Went to the game tonight, here are my observations that may not readily have been picked up watching on TV.
The Best of the best -
Bozak - One of the best players on the ice, should have had 2 goals tonight, one called back that should have counted. But it isn't even the goals that make him a real good player. Bozak plays a heady game, uses his body, and he makes great reads. And yes, he wins key face-offs. What you really notice watching him live, is he is a very intelligent player.
JVR - Very Strong game, has real good hands in close, and obcourse he scored a big shootout goal. Not as strong on the wall as I would like, but he got dirty tonight which I like. He was also solid on the PK, something that may be overlooked.
Bernier - Real solid game, plays the angles well. Anticipates the play. Difference maker tonight. Made some big saves.
Clarkson - Yes, he was one of the better Leafs tonight. Won't show on the scoresheet, but he made some real good defensive plays, strong on the wall, and finished his checks. Made a great play to almost score a highlight reel goal. Really noticeable tonight for all the right reasons.
The Good -
Gunnarson - Smart D man, reads and makes good plays. Liked his game
Franson - Good bounce back game, if he can play like tonight, he will be an asset
Rielly - Excellent vision, made great reads joining the rush. He is already better than Gardiner
Ashton - Good energetic game, didn't look bad a Center
Kessel - OK to good game, thought he was the weakest member of the #1 line, up live you can see he is not a good defensive player. But offensively no one is quicker carrying the puck and setting up chances. A bit of mixed reviews with him tonight.
Phaneuf - Solid game, nothing spectacular, more efficient than anything
Most Underrated player - Going to give it to Kulemin for his board work.
The Bad -
Going to give a collective bad to the Kadri, Lupul, Raymond line.
They are just awful defensively, everytime they were on the ice, you could see odd man rushes developing. Turnovers, turnovers, turnovers. Collectively these 3 guys made a lot of bad decisions tonight. Offensively, they play so individualistic, had the crowd moaning a lot tonight.
Raymond - This guy looks worse live than on HNIC. Soft and makes some real bad decisions on plays
Lupul - A very sloppy game, took a needless dumb penalty that could have sunk us. Not playing to his potential
Gardiner - Unlike Rielly, he makes a lot Bad decisions with the puck. On more than one play he either just blindly shoots the puck up the boards to a Devils player, or simply doesn't have the foresight to bank the puck softer so that a Leafs player can break with the puck. One thing you really notice live is he looses more puck battles than he wins. Almost always never comes away with the puck from the corner. What to do with this player?
Indifferent(not bad not good)
Kadri - He has definitely lost some of his jam. Didn't seem to want the puck at times, one thing that is very noticeable about him unlike to Bozak, is he doesn't support or give his D man an outlet when they are pressured. Wasn't bad tonight, but didn't really notice him.
Gleason - Played a quiet game, didn't notice him too much. Which maybe is a good thing for Franson. He is not as important as Gunnarson based on this viewing. But he is much better than Fraser or Ranger.
Mcclement - second effort, he tries, give him credit for this, but he is clearly miscast as a #3C. No complaints about his play, but he brings virtually no offence to the table.
D'amigo - thought the first PP goal was his fault, but all in all he was ok tonight.
Orr - Played with some vigour, did his job with some big hits and energy