post you can not paste your email address into the form.You have to type it in.

[Boo Who?]

@ VM - At least you've stopped threatening to ban my IP whenever I geek out on you. :)

I'm glad you're on the case as well, because I'm bugged I couldn't find anything meatier to set my droid to work on. Occam's razor just ain't cutting it on this one. Our pampered pooches on D can't possibly be earning their keep! Right?!

VM Replies: William of Occam would make the best special teams coach. Just saying.

[TimB]

"When it all was over,we had to find another place" Suddenly I'm in the old VW again!

VM Replies: You need to stop this now. I'm begging you.

[TimB]

Sorry.Going to defrost a couple of squares and settle in for the game.

[moe green]

I baking brownies tonight. I watched these Canes play the Bruins earlier and though they lost they were a tough, big bruising team. I'm a scared. We can win this but it's gonna take a Herculean (to borrow what I think was a Danny Gallivan phrase) effort. Strike early and often Leaf-bastards, this Ward kid is the real deal. Go you dirty Leafs buzzards, Go!

P-freakin-S: As if I really have to say it: This game is a BIGGUN!!!

VM Replies: The booth is yours, Moe Green.

[moe green]

I will do my best though it will be intermittent tonight I'm aftraid VM. Kessel needs some lessons on being more creative.

[moe green]

NHL has to do something about these cheap penalties.

[TG77]

Dion Phaneuf with the biggest hit of the year (maybe). On a side note, my feed sucks. It sounds like a combo of the Chipmunks cartoon and those trials in the 80's when metal music was played backwards to see if the devil himself had been recorded.

VM Replies: That hit was insane. Pretty sure it registered on Richter equipment outside Raleigh.

[moe green]

How did Beauchemin NOT clear that.

[moe green]

Great PK!

VM Replies: It's early but they are looking good.

[moe green]

SO far so good - they survived the first ten minutes - almost. THis Canes team is tough on the forecheck. Tough as anyone I've seen recently. This is gonna be a battle!

[TimB]

Colby and Bozak on the PK!!

[moe green]

Yes, I have a crap feed too TG. I can tell which team it is beyond that...

[moe green]

The Leafs still seem to be running around in their own end. Not sure but I think some sort of coaching would help a lot.

[moe green]

Oh come on Leafs. We really need to kill this. I really hate the sloppy penalties. No prob, just kill it. Maybe a shorty? I love that Grabovski's line is solid on the PK. They should be dangerous shorthanded too. Go go-go!

[moe green]

We need a centre so we can have Bozak, Versteeg and Army on the checking line!

[moe green]

What a crap goal. After all that good work. I don't think our Leafs can handle another one. See, now that's a fight I don't mind. I love Super-Mac!

[moe green]

Supes? Mac" Crack? Oh and I think Boo's "YODA" is a good nick for Reimer? Anyone?

[oilandgas]

Good blog.
I'm going to bed, though. Giggy just let in another iffy goal.

[TG77]

Just lost the feed but saw stills of the goal and of McArthur spinning Chad Larose around and a fist raised ready to smoke him.

VM Replies: Big Mac is a ferocious little bastard.

[moe green]

So, as a never-say-die kind of Leaf fan, I say this is a game we have to win. Did anyone see the goal. Was it stoppable. By that I mean, would the other team's goalie have had it? I can't tell with my feed.

VM Replies: Weird deflection of Leaf skate.

[moe green]

Kessel reminds me of Wendell Clark if Clark had a little more raw talent and was also a 16 year old girl.

[waffles2010]

I can't believe that it is possible to give up the first goal in 9 straight games. Hello Leaf fans, 9 straight, must be a record. Broken.

[TG77]

Leading scorer and provider of some of the most memorable scraps/one-sided beatdowns off the season. If I call him the light-weight champion of the NHL it's no disrespect to Sparky because guys like Brown, Neill etc are in that weight class. Crosby-McArthur might be an interesting battle.

Got the feed back and why is Komisarek stick tapping? He put it 8 feet wide.

Tie it up boys.

[moe green]

MacKulebovski should be Leafs MVP. What a line. Imagine if we had a first line with a lethal sniper. Why do I hate Kessel so much? He irks me nightly. Now if he scores on the pp i love him again.

[waffles2010]

No Moe, Jiggy had no real chance of stopping the deflection.

[moe green]

And riddle me this: Why bring Reimer up and then bench him? Am I nuts or is that nuts?

VM Replies: They brought him up for tomorrow.

[moe green]

Praise Gilmour they scored.

[TimB]

Could get ugly! Notice Mac never hits a guy when he is down.Class act!

[Boo Who?]

Not to interrupt, but I'm just gonna leave this here.

Our 'Guardian' has been revealed:

http://mapleleafs.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=550430

Um. Someone please help me see this any other way - his name is 'Trunk'. He is made entirely of...wood. His superpowers include: the ability to grow larger at will, fire "sticky sap bombs" from the tips of his branches, and penetrate any surface with his roots. Is he, uh, like a...metaphor or whateveryoumacallit, for uh...yeah. Just me? Just me. I need to go for a conditioning stint in a nail salon or something, restore the balance.

[TG77]

YESSSSSSSS! About time the Leafs got one of those horrid greasy goals and that only Vesa could let in.

Oh crap Kulemin just got clocked. That was nasty. Grabovski nearly flew into the bunch there on that hit so I assume that is going to be the 1st penalty. Gleason with a cheap shot as Kulemin is no fighter but Kules did seem to be giving his share prior to that. Thoughts? This game has quite a lot of nastiness to it.

VM Replies: I fear this is one of those nights in which we'll miss having Colton Orr in the line-up. Bad blood rising.

[moe green]

Man I love Grabovski. Too bad he got hurt. Still WTG Grabo! Sell Kessel to the Saudis - I'll take a team of Grabovskis, Kulemins and MacArthurs any day. I'd love a team of 2 million dollar players. No superstars. Do the Saudi's need a spoiled little sucky-baby? Why the Kessel hate tonight? And all by me. Who can say?

[Alecia]

Wow, this is shaping up to be quite a game... Leafs look really hungry in this one.

[moe green]

Who got popped - I thought it was Grabo? Was it Kulemin?

VM Replies: Yeah, poor, sweet Kuli.

[80s Leafs]

Brophy better have Brown out there after Gleason for that tune-up job he did on Kul-io! I mean Wilson better... This game has great bad-blood!

[moe green]

Excellent Boo and appropriate for this blog too. (Can I call you Boo, or are we still on a Boo Who? basis?

[waffles2010]

I guess that Sjostrom is in the lineup. No Rosehill. Too bad.

[TG77]

Is Rosehill in there? He has no concern about running Eric Staal given he hit Crosby (with a perfectly clean hit) in the Pens game. I know this point is oft-debated but why do players have to fight if they throw a huge legal hit? Isn't that the point of hockey? To play physical?

[moe green]

Vin, why would we miss Orr - "Mac the Knife" is in the lineup! Seriously though, Orr's just gonna fight their goon anyway. I really don't see the point.

[Alecia]

Colton Orr?? Who need's Orr? Did you SEE MacArthur out there!?

[moe green]

They outta be hungry Alecia, they've missed a lot of meals recently. Time to make pigs of themselves.

[moe green]

Off the subject of the Leafs, when is the NHL gonna fix the concussion problem. Watters is right here - the answer is to make the shoulder pads softer. I usually hate to agree with him but devil his due!

[TG77]

I just saw the penalties went up on the game summary and looks like Gleason got 17 minutes so let's hope for a replay of the Leafs PP production against the Thrashers when Eager suckered Colby. Moe - I understand your anger towards Phil at times because my buddy and I often watch the games and can't believe the amount of times he doesn't move his feet on the ice and his unwillingness to get into a puck battle or absorb a hit to make a pass. Basically this gets magnified in games he doesn't score and gets forgiven when he does.

[moe green]

Leafs set too many records like that Waffles. They are also known as the "slump-busters."

[moe green]

Are their a slimier group of weasels than Poker Players? Lawyers? Politicians?

[waffles2010]

You're right Moe, if you are in a goal scoring slump, you WANT to play the Leafs.

[Vinay Menon]

No Orr, no Rosehill. In what's shaping up to be a war, we don't have an enforcer in the line-up for the first time this season. I don't know. I just hope everybody in the room spent the first intermission staring at Kulemin's rearranged face and is ready to bring it.

[waffles2010]

I nominate Kessel and Kaberle as our goons. Maybe getting punched in the face will help their compete level.

[Alecia]

Alright, I expect the Leafs to burst out and score 5-6 goals tonight.

VM Replies: Wow.

[moe green]

I think we will be okay Vinay. Don't enforcers just fight other enforcers?

[TG77]

The Leafs just showed why they got shut out 6 times earlier in the season. Bury some chances boys..and there goes the power play.

[Ken Baumgartner]

Hey folks, I just want to give a little warming about Reimer. He has played well but did lose his last game. Everyone has said to bring him up because he is better. The thing is that he has only played 4 NHL games, 2 losses and he is .500. he has played well and probably deserves the shot he is getting but it could go south in a hurry. I hope not and would welcome the second coming on Felix Potvin but we should not get too excited too soon. I agree with Nik and patience on this one.

Who was it that said Toronto is where goalies come to die and you found it interesting Vinay? This is only since the lock out. Before that we had Belfour, Cujo, Potvin and Fuhr. That, I would say is not a goalie death watch.

[moe green]

Jiggy's been solid so far. I really think we'll be okay. Phaneuf and Beauchemin are tough enough!

VM Replies: If the score stays close, we should be fine. I know I'm in the minority here, and realize it sounds decidedly T-Rexish, but when a first period gets nasty like that I do value players like Orr.
As I say, I'm a fool on this point.

[moe green]

Another thing the league has to do is make goal off of your own team mates skate a no-goal. Too many deflections off skates in the crease for me.

[waffles2010]

Hey those bastards in Carolina have cheerleaders. When are they coming to Toronto? This would be great. Kulemin still in the dressing room, not good. Hope he comes back. Sounds like Alecia is still getting her prescriptions.

[moe green]

Can u guys see that in?

VM Replies: I never saw it in the net, which is the criterion. It seems like it must have crossed the line but it was not definitive.

[moe green]

Boy this stinks. If this goal counts it's gonna massively change momentum. It's not over but we have to get going hard.

[moe green]

What is the best medication for Leaf fans this season? Heroin? Beer? Suggestions?

VM Replies: 1. Get yourself a cast iron skillet. 2. Hit yourself over the head twice weekly.

[Sens-ible Bill]

An aside: Treeman? (Guardian)
A little TOO literal, don't you think?
Was worried what cliché-ridden, no-feel-for-the-game Stan Lee might come up with for my Senators.
Now not so worried. No disrespect to Leaf-land intended, but it could NOT be any lamer than this.
Just IMHO.

VM Replies: I suspect most of Leafs Nation is in agreement with you, Sens-ible Bill.

[moe green]

Stan Lee IS a hack.