Game 6 - Toronto Maple Leafs @ Boston Bruins L6-2

[puckinthehead]

Gustavsson doesn't have the mental fortitude to be a starter in the NHL. He played well enough but rolled over when things started to get really bad. That's been his MO during his stay here.

Sure seems that way, like it's all too much for the kid. Two heart episodes, larger than life expectations. Maybe he feels "pegged" already by T.O. fans/media too. Takes a lot to think your way out of that. A few wins in a row might do wonders for him, but I still see a guy that appears to be intimidated by it all.

 

[dappleganger]

I hear Columbus is in the market for a backup. Gus would have a chance to steal the starter's role there as well.

 

[Derk]

Missed the game last night, but checked up on the score from time to time. All I can say is boooooo!!!

Time to see what this team is made of. This is where they completely went in the tank last season - hopefully this year they will stay a bit competitive for a lot longer!

 

[Newbury]

Am I the only one that doesn't really blame Gus and/or put any weight into this game in regard to his ability to be a decent backup?

 

[Arn]

Am I the only one that doesn't really blame Gus and/or put any weight into this game in regard to his ability to be a decent backup?

No. I thought he played quite well. He did the same as Reimer had been doing, and especially at 3-1 kept us in the game for a long period.

Maybe his head did drop a little after the 4th and the 5th goal was a bit soft. But there was one goal where he made 2 saves close in before the puck was put in on the 3rd attempt which kind of summed up his night.

 

[lc9]

I can't figure our why on our PK that the forwards just sit back and let the point men do as they please.  Very little pressure on the puck carrier.  They are free to whip it around as they see fit.  The forwards are so deep in the zone  that you expect the point shots to go in.  I just don't understand why this never changes. 

Pretty much everyone was lousy lastnight.  My buddy came over to watch the game, his first look at the leafs, and I was talking them up after the 4-0-1 start.  As left he said, "same ole leafs." 

Last night was tough though, any team that has to play Orr and Rosehill in an NHL game has no business winning. 

 

[Bullfrog]

Am I the only one that doesn't really blame Gus and/or put any weight into this game in regard to his ability to be a decent backup?

I'll echo Arn's reply. He wasn't stellar, but made many good saves. I'll give him a pass for last night because of how crappy the defense played in front of him.

He did make some silly mistakes though, such as not cutting off that one dump-in.

 

[Stronger Than All]

Just watched the lolights.  Gus let in perhaps a few softies.

Blah,  I'm worried this will be exactly like last year and by the end of the road trip we'll be 4-4-1.

 

[Peter D.]

The Leafs were hemmed in to start the game, so I thought it was a sign of things to come.  But then they scored first, and you figured they just may put up a good fight.  Then it all crumbled away.  Not an unexpected result, particularly considering Boston's game against Carolina.

Thoughts:

-  Didn't think Gustavsson was bad.  A few goals shouldn't have gone in, but for the most part he played well.  He had no help.  I don't see the result being different with Reimer in net.

- Franson -- playing in the Nashville system masked his deficiencies.  He is slow on the pivot ala Luke Schenn and he's already being exposed on the Leafs.

- I know it's six games in, but Kulemin has been disappointing.  He's been darn near invisible in my estimation.

- I thought Kadri was the best Leaf last night and he instantly brings a much needed element on offence.  He should stay.  Frattin had a good game himself. 

- Schenn had a better game but he's still been brutal to start the year.  (Completely out of the blue bringing this up, but people seriously wouldn't have traded for Stamkos if Schenn were in the deal?!)

 

[brothert]

I can't figure our why on our PK that the forwards just sit back and let the point men do as they please.  Very little pressure on the puck carrier.  They are free to whip it around as they see fit.  The forwards are so deep in the zone  that you expect the point shots to go in.  I just don't understand why this never changes. 

I don't just see this as a PK problem.  They do it even strength too.  I think it's a Wilson mandate as the SJ forwards did it alot in his tenure there as well.  I think the wingers have to drop low and receive the puck at the hash marks on the boards in order to break out.  This puts alot of pressure on the D to "finesse" a chip out to this halfway position.  If they get it right, toronto breaks out.  If they get it wrong then you turnover the puck and your stuck in your own end with point men under no pressure and your wingers out of position.  It's been working well for the other teams this season to pinch alot on the leafs.  Anybody have stats on time in defensive end vs time in offensive end this season?  I am sure it's a little bit lopsided.

 

[Kin]

The loss is obviously not his fault but he sure seemed to fold after a few goals compared to Reimer.

That's just not true. Gus was very good in a second period where the Leafs had a ton of opportunities to get back in the game. He couldn't carry the team all by himself but that's not really a fair criticism.

 

[Erndog]

- I know it's six games in, but Kulemin has been disappointing.  He's been darn near invisible in my estimation.

I'm concerned Kulemin is going to be another Bryan Little.  Have a real good, 30+ goal season early on in their careers followed by a couple of poor years (13 goals and 18 goals, 0 goals so far this year). 

I really hope I'm wrong but I think it's certainly possible Kulemin (as well as Mac and Grabbo) had career years last year.  If so, we're in trouble  :-\

 

[TML fan]

Kulemin has 1 goal.

 

[caver]

The loss is obviously not his fault but he sure seemed to fold after a few goals compared to Reimer.

That's just not true. Gus was very good in a second period where the Leafs had a ton of opportunities to get back in the game. He couldn't carry the team all by himself but that's not really a fair criticism.

Agreed. And i don't understand Wilson's thinking in having Gus play in that game. I mean, playing the Stanley Cup champs who were off to a slow start and had just been humbled by Carolina. You've got to think they were pissed and ready to break out. Then put in a goalie who is trying to rebuild his confidence for his first start this year??!! Behind a tired Leaf team?

 

[Erndog]

Kulemin has 1 goal.

I was saying Bryan Little went from 31 to 13 to 18 to 0 (so far this year).

 

[TML fan]

Kulemin has 1 goal.

I was saying Bryan Little went from 31 to 13 to 18 to 0 (so far this year).

My bad.

 

[TML fan]

The loss is obviously not his fault but he sure seemed to fold after a few goals compared to Reimer.

That's just not true. Gus was very good in a second period where the Leafs had a ton of opportunities to get back in the game. He couldn't carry the team all by himself but that's not really a fair criticism.

Agreed. And i don't understand Wilson's thinking in having Gus play in that game. I mean, playing the Stanley Cup champs who were off to a slow start and had just been humbled by Carolina. You've got to think they were pissed and ready to break out. Then put in a goalie who is trying to rebuild his confidence for his first start this year??!! Behind a tired Leaf team?

Yeah but he didn't play badly. The Leafs played badly. I think the coaching staff saw in Gustavsson what most of us saw. A guy who played the best he could behind a team that wasn't ready to play.

Unfortunately for Gustavsson, I think they also saw what some of us did, and that's a goalie with poor body language that essentially screams to his teammates: "I've given up on you".

Gustavsson doesn't lack confidence in himself. He lacks confidence in his teammates.

 

[Kessel Run]

The loss is obviously not his fault but he sure seemed to fold after a few goals compared to Reimer.

That's just not true. Gus was very good in a second period where the Leafs had a ton of opportunities to get back in the game. He couldn't carry the team all by himself but that's not really a fair criticism.

Agreed. And i don't understand Wilson's thinking in having Gus play in that game. I mean, playing the Stanley Cup champs who were off to a slow start and had just been humbled by Carolina. You've got to think they were pissed and ready to break out. Then put in a goalie who is trying to rebuild his confidence for his first start this year??!! Behind a tired Leaf team?

Gus should have played against Winnipeg.

 

[TML fan]

The loss is obviously not his fault but he sure seemed to fold after a few goals compared to Reimer.

That's just not true. Gus was very good in a second period where the Leafs had a ton of opportunities to get back in the game. He couldn't carry the team all by himself but that's not really a fair criticism.

Agreed. And i don't understand Wilson's thinking in having Gus play in that game. I mean, playing the Stanley Cup champs who were off to a slow start and had just been humbled by Carolina. You've got to think they were pissed and ready to break out. Then put in a goalie who is trying to rebuild his confidence for his first start this year??!! Behind a tired Leaf team?

Gus should have played against Winnipeg.

So then maybe Gustavsson wins that game and Reimer gets shelled in this one. I don't see the difference? Wilson can't prepare for a game believing that his team isn't ready to go. Behind a ready Leafs team, I think Gustavsson has a chance to win that game. He played well enough. They scored 2 goals on rebounds, a perfectly placed one timer, and a 2-on-0. The other two goals didn't matter.

 

[Zee]

I sure hope the Leafs win tomorrow night or the cries of "it's just like last year!" will begin in earnest.