Pre-Game Talk: Sabres vs. Leafs| Sportsnet 7:00| HOME OPENER

[Pyrophorus]

I think Buffalo downgraded in choosing toughness over offense.

 

[BayStBullies]

Potential story lines...

• Scrivens saves
• Kostka repeats performance
• Lupul shows he is worth his new contract.
• Battle of the chirps..Komarov vs. Ott, Komorov vs. Grigorenko
• Punch fest; Brown vs Ott, Orr vs Scott (2:10 TOI vs flyers )
• Battle of the mishandled prospects: Kadri vs. Hodgson

I don't think Kadri was mishandled; that sort of thinking originated from rival fans. He had dangerous elements to his game and bad off ice habits when he got here. Now he is a mature; responsible; fit player. His defensive game is leaps and bounds above where it used to be. His offense has not suffered either; now he makes safe plays. I'm happy with where he is at in his career; JVR looked to be a step behind yesterday (along with the second line); Komarov will tap in the ugly goals. Kadri performed well; despite his line yesterday. He creates plays out of nothing.

 

[Leafs For Life*]

I'd hope for Riemer to start since he is calm and doesn't let stuff get to him and affect his game, but Carlyle is probably starting Scurvy. This'll be our actual test game, since it was AHL level yesterday.

 

[Drew311]

Yeah Scrivens was a bit shaky but I'm going to boil it down to nerves and being the starter in a season opener in Montreal..who wouldn't be nervous. No matter how shaky he looked though, he only gave up 1 goal and he won the game, gotta go with him tomorrow.

I also want to see more of the Kadri line, Kulemin has to wake the f up. I don't know what has happened to him the past year or so but even last night, he looked like crap.

If you don't expect Kulemin to score 30 goals a season, you won't be disappointed with him. He was good in his own zone last night, the entire line just wasn't clicking. I think we'll see Kulemin turn into more of a defensive specialist under Carlyle. I would consider switching Kulemin and Komarov, since Kulemin is better defensively and Komarov looks pretty aggressive in the offensive zone.

 

[Stats01]

I don't think Kadri was mishandled; that sort of thinking originated from rival fans. He had dangerous elements to his game and bad off ice habits when he got here. Now he is a mature; responsible; fit player. His defensive game is leaps and bounds above where it used to be. His offense has not suffered either; now he makes safe plays. I'm happy with where he is at in his career; JVR looked to be a step behind yesterday (along with the second line); Komarov will tap in the ugly goals. Kadri performed well; despite his line yesterday. He creates plays out of nothing.

I agree, to non Leaf fans Kadri + 3 years of development + maturing = mistreatment...please this guy is ready for prime time. He's the definition of developing a player. Spent time in the minors, paid his dues now he's ready for the show.

 

[darty]

I think Buffalo downgraded in choosing toughness over offense.

Watching them today I'd say they had plenty of skill as well. Trading Kassian for Hodgson upgraded their talent and Ott can actually play as well. Vanek looked good and even Grigorenko was involved as a rookie.

 

[Bedards Dad]

We never win when I see the Leafs play the Sabers. Sorry boys, but I'm probably bringing bad luck.

On the flip side, I have never seen the Sens score a goal on the Leafs in Ottawa.

 

[Stats01]

If you don't expect Kulemin to score 30 goals a season, you won't be disappointed with him. He was good in his own zone last night, the entire line just wasn't clicking. I think we'll see Kulemin turn into more of a defensive specialist under Carlyle. I would consider switching Kulemin and Komarov, since Kulemin is better defensively and Komarov looks pretty aggressive in the offensive zone.

I don't expect Kulemin to score 30 goals but he needs to contribute more offensively especially if he's going to play with Grabo, if he's not going to score or put up more points than he has recently then he needs to be put on the third or fourth line. We can't have another year like he did last season or he might as well pack his bags cause he won't be here long.

 

[Sokil]

 

[dominicmoore19]

This is gonna be a great game! Look for a good hard hitting game with lots of penalties. The special teams are gonna be at work in this one again.

Leafs powerplay entry should work this game as the Sabres arent nearly as defensive as the Habs. The Sabres also dont have great defensive forwards so look for Franson to be able to tee up a lot of shots.

Leafs PK looked pretty decent against the Habs but it'll be put to the test against Buffalo who IMO have a better PP then most teams. Vanek, Pominville, Myers, Erhoff, Ennis, Hodgson is pretty deadly. Scrivens will have to be sharp and the players will really have to challenge. The Flyers were much too passive and it really killed them.

The physical game should be interesting as the Leafs put up 39 hits, and the Sabres only 14 I believe, but look for more hits out of them. Komarov, Komi, Orr, Brown, McClement, Phaneuf will be counted on to outmatch the likes of Foligno, Kaleta, Ott, Regehr and others.

Edit: Start Scrivens, he started off kinda shaky but really made some good saves in the 2nd and 3rd. No need to change goalies after winning a game!

 

[Autologic]

...

Scrivens made the saves he needed to last night and almost pulled out a shutout at the Bell Centre. Got to give the kid another shot.

 

[crump]

I don't think Kadri was mishandled; that sort of thinking originated from rival fans. He had dangerous elements to his game and bad off ice habits when he got here. Now he is a mature; responsible; fit player. His defensive game is leaps and bounds above where it used to be. His offense has not suffered either; now he makes safe plays. I'm happy with where he is at in his career; JVR looked to be a step behind yesterday (along with the second line); Komarov will tap in the ugly goals. Kadri performed well; despite his line yesterday. He creates plays out of nothing.

Your right I should have "mishandled" in quotes.

 

[htpwn]

Yeah Scrivens was a bit shaky but I'm going to boil it down to nerves and being the starter in a season opener in Montreal..who wouldn't be nervous. No matter how shaky he looked though, he only gave up 1 goal and he won the game, gotta go with him tomorrow.

I also want to see more of the Kadri line, Kulemin has to wake the f up. I don't know what has happened to him the past year or so but even last night, he looked like crap.

He was alright defensively last night, minus a few glaring mistakes, and his ice time reflected that (led all Leafs forwards in ice time). However, his play on the other end of the ice was most concerning IMO. I cannot profess to have watched many of his KHL games, but his stats spoke of a resurgence. I didn't see any such thing yesterday. 2010-2011 was not a fluke for Kulemin. He was a physical force for one and a half seasons, one of the best forecheckers on the team. Opposing players couldn't knock him off his skates. That element of his game was not present last year or last night. Hopefully it comes around in the weeks ahead.

 

[Sergei Berezin]

John Scott is a joke of an NHL player.

 

[legendinblue]

2 points.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Must have game before Pitt on Wednesday.

 

[firstemperor]

Keep Scrivens. I feel strongly that Scrivens has more upside than Remier in net- not to mention he got the job done (Reimer looked terrible in the scrimmage by the way, probably why Carlysle chose Scrivens).

 

[The Reaper]

Keep Scrivens. I feel strongly that Scrivens has more upside than Remier in net- not to mention he got the job done (Reimer looked terrible in the scrimmage by the way, probably why Carlysle chose Scrivens).

or maybe Scrivens was already game form

 

[dominicmoore19]

Keep Scrivens. I feel strongly that Scrivens has more upside than Remier in net- not to mention he got the job done (Reimer looked terrible in the scrimmage by the way, probably why Carlysle chose Scrivens).

or maybe Scrivens was already game form

Carlyle said the rust was really showing with Reimer in the later days of camp. Scrivens had already been playing and looked great during camp so it really was an easy decision.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Sabres looked really good today....

 

[Drew311]

I don't expect Kulemin to score 30 goals but he needs to contribute more offensively especially if he's going to play with Grabo, if he's not going to score or put up more points than he has recently then he needs to be put on the third or fourth line. We can't have another year like he did last season or he might as well pack his bags cause he won't be here long.

Like I said, a line of JVR - Kadri - Kulemin is worth a try. Kadri is a natural playmaker and should be perfect with a big scoring winger on each side. Kulemin gets paid like a third liner anyways, so it's not like it's a huge disappointment that he's not producing like a top six forward.

 

[TmlHockeyFan]

Sabres looked really good today....

Vanek 2 goals and 3 assists...

 

[12345*]

I hope Orr doesn't fight John Scott. He'll lose and drop team morale.

 

[Fear The Phil]

Gotta go with Ben, but I see Reimer starting .. Either way a win would be fantastic

 

[7even]

Vanek 2 goals and 3 assists...