Ok, took awhile to calm down.....didn’t expect the debacle against Chicago-not after the skillful domination of a superior Calgary Flame opponent (Rittich stole the game but didn’t think the Flames could hold a candle to our better talent and depth).
I realize that:
1-Call it “immature” as Keefe did but yes, the Leafs were in holiday mode, not the Hawks, desperate to keep in the playoff hunt and another game tonight. ( I’ve been useless at work the day before a lengthy vacation)
2- The Hawks “pounced”, we were not ready. Didn’t help that their was the fluke first goal in like 30 seconds and then the similarly wrap around somewhat of a fluke.
3- Yes, Anderson cost us the game. Would be nice to see him “own it” instead of his words “We all have to be better, myself included”. However, see point #5, maybe he’s plain worn out from the pressure of being the only hope we have a lot of the time.
4-It struck me how the Hawks fell back into a “Fort Knox” wall around their net; no way we were going to get many goals. Other teams are doing the same to us now (see 1 goal scored vs Calgary). Is the word out now on how to stop our offence? Is this what we will see now? How can we adjust?
5-Speaking of a wall around the Hawks net, why can’t we do the same? And yet, is it just me or does it seem like opponent forwards are constantly coming like waves at us, with open ice in our zone, crashing into our frail defencemen? Another member may have hit the nail with his answer “the reason they come at us with room, flying out of the neutral zone, is because no one hits, it’s all stick checks, no physicality along the boards”.
6-The Dubas template that emphasizes speed, skill with attendant smaller players might be in bad need of some physicality, something I have denied, (please Dubas, use the break to get us a Dillon, a Josh Anderson, a decent backup)
7- Is this “immaturity” the reason we tried for Justin Williams? (The epitome of grit, veteran leadership).
