Pre-Game Talk: Leafs @ Islanders, Feb 27 7 PM

[Daisy Jane]

Are you suggesting putting a group together of Norway, Austria (etc.) and a group of Canada, US, Sweden? Wouldn't that just push the unbalanced matchups to the knockout rounds? I'd rather have balanced groups like we currently have and see the best teams move on to the knockout rounds. In my lifetime, we've seen a lot of countries start producing NHL players that traditionally haven't really had any (e.g. Norway, Austria, Switzerland). I'm hoping that continues and we get some more parity.

either way works for me - but on the women's side - you had the best 4 teams play against each other - and then you had the best of (not the strongest) play together, and every game was exciting and non-blow-outish. then when you got to the semifinals - each game was close again (and that was Canada/Switzerland, USA/Finland).

I don't think it would necessarily be unbalanced - I mean, no team got "blownout" in quarterfinals anyway that I can recall. but I mean - look at the attiude of most Canadians - it wasn't "oh, yay we beat Norway!" it was "WHY DIDN'T WE BLOW THEM OUT?!"

[it's very akin to the NHL and playing a team like Buffalo - it's because the other team even though they're not as good - does tend to play hard working].

either way is slightly flawed but it was just a suggestion

 

[ACC1224]

Are they practicing today?

 

[SeenSchenn2]

Are they practicing today?

Yeah,

Lines were:

Smith-Bozak-Bodie
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin
McLaren-McClemment-Orr

As per Masters.


Gotta get back on the horse here, hope we keep it going. No JT.

 

[ACC1224]

Yeah,

Lines were:

Smith-Bozak-Bodie
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin
McLaren-McClemment-Orr

As per Masters.


Gotta get back on the horse here, hope we keep it going. No JT.

Thanks.

I'm guessing JVR, Kessel aren't back yet? Full practice tomorrow?

 

[Daisy Jane]

Thanks.

I'm guessing JVR, Kessel aren't back yet? Full practice tomorrow?

probably yes - or even Wednesday then fly out Thursday.

 

[ACC1224]

probably yes - or even Wednesday then fly out Thursday.

I thought they played Thursday?

 

[Daisy Jane]

I thought they played Thursday?

right.
fly out Wednesday. sorry i'm doped up on cold meds.

 

[BonMorrison]

I wish they'd make Kulemin at centre a long-term experiment. He was playing unreal there with Raymond and Bodie. So many smart defensive plays up the middle and set-ups. Also did wonders on the break out because he could dictate the centre of the ice while in the defensive zone.

 

[The Blue Devil]

Gotta take advantage of JT being out.

Nice being able to talk about the Leafs again, I've missed ya'll.

No you haven't.

 

[The Podium]

Gotta take advantage of JT being out.

Nice being able to talk about the Leafs again, I've missed ya'll.

This is the Leafs were talking about. Injury induced player advantage = no effort.

 

[Pi]

I wish they'd make Kulemin at centre a long-term experiment. He was playing unreal there with Raymond and Bodie. So many smart defensive plays up the middle and set-ups. Also did wonders on the break out because he could dictate the centre of the ice while in the defensive zone.

Even the Russian coach tried him at center for a few shifts, he didn't look out of place at all.

 

[Leafs Life Hockey*]

Welcome to the boards

Thank you

 

[BertCorbeau]

Important stretch of games coming up

Must beat the NYI to keep pace with the Habs (who have 1 game in hand) .. If we can beat the Habs on Saturday too that will be a good step forward in jumping them in the standings

Next week are games against Columbus, the Rangers, and the Flyers .. Must win against Columbus to keep ahead of them in the wild card .. And wins against the Rangers and Flyers would be very helpful

Plus a Southern California roadtrip awaits the team after this, so padding some wins in these next 5 games might give them a cushion to work with against those tough West Conference teams

 

[Warden of the North]

Thanks.

I'm guessing JVR, Kessel aren't back yet? Full practice tomorrow?

They're back, just the day off. The only payers not back are team Canada.

Edit, not quite yet

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 55s

Kessel landing in Toronto today. JVR tonight. Leafs say JVR is fine after being banged up in Saturday's game.

 

[Warden of the North]

Not quite ready?

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 1m

Carlyle says Smith is closer to returning than Bolland. But Bolland getting close to a return too.

 

[SprDaVE]

Yeah,

Lines were:

Smith-Bozak-Bodie
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin
McLaren-McClemment-Orr

As per Masters.


Gotta get back on the horse here, hope we keep it going. No JT.

God I hope McLaren hits the waiver wire.

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Can't wait to watch to this one.

The Olympics were great but I'd much rather watch Leafs games at this point, especially if we continue where we left off before the break. Here's to hoping that Phil and JVR come back playing as strong as they were for team USA.

 

[Stats01]

Yeah not surprised they got the day off, there's no point in forcing them to practice, they've had more practice in the last two weeks than the rest of the damn team lol.

 

[legendinblue]

Not sure if serious? The medal round was amazing hockey

Dead serious. I dont think Im the only one.

http://hfboards.mandatory.com/showthread.php?t=1610205

 

[Damisoph]

Have a feeling that Phil and JVR will be flat...need Kadri and Lupul to have a strong game.

 

[leburn98]

Yeah,

Lines were:

Smith-Bozak-Bodie
Lupul-Kadri-Clarkson
Raymond-Bolland-Kulemin
McLaren-McClemment-Orr

As per Masters.


Gotta get back on the horse here, hope we keep it going. No JT.

Thanks.

I'm guessing JVR, Kessel aren't back yet? Full practice tomorrow?

Actually Randy is rolling with these lines on Thursday. I especially like our first line

 

[Warden of the North]

Practice notes

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590 12m

Bolland wouldn't tip his hand regarding a return on Thursday only to say that he is progressing.

David Alter ‏@DavidAlter590 14m

No injury concern for JVR says Carlyle. He's fine. JVR and Kessel could get a lot of practice days to recover from Olympics.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 14m

Sounds like Kessel and JVR will get a couple days off. May not join Leafs fully until Thursday's game in Long Island.

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 17m

Carlyle says he wants his players to look at how Canada won in Sochi and realize that "defence does win."

 

[BertCorbeau]

I thought Carlyle might give Kessel and JVR some time to rest up .. Need them fresh for the stretch run

I feel like the last two weeks were important to us Leaf fans too We got a break from stressing out about the Leafs just making the playoffs to enjoy some excellent Team Canada goodness

I'm refreshed and ready to get all amped up cheering for a Leaf playoff run

 

[Mess]

Practice notes

James Mirtle ‏@mirtle 17m

Carlyle says he wants his players to look at how Canada won in Sochi and realize that "defence does win."

That is the one that should resonate the greatest among the Leafs from this Olympic event.

Hopefully the team was paying attention and watching. Carlyle certainly appears to have.

 

[Gary Nylund]

That is the one that should resonate the greatest among the Leafs from this Olympic event.

Hopefully the team was paying attention and watching. Carlyle certainly appears to have.

Hasn't he been saying this all year long? If the players bought into this they could go places but so far there hasn't been a lot of interest in playing D it seems.