Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Flames | Dec. 9th, 2014 | 7:30 PM EST

[Paradoc]

Leafs have 4 games in this coming week, 2 vs Detroit. Question is who will we play in net since we have two back to back games. Do we let Bernier play Flames and LA and let Reimer play both Red Wings games? Or should we let Bernier play the Flames game and both LA/Detroit game?

Hope Leafs win this one! GLG!

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[Suntouchable13]

I wouldn't trust JR against any of those teams. Play it by ear. If Bernier plays another terrific game and Leafs win on Tuesday, why can't Randy go back to him the next night in Detroit?

 

[Kamiccolo]

Play the starter for the easy games.

We need to beat Calgary and Detroit each once. Start Bernier for them, then Reimer for the other Detroit and LA game. Reimer is still a good goalie, and even with a loss in LA we can still make 4 of 8 points and put up a good effort the 2nd time around in detroit.

 

[Daisy Jane]

I would give Reimer the Flames game.

Bernier gets Detroit.


but this is where it gets spicy. you know that Bernier wants to beat LA. but i'd rather him play detroit on Saturday. see if the detroit game was on Tuesday i would say "it would depend on shots allowed). then play Bernier back to back. give Reimer Detroit game 2, and Bernier vs. LA.

i believe Reimer would do well. so i'd at least give him two, especially becuse during the next two months, I'd be plaooning them a bit more because of all the travel.

 

[leafstilldeath*]

Loving the depth scoring. When Komarov draws in it will be even better. Given recent play I would categorize the lines as follows:

1st Line: Komarov-Kadri-Santo
2nd Line: Lupul-Holland-Clarkson
3rd Line: Winnik-Smith-Booth/Panik
4th Line: JVR-Bozo-Thrill

 

[BonMorrison]

I think it's time we stop looking at Calgary like an "easy team."

This will be a tough one, I think.

 

[Daisy Jane]

I think it's time we stop looking at Calgary like an "easy team."

This will be a tough one, I think.

i don't think the Leafs should ever consider any easy team an easy team.

but even when Calgary was poopy, they play us very tough the fact that they areplaying well, is a testament for them - but I think it bodes better for the Leafs. because they know they'll have to come out hard, and not "meh. it's only _____" (In this case Calgary).

 

[shaner8989]

This will be the first time in my life I cheer against the Leafs. It's going to be very weird.

I won't be mad if the leafs win tho.

About 20 family members are heading to the game. Josh is pumped. Dream come true. Come home to play against the team you grew up cheering for. Pretty awesome

 

[Maplebeasts]

Should be an exciting game. Both teams have a strong offence and goaltenders capable of exceptional play. If it's a track meet I like our chances, if not the edge goes to CGY.

 

[HEAVY DUTY]

calgary is a tough opponent to beat. they are a well coached and hard working team. all four leafs lines, D and goaltending needs to be good. by good, i mean great.

i think the leafs will squeeze out a win here. 3-2 Leafs.

GLG.

 

[Suntouchable13]

Play the starter for the easy games.

We need to beat Calgary and Detroit each once. Start Bernier for them, then Reimer for the other Detroit and LA game. Reimer is still a good goalie, and even with a loss in LA we can still make 4 of 8 points and put up a good effort the 2nd time around in detroit.

He has not been a good goalie in 2 seasons. When you think about it, he has not been a very good goalie other than that one short season, and 2011.

 

[LeafalCrusader]

I'd go back to Bernier. Play the starter the first game of the back to backs then decide after the game if the backup should play the next night or if you go back to the #1.

 

[Maplebeasts]

I'd go back to Bernier. Play the starter the first game of the back to backs then decide after the game if the backup should play the next night or if you go back to the #1.

I would ride Bernier until LA. He needs his confidence to be grown by playing through a back to back.

 

[Kamiccolo]

He has not been a good goalie in 2 seasons. When you think about it, he has not been a very good goalie other than that one short season, and 2011.

Seeing as this is his 4th season, lets revisit shall we.

First year breakout year, excellent, stole games 5 and 6 in the playoffs.


2nd year, starts the season with a shutout then gets concussed. Out for a few months, we start Gusty, who is okay, but we need Reimer back. He comes back probably a little sooner than he should have, takes him until the last month of the season to regain his form.

Last year him and Bernier battled it out for the first half of the season. Up until the half way point, Reimer had a 9.45 sv%, and there was no clear starter. Reimer than had a bad second half, no excuses there.

This year, he led our team in wins as our goalie starting the season. He out played Bernier, to the point where he was starting over him. He had one bad start, then when Bernier got chased from the net the next game, the team had already quit and he got lit up in the relief.

So a great first season, a 2nd season battling injuries, a thrid season where he was great in the first half and bad in the 2nd (where he still finished with a 9.11 sv%).

Then this year where he was the better goalie early on before having his stats ruined in two games.


The point is he is a great goalie, and it's so funny how short peoples memories are, and the "what have you done for me lately" thing is real.

People act like he isn't NHL caliber. They are the same people who gave it to Franson all last year (most of this board) and couldnt remember far enough in the past (the season before) to how good he was, and look he's playing great again this year, but people act like it came out of no where.

James will go to a different team and become a great starter and you will all eat crow.

 

[GoodNewfieBoy]

I think Calgary will give the Leafs fits. Hardest working team in the NHL again a team not known to bring maximum intensity

 

[Maplebeasts]

Then this year where he was the better goalie early on before having his stats ruined in two games.
The point is he is a great goalie.
People act like he isn't NHL caliber.
James will go to a different team and become a great starter and you will all eat crow.

First line: That was how many games into the season again? Three, Four games max for each goalie. Then Bernier started to outplay James again. Way too small of a sample size to actually say he was better.

Second line: No, he really isn't, and it doesn't take a pro hockey scout to see this. Terrible sv. Percentage over his last 40-50 games, ungodly GAA (Well over three). Terrible technical skills and rebound control, weak glove. Sorry but Bernier severely outperforms Reimer with the same defence in front of him and doesn't have nearly as many holes in his game.

Third Line: Nobody said he isn't NHL calibre, but they have said he isn't NHL starting calibre. All of the numbers as well as the precious "eyeball test" support this. James hasn't put up good numbers with a "starters workload " yet in his career (over 60 games) so saying his stats from the 48 game season where he didn't have that many starts is a sign he can be an elite goalie is speculative at best.

Fourth Line: I doubt it, If he goes to a team with a worse defence than ours, he'll look even worse. If he goes to a team like Winnipeg with a good defence but poor goaltending, he won't be a long term so,ution because facts say he isn't that good of a goalie. If he goes to a contender than he sees less time than does now, and will never be able to make us eat crow.

 

[Jacquestrapless]

Phaneuf with the Gordie How Hat-trick. Fights Giordano. Powerbombs Gaudreau through the ice. Burke trades for him sending us 2 1sts and a 2nd, claiming the time for the Flames' rebuild to "accelerate" is now.

 

[Torontonian]

I would prefer not to see Reimier at all.. stupid schedule.....

 

[Hurt]

I think it's time we stop looking at Calgary like an "easy team."

This will be a tough one, I think.

The Leafs don't have the right to consider any team an 'easy team'.

 

[zeke]

cf% - zone-start adjusted 5v5 close corsi percentage
rel - zone-start afjusted 5v5 close corsi percentage relative to teammates


Line 1

C T.Bozak (28): 26gms, 11gls, 24pts, 43.6cf%, -5.0rel, 18:40 (82gms, 35gls, 76pts) ---- 57.5fo%
C J.Jooris (24): 21gms, 8gls, 12pts, 45.9cf%, -0.2rel, 15:25 (82gms, 31gls, 47pts) ---- 49.0fo%

W P.Kessel (27): 26gms, 13gls, 27pts, 46.9cf%, -0.7rel, 18:21 (82gms, 41gls, 85pts)
W J.Hudler (31): 27gms, 11gls, 26pts, 49.3cf%, +3.6rel, 18:03 (82gms, 33gls, 79pts)

W J.Vanriemsdyk (25): 26gms, 10gls, 21pts, 44.0cf%, -4.7rel, 19:16 (82gms, 32gls, 66pts)
W J.Gaudreau (21): 27gms, 5gls, 21pts, 49.0cf%, +3.7rel, 16:15 (82gms, 15gls, 64pts)

Line 2

C N.Kadri (24): 26gms, 7gls, 15pts, 54.5cf%, +5.8rel, 16:33 (82gms, 22gls, 47pts) ---- 48.6fo%
C S.Monahan (20): 28gms, 10gls, 19pts, 50.2cf%, +4.1rel, 19:29 (82gms, 29gls, 56pts) ---- 50.4fo%

W J.Lupul (31): 14gms, 6gls, 10pts, 60.5cf%, +13.6rel, 16:44 (82gms, 35gls, 59pts)
W C.Glencross (32): 28gms, 5gls, 19pts, 48.1cf%, +0.2rel, 18:09 (82gms, 15gls, 56pts)

W M.Santorelli (29): 26gms, 4gls, 18pts, 47.0cf%, -2.4rel, 13:42 (82gms, 13gls, 57pts)
W D.Jones (30): 15gms, 4gls, 8pts, 46.7cf%, -1.5rel, 15:37 (82gms, 22gls, 44pts)

Line 3

C P.Holland (23): 26gms, 6gls, 11pts, 48.3cf%, -0.5rel, 13:49 (82gms, 19gls, 35pts) ---- 45.0fo%
C M.Granlund (21): 17gms, 3gls, 9pts, 44.1cf%, -3.6rel, 15:26 (82gms, 15gls, 43pts) ---- 34.4fo%

W L.Komarov (27): 23gms, 4gls, 16pts, 47.0cf%, -1.8rel, 15:41 (82gms, 14gls, 57pts)
W P.Byron (25): 28gms, 5gls, 10pts, 52.1cf%, +7.0rel, 15:36 (82gms, 15gls, 29pts)

W D.Clarkson (30): 26gms, 8gls, 10pts, 48.6cf%, -0.0rel, 15:06 (82gms, 26gls, 32pts)
W M.Ferland (22): 9gms, 0gls, 1pts, 41.7cf%, -5.6rel, 11:20 (82gms, 0gls, 9pts)

Line 3

C T.Smith (29): 12gms, 0gls, 2pts, 49.3cf%, -0.1rel, 9:41 (82gms, 0gls, 14pts) ---- 51.0fo%
C M.Stajan (31): 12gms, 1gls, 3pts, 54.3cf%, +10.5rel, 11:52 (82gms, 7gls, 21pts) ---- 49.6fo%

W D.Winnik (29): 24gms, 1gls, 9pts, 54.6cf%, +5.5rel, 15:49 (82gms, 3gls, 31pts)
W L.Bouma (24): 27gms, 5gls, 9pts, 39.1cf%, -7.5rel, 12:27 (82gms, 15gls, 27pts)

W R.Panik (23): 23gms, 5gls, 6pts, 50.3cf%, +1.8rel, 8:47 (82gms, 18gls, 21pts)
W D.Booth (30): 5gms, 0gls, 1pts, 50.0cf%, -0.1rel, 9:05 (82gms, 0gls, 16pts)
W B.Kozun (24): 5gms, 0gls, 1pts, 32.3cf%, -19.3rel, 8:54 (82gms, 0gls, 16pts)
W B.Bollig (28): 25gms, 0gls, 2pts, 34.6cf%, -12.3rel, 9:10 (82gms, 0gls, 7pts)




Pair 1

D D.Phaneuf (29): 26gms, 1gls, 13pts, 48.4cf%, -0.2rel, 23:18 (82gms, 3gls, 41pts)
D T.Brodie (24): 28gms, 6gls, 21pts, 49.1cf%, +2.0rel, 24:57 (82gms, 18gls, 62pts)

D C.Franson (27): 24gms, 4gls, 17pts, 50.4cf%, +3.8rel, 20:36 (82gms, 14gls, 58pts)
D M.Giordano (31): 28gms, 7gls, 28pts, 49.5cf%, +2.7rel, 24:24 (82gms, 21gls, 82pts)

Pair 2

D J.Gardiner (24): 24gms, 2gls, 8pts, 47.1cf%, -1.8rel, 19:50 (82gms, 7gls, 27pts)
D D.Wideman (31): 27gms, 10gls, 17pts, 45.8cf%, -0.7rel, 23:27 (82gms, 30gls, 52pts)

D K.Holzer (26): 5gms, 0gls, 0pts, 48.0cf%, -1.0rel, 18:07 (82gms, 0gls, 0pts)
D K.Russell (27): 26gms, 0gls, 13pts, 46.4cf%, +0.9rel, 23:07 (82gms, 0gls, 41pts)

Pair 3

D M.Rielly (20): 25gms, 3gls, 9pts, 52.3cf%, +5.1rel, 18:00 (82gms, 10gls, 30pts)
D L.Smid (28): 26gms, 0gls, 1pts, 45.8cf%, +0.6rel, 14:35 (82gms, 0gls, 3pts)

D S.Robidas (37): 25gms, 0gls, 4pts, 45.0cf%, -5.1rel, 17:15 (82gms, 0gls, 13pts)
D D.Engelland (32): 22gms, 0gls, 2pts, 42.6cf%, -4.1rel, 14:08 (82gms, 0gls, 8pts)




Starting Goalies

G J.Bernier (26): 20gms, .916sv%
G J.Hiller (32): 16gms, .913sv%

Backup Goalies

G J.Reimer (26): 9gms, .898sv%
G K.Ramo (28): 13gms, .917sv%



Injured / Suspended

D R.Polak (28): 21gms, 3gls, 5pts, 48.2cf%, -1.1rel, 21:06 (82gms, 12gls, 20pts)
W C.Ashton (23): 3gms, 0gls, 0pts, 56.3cf%, +8.9rel, 6:09 (82gms, 0gls, 0pts)

W M.Raymond (29): 10gms, 5gls, 7pts, 44.8cf%, -1.6rel, 17:28 (82gms, 41gls, 57pts)
W J.Colborne (25): 11gms, 0gls, 8pts, 36.7cf%, -11.3rel, 16:21 (82gms, 0gls, 60pts)
C M.Backlund (25): 11gms, 1gls, 4pts, 48.5cf%, +1.5rel, 17:50 (82gms, 8gls, 30pts) --- 50.5fo%

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

Loving the depth scoring. When Komarov draws in it will be even better. Given recent play I would categorize the lines as follows:

1st Line: Komarov-Kadri-Santo
2nd Line: Lupul-Holland-Clarkson
3rd Line: Winnik-Smith-Booth/Panik
4th Line: JVR-Bozo-Thrill

Kessel on the 4th line? Are you trolling?

 

[LEAFANFORLIFE23]

I think Calgary will give the Leafs fits. Hardest working team in the NHL again a team not known to bring maximum intensity

The Leafs are 2nd in the NHL in goals for

 

[Warden of the North]

This will be the first time in my life I cheer against the Leafs. It's going to be very weird.

I won't be mad if the leafs win tho.

About 20 family members are heading to the game. Josh is pumped. Dream come true. Come home to play against the team you grew up cheering for. Pretty awesome

Guaranteed he scores

 

[HellasLEAF]

Will be a tough, low scoring game I think.

 

[King85Kong]

Guaranteed he scores

The way of the Leafs.