Kings @ Leafs - Dec. 14th, 5:00pm - SNO, TSN 1050

[Kessel Run]

Right, a tiny little streak and things could change very quickly. No losing streaks.

 

[Jaxtraw]

Who gets the GWG in this game? Lupul?

"The losing goalkeeper will not be charged with the extra goal
against. The player scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout will
not be credited with a goal scored in his personal statistics"

from the NHL rulebook

"Game-winning goals. After the final score has been determined, the goal which leaves the winning team one goal ahead of its opponent is the game-winning goal (example: if Team A beats Team B 8-3, the player scoring the fourth goal for Team A receives credit for the game-winning goal).
Note: Goals scored during a shootout are not credited as game-winning goals."

 

[herman]

Thanks for digging up the GWG ruling and welcome to the forum, Jaxtraw!

Agreed. I think the natural instinct, after what we've seen the past few years, is to be very concerned. I, on the other hand have a little more faith than most about this years squad.

The players they've added in the off season aren't rookies or shrinking violets. While I still feel a slump is inevitable, I don't see it being of the same, soul crushing, playoff-killing variety we're used to seeing around here.

Of course, that doesn't come with a personal guarantee, and all bets are off if there are any key injuries down the stretch.

I like how our team is starting to shape up too, but all the positives (Kadri, Franson, Winnik, Santorelli, Bernier) have contracts expiring at the end of this year. Lately, we've demonstrated some mental resilience, killer instinct, and commitment to playing the system. Hopefully those can carry over the rest of the year.

 

[ZBBM]

Missed both games this weekend. Never thought they'd sweep them.

After they lost to the Devils, not long after the fiasco of the Nashville and Buffalo games, I thought they were in trouble with the upcoming schedule of Vancouver, Calgary, Detroit twice and LA.

As in recent seasons past, I do not have a very good handle on this team.

You're not alone, my friend.  At this point, I wouldn't be surprised to see anywhere between 2 and 18 points in the next 10 games.

The next five weeks or so will tell the tale. I won't be surprised if they are out of a playoff spot by the end of Jan.

 

[bustaheims]

The next five weeks or so will tell the tale. I won't be surprised if they are out of a playoff spot by the end of Jan.

Yup. 13 of their 18 games leading up to the All Star Game are on the road. Could very easily be the defining point of the season. 

 

[Nik]

The next five weeks or so will tell the tale. I won't be surprised if they are out of a playoff spot by the end of Jan.

Yup. 13 of their 18 games leading up to the All Star Game are on the road. Could very easily be the defining point of the season.

Although they do have 1.3 points per game at home and 1.3 points per game on the road so far this season so...success?

 

[bustaheims]

Although they do have 1.3 points per game at home and 1.3 points per game on the road so far this season so...success?

We'll see. Their current road record is nice, but, they haven't had much by way of games on the road - they've played the least in the league - and certainly no extended stretches on the road (their longest road trip so far has been 2 games).

 

[Nik]

Although they do have 1.3 points per game at home and 1.3 points per game on the road so far this season so...success?

We'll see. Their current road record is nice, but, they haven't had much by way of games on the road - they've played the least in the league - and certainly no extended stretches on the road (their longest road trip so far has been 2 games).

I just thought the symmetry was worth mentioning. In all seriousness, I agree that the road ahead is inherently unknown and fraught with many potential pitfalls.

 

[bustaheims]

I just thought the symmetry was worth mentioning. In all seriousness, I agree that the road ahead is inherently unknown and fraught with many potential pitfalls.

I figured, I just thought a little context might be useful for people, as well.

 

[Nik]

I figured, I just thought a little context might be useful for people, as well.

It would be interesting to see if there was any sort of definitive information on whether or not teams tend to play worse the longer a road trip goes on.