Crumbling Leafs
Did I pick a horrible time to start writing a Maple Leafs blog, or what? In the midst of only the second four game losing streak since Quinn took over, I'd have to agree with myself.
Last night's 5-3 loss to the Wild was chock full of turn-overs courtesy of lazy passing in our own end, failed stick handling attempts to clear the zone, weak play along the boards, clumped skaters in the neutral zone, telegraphing...not to mention the stupid penalties, especially O'Neill's frustration job late in the second. Oh yeah, and Khavanov went down with a rib injury. But that wasn't the difference in the game. It was the gift of a goal scored by Walz 0:33 into the second period. Take that one away and it was a completely different game.
I'm not sure if it is a lack of execution or the effectiveness and adaptability of the system Quinn has in place, but something isn't right. The Leafs have been a dominant team in maybe ten contests this year, but in the majority of games they are a team that appears capable of only tying its opponent.
Quinn can't just clamp down on defense like he used to do after letting go of the reins for the first twenty games or so because that style of play is no longer permissible. The offense isn't quick enough to generate turn-overs and score that extra goal, but rather is giving up that extra goal per game. Play in all three zones of the ice is lackluster. So something has to change, but I'm not sure Quinn has anything left in his bag of tricks.
On the bright side, Stajan scored another shorty and Allison continued to hustle, though he did enter the zone at least three times and decided not to shoot despite the recent urging of the coaching staff. Also, Allison's slow motion deke described as 'lazy' as he went around Zyuzin was worthy of a chuckle.
Next up the Ottawa Senators in an away-and-away series Saturday and Monday. That bodes well. Atleast Montreal is in the midst of a tough western swing. That is as positive as its going to get today. Swami PS2 isn't awake yet.
01/20/06 UPDATE: Binary Swami says Leafs lose 5-2
I love the long sleeve T
Last night's 5-3 loss to the Wild was chock full of turn-overs courtesy of lazy passing in our own end, failed stick handling attempts to clear the zone, weak play along the boards, clumped skaters in the neutral zone, telegraphing...not to mention the stupid penalties, especially O'Neill's frustration job late in the second. Oh yeah, and Khavanov went down with a rib injury. But that wasn't the difference in the game. It was the gift of a goal scored by Walz 0:33 into the second period. Take that one away and it was a completely different game.
I'm not sure if it is a lack of execution or the effectiveness and adaptability of the system Quinn has in place, but something isn't right. The Leafs have been a dominant team in maybe ten contests this year, but in the majority of games they are a team that appears capable of only tying its opponent.
Quinn can't just clamp down on defense like he used to do after letting go of the reins for the first twenty games or so because that style of play is no longer permissible. The offense isn't quick enough to generate turn-overs and score that extra goal, but rather is giving up that extra goal per game. Play in all three zones of the ice is lackluster. So something has to change, but I'm not sure Quinn has anything left in his bag of tricks.
On the bright side, Stajan scored another shorty and Allison continued to hustle, though he did enter the zone at least three times and decided not to shoot despite the recent urging of the coaching staff. Also, Allison's slow motion deke described as 'lazy' as he went around Zyuzin was worthy of a chuckle.
Leaf Lines
Steen-Sundin-Stajan(who replaced O'Neill in the third, but really deserves the prime ice time)
Ponikarovsky-Allison-Antropov
The rest were ineffective and barely played
Leaf Pairings
Kaberle-Colaiacovo
Berg-Klee
The above played approx. 50 minutes
Steen-Sundin-Stajan(who replaced O'Neill in the third, but really deserves the prime ice time)
Ponikarovsky-Allison-Antropov
The rest were ineffective and barely played
Leaf Pairings
Kaberle-Colaiacovo
Berg-Klee
The above played approx. 50 minutes
Next up the Ottawa Senators in an away-and-away series Saturday and Monday. That bodes well. Atleast Montreal is in the midst of a tough western swing. That is as positive as its going to get today. Swami PS2 isn't awake yet.
01/20/06 UPDATE: Binary Swami says Leafs lose 5-2
It was a tough night for the Maple Leafs as Jason Spezza had three assists.
I love the long sleeve T
posted by mike @ 10:22 AM
1 Comments:
At 4:59 AM,
James Mirtle said…
Did I pick a horrible time to start writing a Maple Leafs blog, or what? In the midst of only the second four game losing streak since Quinn took over, I'd have to agree with myself.
You're jinxing them... this may be the death of the blog if they drop another 10.
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