A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
- 27,399
- 17,344
Is Sparks starting?
- Thread starter A1LeafNation
- Start date
X66
114-110
- Aug 18, 2008
- 13,578
- 7,445
No way you play Sparks on Saturday.
As garbage as the Sens are, they are still in your division so you should see them as your direct competition.
Also, have your best foot forward to get the points you should easily get, and worry about the back-to-back stuff later.
Mugzy97
#StandWitness
CanadasTeam
Registered User
I'm guessing they'll give Sparks his start Sun vs. Chicago as it's his hometown.
Babcock likes to play his #1 heavily, and Andersen likes to play a lot of games. If the coach and player are OK with it, and prefer it, it's going to be pretty hard to do anything else.
We can go ahead and put Sparks' name on the schedule for the 2nd game of every B2B. Any more games than that will happen when Andersen/Babcock/Briere* decide they're required.
* i'll be honest. i had to google who our goalie coach is.
We can go ahead and put Sparks' name on the schedule for the 2nd game of every B2B. Any more games than that will happen when Andersen/Babcock/Briere* decide they're required.
* i'll be honest. i had to google who our goalie coach is.
BertCorbeau
F*ck cancer - RIP Fugu and Buffaloed
ACC1224
Super Elite, Passing ALL Tests since 2002
- Aug 19, 2002
- 73,760
- 39,243
FlareKnight
Registered User
Sparks will start in Chicago as is the pattern. And we probably won't see him start another game until November.
Buds17
Registered User
- Nov 29, 2015
- 8,244
- 3,362
Right now, we can figure he sees the back half of the back-to-backs if Babcock maintains status quo. Guess it'll be situational if he plays more than that. In a way too, I can see where looking at the schedule and knowing when your turn comes up can help with being prepared. Easier said than done I know, but Andersen facing fewer shots per start could help with him being better rested for the playoffs too.
He'll start Sunday and go from there. If he does well, he'll play again shortly.
If he plays poor, he won't play till the November b2b
If he plays poor, he won't play till the November b2b
Tak7
Registered User
In 4 years here as a coach, Babcock has always iced his best lineup in game 1 of the back to back - he's never started his backup on night 1.
So Andersen will get Ottawa on Saturday, and Sparks will get Chicago on Sunday.
I think it'll be easier for Sparks to start away. He's also from the Chicago area, so it'll be a nice gesture for him as well.
So Andersen will get Ottawa on Saturday, and Sparks will get Chicago on Sunday.
I think it'll be easier for Sparks to start away. He's also from the Chicago area, so it'll be a nice gesture for him as well.
The Best Leafs Ever
Registered User
- Feb 28, 2017
- 2,147
- 781
We shouldn’t even think about him starting a game unles we absolutely must have him start. He is just garbage.
CanadasTeam
Registered User
On first glance I thought this thread was "Is Sparks eating?" Wow do I need more sleep. A nice mothering thread once in awhile would do this place a bit of good though.
I made the same point about Anderson needing some rest and people pointed out a lot of other good goalies start a similar amount of games. It's a fair point. I just feel like the Leafs give up too many shots and if we had a backup that was solid Anderson could play a few less games and be fresh for playoffs.
I also mentioned that Babcock never really trusted Mac and they countered saying that he 100% trusted Mac. I guess he did but I just think that if he really did Babcock would have started him more. Anderson must want all these games. Maybe it was just me but Mac made me nervous although his stats were solid.
I also mentioned that Babcock never really trusted Mac and they countered saying that he 100% trusted Mac. I guess he did but I just think that if he really did Babcock would have started him more. Anderson must want all these games. Maybe it was just me but Mac made me nervous although his stats were solid.
Tak7
Registered User
You aren't wrong.
The problem with the "Andersen starts just as many times as other starters in the league" argument, is that those other starters didn't face anywhere near as many pucks as Freddie did.
Also - on 2 occasions last season, Andersen looked completely worn out. He then completely ran out of gas in the playoffs.
Le Cobra
Rent A Goalie
yea I think Dubas really blew this one ... I will be surprised if Sparks is on the Leafs after xmass.
Are you a goalie as well? Honestly I hate him (as a goalie that is, he's a great guy from what I hear) and I played/studied the position for a decade+, I just don't think some players truly grasp how awful he is from a technical perspective.
It's crazy that a 35 year old journeyman vet literally beats him in all technical aspects and he even proved last year that he could do more than well. We are in win now situation and I think this move is a disaster, not because I am sure Mac could carry us to a cup or anything like that, but his chances are 100000x better than what I've seen from Sparks.
Mikeyg
Registered User
- Dec 26, 2011
- 8,884
- 2,579
who the f*** cares about who our 2 goalie is in 3 years..... theres always guys like halak around for cheap. Big mistake there.
I can't say I love the kids technique but he's been great in the minors and deserves his shot to prove his worth to the organization
Best of luck Sparks, I hope it goes really well for you
And us
Best of luck Sparks, I hope it goes really well for you
And us
A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
- 27,399
- 17,344
Sparks or who ever should be starting 5 games. If Babs doesn't trust him, fine, don't play him from Feb-April unless its a back to back situation.
However, he should be playing 3 games minimum per month from October-January. It should be part of Babcocks job to find 2 games in October, 1 in December, and 2 in January for Sparks(or another back-up) to play that aren't back to back situations.
October 1 back to back
November 3 back to backs
December 2 back to backs
January 1 back to back
February 3 back to backs
March 2 back to backs
April 1 back to back
However, he should be playing 3 games minimum per month from October-January. It should be part of Babcocks job to find 2 games in October, 1 in December, and 2 in January for Sparks(or another back-up) to play that aren't back to back situations.
October 1 back to back
November 3 back to backs
December 2 back to backs
January 1 back to back
February 3 back to backs
March 2 back to backs
April 1 back to back
A1LeafNation
Obsession beats talent everytime!!
- Oct 17, 2010
- 27,399
- 17,344
Why shouldn’t Sparks start in Detroit? Leafs are scoring, teams are still playing loose as it is October, and Detroit is a bottom feeder.
This is a perfect game for Sparks to start. If Babcock can’t play Sparks for a game like this, when can he play him? And we will again waste the season by playing Andersen too much in the regular season.
This is a perfect game for Sparks to start. If Babcock can’t play Sparks for a game like this, when can he play him? And we will again waste the season by playing Andersen too much in the regular season.
