Leafs @ Panthers - Feb. 4th, 7:30pm - SN, SN 590

[Spider]

The whole team seemed a step behind tonight.  Other than Bernier, everyone was off.  Could be the Dad's, the nice weather, Olympic break coming...they were not in the right mind tonight.  Can't win every game, but nights like this are so disheartening.

 

[ZBBM]

I agree, but we know the tactics aren't going to change which means the forwards aren't going to play better defense, so the obvious thing to go is upgrade on Franson.

Sure, but, really, that's a drop in the ocean. Moving Franson for a player who isn't a defensive blackhole is a move the team needs to make, but, with the way they play, it's not going to make much of a difference.

Well, you know how the old saying goes: a journey of a thousand miles starts by stumbling over the threshold.

 

[freer]

That lose I am hanging on Franson. The game was still winnable when Clarkson scored. Franson was the cause of two goals.

I hope they trade him.

 

[Tigger]

I heard the Leafs played tonight at one of those off main clubs, experimental jazz led by a cat named Bernier?

Edit to add... Gardiner vs. Huberdeau? Now that's some off brand fisticuffs...

 

[CarltonTheBear]

‏@SteveBurtch

Despite going 9-1-1 (probably 9-2-1 now) the #Leafs have allowed 39 goals in their last 12 gp. That is 3.25 per game with .915+ goaltending

Just looking at that 11-game stretch, the Leafs allowed 35 goals and scored 43 goals. So they allowed an average of 3.18 goals against and scored an average of 3.9 goals per game. I wonder which of those numbers are more sustainable?

Before tonight they were averaging 2.82 goals a game while giving up 3.02 goals a game.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

Tweet from yesterday:

Mark Masters ‏@markhmasters  Feb 3
Carlyle: Decision to call-up Smithson, send down McKegg was bc he wanted more of a defensive player / PKer / strong on FOs guy on road

Smithson took one faceoff tonight. And he didn't see any ice-time shorthanded (although the Leafs were only on the PK twice).

 

[Beowulf]

I missed the game but saw the highlight of Clarkson's goal, for those that watched the whole thing how did he play otherwise?

 

[Stickytape]

Montreal pulls ahead in the standings via tie breaker, still with one game in hand.

 

[Strangelove]

I missed the game but saw the highlight of Clarkson's goal, for those that watched the whole thing how did he play otherwise?

Slow, out of position and generally useless.

 

[Tigger]

I missed the game but saw the highlight of Clarkson's goal, for those that watched the whole thing how did he play otherwise?

Disaster in his own end, better but misused and overpaid in the opponents.

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

Somehow Kulemin was on the ice for more chances for than against. The only Leafs player to do so.

 

[L K]

I missed the game but saw the highlight of Clarkson's goal, for those that watched the whole thing how did he play otherwise?

Comically useless.  The only time he hustles is if the puck is directly on his stick or the initial push on the forecheck.  The number of times he floated around the ice.  This was exactly the kind of game that the team needed Clarkson's "intangibles" for.

Also nice to see Gardiner get in a fight with Orr on the ice.  F'ing useless.

 

[L K]

I'm in Florida right now for a job interview.  I went to the game tonight and sat in the 5th row in the Panthers offensive zone.  I bought the ticket off Stub-hub for 45 dollars.  At best the arena was 2/3 full and at least 70% of those fans were Leafs fans.  It was actually a really fun atmosphere succesfully drowning out every single "Let's go Panthers" chant.

Too bad the crowd was the only part of the Leafs to show up (aside from Bernier). 

Carlyle is really quiet on the bench.  He does a lot of scowling and scrawling on his pads of paper (seriously, no Ipad?) but doesn't do much in terms of barking during/after plays.

Franson continues to be awful in the neutral zone/defensively.  I don't really understand why he is so capable at the offensive blueline at handling the puck in tight quarters, but so inept everywhere else.  He's the guy the Leafs needs to improve the defense with but they aren't going to get very much for him.

The Leafs strategy of collapsing down low in the defensive zone but them having the forwards streak way out in the neutral zone continues to be a problem any time the Leafs play a team that clogs the neutral zone.  Florida played the Leafs to near perfection most of the night by taking away those plays and turning the puck back around for the quick transition.

Also, the Leafs can't win a puck battle to save their lives...I don't understand why Carlyle insists on dump-ins.  The Leafs most dangerous plays all came off players carrying the puck into the zone.

 

[Beowulf]

Thanks for the responses...I've been very critical of Clarkson so far but I'm honestly trying very, very (VERY) hard to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially with it being his first game back.

That being said, first game back excuses aside it sounds like the status quo for what we've seen from him despite the goal. 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Somehow Kulemin was on the ice for more chances for than against. The only Leafs player to do so.

Yeah...that's the guy on the block.

 

[Can8899]

Thanks for the responses...I've been very critical of Clarkson so far but I'm honestly trying very, very (VERY) hard to give him the benefit of the doubt, especially with it being his first game back.

That being said, first game back excuses aside it sounds like the status quo for what we've seen from him despite the goal.

There's no doubt that Clarkson needs to be better, I think even he would admit that as well.  But, I think the 10 gamer to start the season really set him out for a tough go. The 2 gamer and this past injury also has not helped him get his season going.

Also, he's being used in a defensive role so if we were expecting 20 goals and 40 points even with a full season I'm not so sure we'd see that from him.  Similar to Grabbo last year, he has not been put in position to succeed offensively.

Again, we all know he needs to play better but I'm not ready to pull the plug on him just yet.  Give him a full season on the second line and PP time I think we'll see some more production.

 

[Nik]

Also, he's being used in a defensive role so if we were expecting 20 goals and 40 points even with a full season I'm not so sure we'd see that from him.  Similar to Grabbo last year, he has not been put in position to succeed offensively.

But aside from whatever personal criticism we might want to throw at Clarkson why in the world is he being used in a defensive role? He didn't have a reputation for being a terrific defender in New Jersey. He didn't get time on their PK. He was a guy who could add some physicality and score some goals.

 

[L K]

Also, he's being used in a defensive role so if we were expecting 20 goals and 40 points even with a full season I'm not so sure we'd see that from him.  Similar to Grabbo last year, he has not been put in position to succeed offensively.

But aside from whatever personal criticism we might want to throw at Clarkson why in the world is he being used in a defensive role? He didn't have a reputation for being a terrific defender in New Jersey. He didn't get time on their PK. He was a guy who could add some physicality and score some goals.

This is a reasonable defense of Clarkson actually.  I want to see what happens if he gets a prolonged look with Holland (when he gets back in the lineup).  I think Clarkson spent a good portion of his year on a a line with Kulemin and McClement.  We have seen what the Leafs 3rd line does with McClement running the show.  Maybe Clarkson looks better when the Leafs actually dress three lines that are capable of doing more than flub the puck into the offensive zone and then go off on a change.

 

[Stickytape]

Quick question:  When was the last time you remember being impressed with Gardiner?

 

[GhostofPotvin29]

This is a reasonable defense of Clarkson actually.  I want to see what happens if he gets a prolonged look with Holland (when he gets back in the lineup).  I think Clarkson spent a good portion of his year on a a line with Kulemin and McClement.  We have seen what the Leafs 3rd line does with McClement running the show.  Maybe Clarkson looks better when the Leafs actually dress three lines that are capable of doing more than flub the puck into the offensive zone and then go off on a change.

Close.  Clarkson's played the majority of his minutes with Raymond and McClement, in that order.