Motherfucking fuck was I wrong.
The Senators again dismantled a comically outmatched Leafs team. Ottawa ended up winning 5-1, but they were in cruise control for the majority of the game. Want proof? Vesa Toskala was pulled about 8 minutes into the second period - and Andrew Raycroft only saw one shot against until the last minute of the period. Over 10 minutes of play, and the most dynamic offense in the league gets one shot? Not likely. Funny enough, this is the part of the game that the media described as Toronto's best. In reality though, the Senators were sitting back and playing a trap-style defense, fully knowing the game was theirs.
Random Game Notes:
- How many times is Joe Bowen going to say "I don't think anyone in the league can stop Mats Sundin when he is trying to come out from behind the net"? Fuck, Joe, Mats has been doing that for 15 years and all of a sudden this season you can't stop remarking about it? I think you forget that many people watch most Leafs games, and hear you say that every fucking game. It gets old. Move on to something worth noting.
- Using a conservative figure, the Leafs gave up about 250 odd man rushes last night. Just brutal.
- After Ottawa's 4th goal, Paul Maurice called a timeout and screamed at his team like they were Gitmo prisoners. Great tactic, Paul, but where the fuck was the passion before your team got blown out? This is something I've noticed from the coach since he arrived in Toronto. A slow reaction time; making coaching moves when it's simply too late. He doesn't bench players often for shitting the bed. He only pulls a goaltender when the game is out of reach. If I am behind the bench last night, Vesa Toskala is pulled after the two quick Ottawa goals in the first. Not to blame the goaltender, but to remind the team that poor play will not be tolerated. Moreover, players whose mistakes lead directly to quality scoring chances for the opposition can take a seat on the bench until a point is made. Great coaches do all of these things. Paul Maurice doesn't.
- From Mike Zeisberger's column today in the Toronto Sun: "A disgusted Maurice said afterward he might have to start sitting out players." You absolutely do, Paul. It should have been happening most of the year.
- One more kick to Maurice's vagina: last night, the Leafs scored a powerplay goal to gain momentum - however little - and the coach immediately put out Chad Kilger, John Pohl, and Boyd Devereaux. Paul, what the fuck? That's a sure way to lose any and all momentum you had. Still down 3 goals in the opponents building, you have to come back with a strong line, not your 4th line shitbags.
Wisdom, from Howard Berger:
"Naturally, there remains a large faction of Leaf supporters that is more than content with the status quo and cannot even fathom a sensible, business-type decision that might spell the end for Sundin in Toronto. It is, of course, their glazed-over attitude that the owners of the Leafs have preyed on for decades. Winning is such a foreign concept in Leaf-land that few fans can truly identify with it. Instead, the undying devotion for long-time heroes easily fills the void, along with dreaming in technicolour about the immediate impact of future heroes (i.e. Anton Stralman)."
Wisdom, from Steve Simmons (no, seriously):
"In the wake of Ottawa's signing of Jason Spezza for seven years and $49 million US, it is even more apparent what a mess Ferguson has made of the Leafs' salary situation for this and the coming years.
The Stanley Cup contending Senators, with Spezza, Dany Heatley and Daniel Alredsson all under contract for the future, have just more than $41 million in salaries committed to next season.
The non-contending Leafs, playing at a 72-point pace heading into last night, have $42 million already committed -- the highest number in the NHL -- without having Mats Sundin, Kyle Wellwood, Alexander Steen or Matt Stajan under contract for next season.
If this team isn't anywhere near upper echelon now considering the contract situation, how can anyone not see that they will be worse off a year from now having been strangled by Ferguson's cap counting?
No one knows what the salary cap figure will be for next year, but if the number drops from just over $50 million, the Leafs will have no room for movement or improvement: Making
the playoffs shouldn't determine Ferguson's future.
No comments:
Post a Comment