Get Used To It

As expected, the Leafs lost to the Senators last night. Final score 4-3 in overtime. The picture below summarizes Sens/Leafs matches over the last couple of years:


The Leafs, for the most part, looked adequate against the toughest team in the conference. But only adequate. There were, however, agonizing stretches that showed the disparity between the teams, and during those times I realized what it must be like to be a Blue Jackets fan. The Leafs open the regular season with a home-and-home series against the Senators on October 3 and 4. They really need to find a way to beat this team if they hope to succeed this year.

I've read a lot from the Toronto Sports media this morning about just how bad the team looked when the game winning goal was scored, and I have to take issue with that. Jason Spezza did make a nice play setting up the Patrick Eaves goal - but Ottawa was on a powerplay. And, being that it was overtime, it was a 4 on 3 powerplay. What does that mean? That there was much more open ice in which Spezza could skate around. Moreover, it would have been foolish for any Leaf player to chase around the puck carrier whilst shorthanded.

A penalty kill is all about positioning - this is why you always hear about "the box", "the triangle" or the "inverted triangle" depending on how many players you have out there. You're supposed to let the player skate around the periphery with the puck with only a slight challenge. That way, you can cover every other player on the ice...in theory. The real mistake on behalf of the Leafs was that Patrick Eaves was left alone in front, but the media has focused on how Spezza had control of the puck for a lengthy period of time before the puck. What douchebags.

Random Game Notes:
- My notes on Andrew Raycroft from last night began with phrases like "great positioning" and "looking confident" and ended with phrases like "soft goal" and "went down too early". This is Raycroft's career story.

- And, what the fuck was up with Schubert's goal that was 20 mph, along the ice? How do you not save that one when you've gone down in the butterfly position (like you always do)? Answer: you're Andrew Raycroft, you find a way to let it in.

- Hall Gill was again the backbone of two significant Leaf penalty kills - a 4 on 3 and a 5 on 3. Stop it, Hal, my boner is starting to show.