This game was, if not the best, one of the best games I've seen from the Leafs in the last 7 years since the lockout. I am glad i recorded the game, because I have locked and saved it for keeps. Everyone gave 100% tonight. The 3rd period and overtime was like watching playoff hockey! We are just halfway through the season and that was a treat to watch. The game was so fast, I couldn't believe my eyes
The stars brought their A games tonight, Crosby, Malkin and Letang for the Pens, Phaneuf and Kessel for the Leafs. The play was going end to end, passes were going tape to tape
Like someone mentioned Letang is like a 4th forward out there, he was disgustingly on his best showing that I've seen from him and quick tonight for the Pens.
Applauding everybody for their efforts tonight. Hats tipped off to everybody, but special thanks individually to JVR, MacArthur, Kadri, Grabovski, Kulemin, Franson and Fraser for their efforts tonight. They all perfected their roles!
MacArthur is skilled, and can break out from his own end, and he is arguably one of the hardest working players on this team, a true warrior. Do not trade Mac. Kadri although pointless a +2 tonight, crashed the net and created room on the MacArthur and Kessel goals. Keeps hitting and playing hard. One thing i noticed i did not see one drop of sweat on Nazzys head in the 3rd period when he had his helmet off, unbelievable a natural talent.
JVR, this kid is 23 years old! He is so unbelievably fast for a man his size in 5th gear. Wow! And has sick mittens as well, no stone hands at all. And he hits! I am so excited with this young core also including Kessel at 25, Kadri at 22.
Grabovski has arrived. He finally bee-lined one way - to the offensive zone instead of playing around with the puck cross ice, coughing it up in the neutral zone. A much better showing and Kulemin hustled his balls off tonight. Good job 2nd line.
McClement, has won all our hearts already but wanted to point out we killed a 5-on-3 in the 1st period thanks to him and Phaneuf. Cant remember who the 3rd man was but great penalty kill. Confidence booster for this team right there
Franson, i always believed in you. Have always been a fan, big studded right handed defenseman with a great shot.
Komarov, keeps hitting, what a beauty. Cant remember the hits but we out hit the Pittsburgh by a mile tonight.
For those who wanted to trade Kessel after last game, we all have our bad days at work, the same as professional athletes have some bad games, he is not going anywhere. He is CLUTCH, we have forgotten all about his 6 GWGs last season, if not for him and his tying goal tonight, we wouldn't have gotten the point or the win(refs did kind of handed the extra point to the pens, missed a few calls too many - asking for Nonis' reaction). He also has 15 points in 15 playoff games under his resume as a 20 21 year old for the Bruins. Fellas he is only 25 years old and we need him to win. He helps us win hockey games and he is going to past PPG average very soon mark my words.
We are driving to the net, creating traffic, we finally have guys that will go through the wall to win. I am so pleased to see LACK - Lombardi, Armstrong, Connolly and Komisarek off this team. Randy Carlyle does not give a **** who you are, how many goals you score, how much money you make, you work your a** of and earn your spot on this team. Mike Kostka, great rookie, what can i say he has outplayed Komisarek and Liles into the press box. Everybody jumps on him because he is thrown immediately on 1st pair playing 20+ minutes a game. He was quick tonight, making smart decisions in the offensive zone, just needs more experience to get shots through, should look to purposely miss the net bank the puck off the back boards since we actually have forwards that crash the net now, creating an absolute cluster**** for opposing goaltenders.
Tonight i was missing Gardiner. And I'm sure he was upset missing out on this hell of a hockey game. He would have been lights out tonight in this game tonight. We could have used his poise puck carrying skills, speed, and quick transitions to carry the play, kind of like how Letang carried the puck up ice for the Pens. Send down Holzer, release the Gardiner!
Frattin is not in game shape yet, but he still proved that he belongs in the NHL. However 1 assist should boost his confidence going forward after tonight. 11 points in 11 games, good stuff.
Dion Phaneuf, thats how you lead a team.
On a diff topic, i have been talking about getting Ovechkin on this team. We could use 2 snipers in Kessel and Ovechkin coming down the right and left lanes. We could use his playoff experience 59 points in 51 playoff games. The ACC was electric tonight, players are going to want to play here. Ovechkin would make us contenders easily. The crowd was great tonight and Ovy thrives under the spotlight, just how Crosby brought his A game on Hockey Night in Canada with the largest hockey audience. Ovechkin has 24 goals and 44 points in 29 career games against the Leafs. He has swagger like Kadri, crashes the net and I think a change of scenery would do good for him. Id be willing to give up Rielly ++ because I believe he is no longer untouchable. Washington is currently tied for 2nd last, 2nd overall draft pick as of right now for those wondering.
The brighter days are here at last.
. He stopped enough to get us to OT so no issues there. Plus bound to have an off game, coming back from injury.
