Post-Game Talk: Leafs lose to Grand Rapids Griffins; is anyone really surprised?

[Jimmy Firecracker]

The fact of the matter is, this team relies far too much on the top players of their respective positions. The first line, the top pairing, and the number one goalie have been far too heavily relied on this season, with lines 2-4, pairings 2 and 3, and the backup net minder rarely stepping up to help.

It's no wonder the team started losing when line 1 went cold and our starter got injured. It doesn't help that the top pairing gets fatigued often with no other reliable pairings defensively. The rest of the team needs to step up and help shoulder the burden of avoiding another collapse for this team.

 

[leafs in five]

We play as well as Bernier plays.

Bernier frequently plays much, much, much better than the Leafs' skaters play.

 

[Pi]

Ridiculous loss, against a team that wanted it more.

A great start to the road trip, has ended off terribly.

And to cap it off, you have that cement blockhead of a coach making a ridiculous comment about Reimer. Jesus, does this guy not have any limits? Singling out and throwing under the bus the one man that is capable of stealing you games, and in all likelihood, WILL NEED to steal you the Tampa game, and you do that to him?

Nonsense. Can't stand him. I've very quickly moved from being an ardent defender of Carlyle, to being on the very front of the anti-Carlyle bus. This season he's been horrendous. I'm baffled that this team is still in a playoff spot.

This team is in a playoff spot thanks to goaltending and the #1 line. Carlyle is an idiotic coach...his teams have consistently gotten outcoached, outshot and outplayed on most nights.

We have another Ron Wilson on our hands and it's going to take another disappointing season to get rid of him.

Let's hope thats in 2015 so we can get rid of his ********.

 

[The Winter Soldier]

The fact of the matter is, this team relies far too much on the top players of their respective positions. The first line, the top pairing, and the number one goalie have been far too heavily relied on this season, with lines 2-4, pairings 2 and 3, and the backup net minder rarely stepping up to help.

It's no wonder the team started losing when line 1 went cold and our starter got injured. It doesn't help that the top pairing gets fatigued often with no other reliable pairings defensively. The rest of the team needs to step up and hel shoulder the burden of avoiding another collapse for this team.

Agreed!

Someone other than Bernier, Kessel, JVR, Bozak, or Phaneuf need to pull their weight now that we are slumping.

But we have some here, that make certain players untouchable. Accountability.

 

[leafs in five]

yeah there is no way that Lupul will pick it up if he doesn't stop getting a free pass from the less wise/prophetic among us.

 

[paulhiggins]

...Carlyle is an idiotic coach...his teams have consistently gotten outcoached, outshot and outplayed on most nights.
...

But rarely outpaid.

 

[ULF_55]

Ridiculous loss, against a team that wanted it more.

A great start to the road trip, has ended off terribly.

And to cap it off, you have that cement blockhead of a coach making a ridiculous comment about Reimer. Jesus, does this guy not have any limits? Singling out and throwing under the bus the one man that is capable of stealing you games, and in all likelihood, WILL NEED to steal you the Tampa game, and you do that to him?

Nonsense. Can't stand him. I've very quickly moved from being an ardent defender of Carlyle, to being on the very front of the anti-Carlyle bus. This season he's been horrendous. I'm baffled that this team is still in a playoff spot.

From my half century of watching you seldom hear players openly critique a coach.

There is a lot of smoke.

 

[Gallagbi]

Agreed!

Someone other than Bernier, Kessel, JVR, Bozak, or Phaneuf need to pull their weight now that we are slunk mping.

But we have some here, that make certain players untouchable. Accountability .

You mean like blaming the secondary scoring when the top line has been on for 1 Gf in the past 4 games?

 

[Tak7]

The fact of the matter is, this team relies far too much on the top players of their respective positions. The first line, the top pairing, and the number one goalie have been far too heavily relied on this season, with lines 2-4, pairings 2 and 3, and the backup net minder rarely stepping up to help.

It's no wonder the team started losing when line 1 went cold and our starter got injured. It doesn't help that the top pairing gets fatigued often with no other reliable pairings defensively. The rest of the team needs to step up and help shoulder the burden of avoiding another collapse for this team.

Could say the same thing about 20-25 teams in this league, but yes, you make a good point.

 

[iceblue]

The loss last night was NOT all Reimer's fault.


No defense and what happened to our offense? Anyway I think the team plays more confident in front of Bernier - and this public feud between Carlyle and Reimer likely doesn't bode well for things to come.....

 

[ULF_55]

GWG

Kessel 6
Raymond 4
Kulemin 4
Van Riemsdyk 3
Bolland 2
Smith 2

+/-

1 Carl Gunnarsson +16
2 Dion Phaneuf +14
3 Troy Bodie +5
4 Dave Bolland +4
5 Tyler Bozak +3
6 Mason Raymond +1
7 Nikolai Kulemin +1
8 Peter Holland +1
9 Carter Ashton +1
10 David Broll +1

 

[moonbal]

Except for the fact that we couldn't score, I thought it was an ok game.
Leafs powerplay has been abysmal lately.
Reimer was not just ok. FU Carlyle.

 

[SprDaVE]

Except for the fact that we couldn't score, I thought it was an ok game.
Leafs powerplay has been abysmal lately.

Franson has been horrible on the PP for a few months now. He's been bobbling pucks, shooting without traffic, not actually doing the thing he does best --- score on point shots. Not to mention he has no footspeed, so if he gets caught, it's a sure breakaway. Just a disastrous year for Cody and his confidence is visibly down the toilet.

He needs to get the **** out of the first PP unit. Gardiner or Rielly should be there, and Franson should be on the 2nd one.

 

[Yosho]

That Rielly dump pass was amazing. That's about it.

Onto tonight.

 

[iceblue]

That Rielly dump pass was amazing. That's about it.

Onto tonight.

Oh yes thanks for the reminder. That was a real beauty. Hopefully we will see many more in the years to come.

 

[Mess]

Detroit has strong drafting and developing ..

Case in point 11 members from last seasons AHL Calder Cup winning team were in the Wings lineup last night due to injuries this year.

Case in point Gustav Nyqvist .. Was 4th round pick 121 overall in 2008.. He has played 15 games in the AHL this year.. However as a Wing he has in 43 games put up 19-16-35 points (.81 ppg) including 2 break-away goals against our Leafs.

When you get that kind of support internally from your depth and youth you're going to be a tough mark to gain points against even when injuries strike.

 

[ULF_55]

Detroit has strong drafting and developing ..

Case in point 11 members from last seasons AHL Calder Cup winning team were in the Wings lineup last night due to injuries this year.

Case in point Gustav Nyqvist .. Was 4th round pick 121 overall in 2008.. He has played 15 games in the AHL this year.. However as a Wing he has in 43 games put up 19-16-35 points (.81 ppg) including 2 break-away goals against our Leafs.

When you get that kind of support internally from your depth and youth you're going to be a tough mark to gain points against even when injuries strike.

Their run to the Calder WIN was based on the play of their prospects.

 

[Mystifo]

No words. 18 wheeler.

Come on Morrison you are better than this. It is not that bad yet.

 

[hoglund]

The reason for last night's loss was the Leafs out shot their opponent (33-31), they can only win when being out shot. I think the main reason for the loss was not the team's poor play, but give Howard credit and he's the reason Detroit won last night.

 

[ULF_55]

The reason for last night's loss was the Leafs out shot their opponent (33-31), they can only win when being out shot. I think the main reason for the loss was not the team's poor play, but give Howard credit and he's the reason Detroit won last night.

They had a couple players stand up and lead.

 

[hoglund]

Except for the fact that we couldn't score, I thought it was an ok game.
Leafs powerplay has been abysmal lately.
Reimer was not just ok. FU Carlyle.

I think Carlyle's comment is being over blown by media. It didn't sound to be that he was criticizing Reimer, he said he played ok and a .903 save percentage is ok, not bad, not great, but ok. Reimer can't be blamed for last night's loss and Carlyle doesn't blame him, the media does.

 

[Derrty]

 

[pucky]

The reason for last night's loss was the Leafs out shot their opponent (33-31), they can only win when being out shot. I think the main reason for the loss was not the team's poor play, but give Howard credit and he's the reason Detroit won last night.

What are you talking about? I watched 95% of the game.... I wanted to see Detroit's team. The Leafs were not dangerous except for a few plays and the last half of the 3rd or just the last 5 mins, it seemed. Most of their shots were from the outside or not great high scoring opportunities. Howard was good, yes, but he has struggled this season. The Leafs had to contend with a struggling goalie plus a team with their top two players out. They still couldn't get it done.

The D had tons of turnovers and they gave up breakaways and 2-on-1s. Fans keep making excuses. "Reimer sucks." "They're gassed." "RC can't coach." But, there's never any real objective discussion - the team is NOT good enough is never mentioned. It's like fans are in denial. Some really bad contracts and the drafting is not as good as most are saying. The Wings are decimated by injuries but their drafting seems pretty good. They probably regret signing Weiss but the Leafs have a bunch of bad contracts now.

The team is overrated and overrely on goaltending. Wow, they actually outshot a team for once! It's a MIRACLE! Too bad, it didn't matter. Most of Kessel's shots (except for the breakway) were from the outside. They had some shots from the slot but they either didn't get through or Howard made a good save. Then Kadri thinks he can score by playing soccer. The hockey IQ of many of these players seem to be very low. No wonder they lose games. Crappy coaching + low skill + slow and immobile D = losses. It's the stretch drive and the games will get harder. I won't be surprised if they finish out of the playoff standings.

 

[egd27]

All I hope for is that the team isn't as fragile as the fanbase is.

 

[SprDaVE]

All I hope for is that the team isn't as fragile as the fanbase is.

Let's hope they have the passion and desperation we do though. Certainly doesn't look like it.