Leafs @ Kings - Nov. 2nd, 10:30pm - TSN4, TSN 1050

[herman]

In more positive news, for those that missed the game, Kapanen looked quite good.

He was confident on the puck, fast as ... a puck, and stronger and more assertive with his decisions. Kadri had a rough game again, and Komarov was Komarov, so there wasn't much to see when Kapanen had to try to solo a rush.

 

[CarltonTheBear]

In more positive news, for those that missed the game, Kapanen looked quite good.

He was confident on the puck, fast as ... a puck, and stronger and more assertive with his decisions. Kadri had a rough game again, and Komarov was Komarov, so there wasn't much to see when Kapanen had to try to solo a rush.

Aside from that one shift I thought Kadri had a good game/2 periods.

 

[herman]

Aside from that one shift I thought Kadri had a good game/2 periods.

You're right. I was thinking about how semi-invisible he was as the Leafs settled down, but that means he was relatively solid. It was certainly a much better game for him than the previous.

 

[Coco-puffs]

In more positive news, for those that missed the game, Kapanen looked quite good.

He was confident on the puck, fast as ... a puck, and stronger and more assertive with his decisions. Kadri had a rough game again, and Komarov was Komarov, so there wasn't much to see when Kapanen had to try to solo a rush.

As disappointing as it will be that Leivo probably sits for a while going forward, Kapanen looked much better than him.  Add to the fact that Kapanen kills penalties and I don't see Leivo coming in for Kapanen anytime soon.

Man, if that fourth line could just be Leivo-Bozak-Marner now that we've played two of the heavier teams in the league, that would be great.

 

[ZBBM]

In more positive news, for those that missed the game, Kapanen looked quite good.

He was confident on the puck, fast as ... a puck, and stronger and more assertive with his decisions. Kadri had a rough game again, and Komarov was Komarov, so there wasn't much to see when Kapanen had to try to solo a rush.

As disappointing as it will be that Leivo probably sits for a while going forward, Kapanen looked much better than him.  Add to the fact that Kapanen kills penalties and I don't see Leivo coming in for Kapanen anytime soon.

Man, if that fourth line could just be Leivo-Bozak-Marner now that we've played two of the heavier teams in the league, that would be great.

I see what you mean but I think Marner needs to get off the 4th line.  He's showing signs of the classic sophomore slump and getting him out of it is a pretty high priority -- which won't happen there.

 

[mr grieves]

Man, if that fourth line could just be Leivo-Bozak-Marner now that we've played two of the heavier teams in the league, that would be great.

I see what you mean but I think Marner needs to get off the 4th line.  He's showing signs of the classic sophomore slump and getting him out of it is a pretty high priority -- which won't happen there.

Well, a Leivo-Bozak-Marner 4th line would probably help get him going again... decent talent, sheltered minutes...

But if he's playing in the top 9 to regain his game, I'd like him to be kept away from Bozak. A turn on the Kadri/shutdown line might be a challenge that'd be good for him.

 

[Strangelove]

The team was winning before Babcock decided to shuffle the lines in order to promote Brown and demote Marner. He hasn't stopped shuffling the lines since, Marner hasn't got going, and the team hasn't stopped losing. Team chemistry is pretty clearly out of whack.

Bozak is not a fourth line player. If he's playing that poorly, you might as well bench him instead. Marner is not a fourth line player either.

I dislike Bozak more than anyone, but at this point he should be back in a third line role with JVR and and Marner seeing limited minutes. Then put Kadri, Marleau and Leivo together on the second line. Komorov has lost a step and does nothing offensively. He and Moore can hang out on the fourth line with Brown and kill penalties.

 

[Andy007]

The team might have been winning prior to the shuffling but they weren't playing consistent hockey and were scoring goals at a ridiculously high rate. Now that teams have started to employ a neutral zone trap, those goals are drying up and the existing flaws are more apparent. Bozak's 3rd line is a train-wreck defensively. If you want to use him there in a limited role you'd have to give him some defensive-minded wingers, rather than sticking with the JVR Marner combo that can't get out of their zone. Marleau has looked pretty sharp at centre too. Moore isn't any more suited to the 4th line than Bozak, imo. Take Martin out, get both Leivo and Kapanen in and that's a pretty nice forward group. 

 

[Strangelove]

The team might have been winning prior to the shuffling but they weren't playing consistent hockey and were scoring goals at a ridiculously high rate. Now that teams have started to employ a neutral zone trap, those goals are drying up and the existing flaws are more apparent. Bozak's 3rd line is a train-wreck defensively. If you want to use him there in a limited role you'd have to give him some defensive-minded wingers, rather than sticking with the JVR Marner combo that can't get out of their zone. Marleau has looked pretty sharp at centre too. Moore isn't any more suited to the 4th line than Bozak, imo. Take Martin out, get both Leivo and Kapanen in and that's a pretty nice forward group.

They are definitely a trainwreck defensively. But give them offensive end face offs and play them 12 minutes per game and you may get some use out of them. Or else marleau between Marner and JVR.

Marner needs to not be on the 4th line.