Hah. Indeed. At least we potted one. Weird night all around on that front. Got a bit of a bounce on it, but then got robbed of two or three goals from just awful bounces and the Sharks had similar variance in puck luck.
We should have had a pool on the amount of games before the Leafs slipped back into their usual style of play. It turns out the answer was 4.
I got the impression that they tried, almost resisted, but the 40 shots against speak for themselves. Maybe Horachek was asking for it by putting the 1st line back together. I get the need for offense but that line leads by example and is the poster child of the pond hockey style this team far too often falls into.
For whatever reason, the PP has turned into a steaming pile of garbage since Horachek. I can't imagine the system has been changed on that and I get that the second unit is a little depleted, but they couldn't even get into the zone tonight. It reminds me of past collapses: When the special teams start to go, so too does the team's fortunes. And to take it one step forward... When the top players go into funks, so too does the team. As much as Kessel is derided around here, this team's fortunes really rest on whether he's scoring or not.
Phaneuf was awful tonight. It needs to be mentioned. Just really bad. On a more positive note though, I like the ice time given to the 4th line. Frattin had a great game and it's that intensity which carried to the NHL, which made him attractive to L.A. and Columbus in trades. Best player on the ice was Santorelli's but that's the usual... special mention goes to Sam Carrick who was very good tonight in his first real opportunity.
The Playoffs odds are starting to look a tad precarious. Going to need to beat St. Louis on Saturday.