Game 43: Toronto Maple Leafs @ Buffalo Sabres L3-2

[Kessel Run]

Blahhhhhhh

 

[Bender]

1st line has been invisible and Gus started the game with a save percentage matched by an open net. Not good enough.

Ok, but did you actually see the goals? I'd say two weren't his fault and he made at least 3 spectacular saves to keep it at 3-2 instead of 5-2 or more. I think Gustavsson is the last person to criticize. And even so, it'd be crazy to think we could win indefinitely. We were outplayed: It happens to every team. Now let's bounce back and have another 4 game win streak!

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Thought from 2-0 down Gus was great, he pooped the bed on the second goal for sure though and then made up for it. 

I blame this one on poor coaching, MacArthur on the PP was an absolutes abortion.

 

[ZBBM]

I have a bad feeling about tonight.  This game just means so much to the Sabres, and we beat them the other night... they are in danger of really putting themselves in a hole with a loss tonight.  We also traditionally have so much trouble in Buffalo (remember last year when Crabb scored that shorty with 10 min left to beat Buffalo 2-1?  That was great!).

A win tonight would be absolutely fantastic.

I'm in the same boat.  I'm hoping for a win but expecting a loss.  Especially with the Leafs on a 4 game winning streak, i can't remember the last time this team won 5 straight.

Beginning of last year?

Nope.

Just looked it up.  Last 5 game winning streak was between Jan 27th 2006 - Feb 6th 2006.  Raycroft won all 5 in a row.

They win tonight, they're in the playoffs.

Bah.  Reset the clock.  Maybe they can sweep the back end of the homestand.

 

[L K]

I'm really confused why MacArthur was suddenly on the point on the PP again.  I thought we tried that last year and it wasn't really working?

 

[azzurri63]

PP cost us tonight. We were down 2-0 early. Credit it to them they battled back but the second period I thought we missed our oppurtunity. They had 3 PP's and quite honestly didn't do much. Gus kept us in it after the rough start. Oh well take it out on the Rags tomorrow.

 

[Tigger]

Thought from 2-0 down Gus was great, he pooped the bed on the second goal for sure though and then made up for it. 

I blame this one on poor coaching, MacArthur on the PP was an absolutes abortion.

I don't think the second one was a complete softie, it was screened and redirected. I don't know how you can blame the coach with those first two goals though, the Leafs showed up after that... not their strongest effort but they did get back in the game while not allowing a PP goal either.

 

[4th Liner]

Kadri is playing like an idiot out there. He thinks he's in junior again. I've been banging my head on my desk the last few games he's been playing. Ugh.

I'm glad it's not just me that's seeing that - he's reverted back to a turnover machine. Bad decisions all over the place.

 

[L K]

Thought from 2-0 down Gus was great, he pooped the bed on the second goal for sure though and then made up for it. 

I blame this one on poor coaching, MacArthur on the PP was an absolutes abortion.

I don't think the second one was a complete softie, it was screened and redirected. I don't know how you can blame the coach with those first two goals though, the Leafs showed up after that... not their strongest effort but they did get back in the game while not allowing a PP goal either.

I'll blame him for going to MacArthur on the point for absolutely no reason, but otherwise, I agree.  This was just one of those games where the effort was there, but not enough to get a win.  They were mildly outplayed in an arena that they rarely play well in.  The Leafs hit several posts and Miller made some big saves.  Gus was solid after the 2nd goal (the 1st he had no chance on with the deflection and even the second, Gunnarsson screened him and probably deflected the puck too).  After that he was solid.  The 3rd goal he had no chance as Schenn decided it was more important to have both guys in front of the net stare at the pass.

 

[Tigger]

Yeah, Mac wasn't accomplishing much at all tonight, same for Connolly.

Cue the trade Schenn whirlwind, though he was pretty bad on the third goal, agreed.

 

[Deebo]

I'm thinking Gardiner might get back in tomorrow.

 

[Britishbulldog]

Yeah, Mac wasn't accomplishing much at all tonight, same for Connolly.

Cue the trade Schenn whirlwind, though he was pretty bad on the third goal, agreed.

As most know, I haven't liked MacArthur's hockey IQ for a while because it just doesn't match his skill.  I felt that Versteeg was that way as well when he was in Toronto...his skill was much higher than his hockey IQ.

I include MacArthur in every trade fantasy I make...including Getzlaf 

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Yeah I mean obviously he isn't the sole reason we lost, but that decision to keep Mac back there was abhorrent and I think that kinda killed our PP.

Just bitter, this definitely doesn't have the feel of a game we deserved to lose.

 

[bustaheims]

But, on the plus side, another perfect night on the PK.

 

[leafplasma]

I'm thinking Gardiner might get back in tomorrow.

Not that I feel anybody really deserves to come out in place of him but he really needs to see some action.  They really need to send Gardiner down to the Marlies where he can play everyday.  You really have to think that there is a trade in the works to move out a dman.  Burke is too smart to watch a young promising dman stagnate in the press box unless something is about to happen in the next week or so.

 

[maplesyrup]

I miss JML.  :'(

 

[WhatIfGodWasALeaf]

Glad to have Komi inside there instead of Gardiner. 

I mean is he really better than Jake at this point, especially when we don't have Liles?

 

[Edeagle]

Well.. I actually had a feeling that the Leafs were going to win this one even after down 2-0.. something I haven't felt in a while.. years past I would have turned it off and saw a 6-1 Sabres win on the ticker.. still a loss, but the team is looking more like a winner than ever before. Lets beat those dastardly Rangers tomorrow!

 

[Tigger]

Well, on the bright side with Gardiner sitting out it probably means he's not trade bait... 

 

[hockeyfan1]

Meh.  We didn't look sharp in this one.

I would definitely start Reimer tomorrow.  Gus was OK but nothing
more.

Nothing against Gustafvson, and I'm a big fan of the Monster, but, Reimer, I think is due his turn.  Wouldn't be surprised if Wilson starts him against the Rangers tonight.