GDT: Jan 21/13: HOME OPENER Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs | Sportsnet-O 7PM

[Fear The Phil]

Is gardiner in tonight?

From what I heard there may be a chance that he plays on Wednesday. Hence playing Fraser and Holzer tonight, since upon Gardiners return we have to waive one of them.

 

[King Mapes]

Stats are stats and win is a win. Of course. It's a good thing.

A seen game is a seen game. I saw it. He (Scrivens) played pretty awful game even on the road. Just wait and SEE what happens tonight in front of every fan.

I still emphasize this: A game is to be seen. Stats are numbers, they fail.

Awful is extremely exaggerated. 1 goal on 21 shots or whatever isn't awful. Shaky? Sure. Awful? Far from it.

If he gives up 1 goal maybe he has confidence so roll with him. If you switch, it sends a bad message

 

[Fear The Phil]

Awful is extremely exaggerated. 1 goal on 21 shots or whatever isn't awful. Shaky? Sure. Awful? Far from it.

If he gives up 1 goal maybe he has confidence so roll with him. If you switch, it sends a bad message

+1

 

[King Mapes]

Whether he's ready is not Gardiner's decision. He hasn't even participated in a contact practice.

Yup, players have said they are ready before and it ended up worse. You need to make sure

 

[Clark4Ever]

Whether he's ready is not Gardiner's decision. He hasn't even participated in a contact practice.

I believe he has been taking part in regular practices for a few days now. It's obviously not his decision as to whether he should start, but for whatever it's worth, he stated that he's ready to go.

 

[lampshade*]

Stats are stats and win is a win. Of course. It's a good thing.

A seen game is a seen game. I saw it. He (Scrivens) played pretty awful game even on the road. Just wait and SEE what happens tonight in front of every fan.

I still emphasize this: A game is to be seen. Stats are numbers, they fail.

What we will see is Reimer working on his leather ass, with a stupid grin. He will have a great career as a backup.

 

[Mr Scarface*]

Awful is extremely exaggerated. 1 goal on 21 shots or whatever isn't awful. Shaky? Sure. Awful? Far from it.

If he gives up 1 goal maybe he has confidence so roll with him. If you switch, it sends a bad message

Shaky to me is awful.

Also a switch sends a fantastic message if it has been already determined who plays saturday and who gets the start monday. Often these decisions are made early on, a week before these games even begin. So it isn't a message at all. Just a decision made during christmas.

 

[JoeParez]

Stats are stats and win is a win. Of course. It's a good thing.

A seen game is a seen game. I saw it. He (Scrivens) played pretty awful game even on the road. Just wait and SEE what happens tonight in front of every fan.

I still emphasize this: A game is to be seen. Stats are numbers, they fail.

Why is there always a person who has to play 'Debbie Downer'?

"Oh just wait and see.." along with a negative statement.

I'm not sure if you know - but Scrivens has played in Toronto for the past year.
He even played playoff games and championship games, IN TORONTO.

He'll be fine.

Have some faith for once.

 

[bunjay]

I believe he has been taking part in regular practices for a few days now. It's obviously not his decision as to whether he should start, but for whatever it's worth, he stated that he's ready to go.

Gardiner, who also participated in some limited drills on the final day of training camp Friday, said after Monday’s skate that he’s ready to participate in full-contact drills but that he still must get clearance from the team to do so.

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/21/leafs-gardiner-says-hes-ready-to-return

 

[7even]

Stats are stats and win is a win. Of course. It's a good thing.

A seen game is a seen game. I saw it. He (Scrivens) played pretty awful game even on the road. Just wait and SEE what happens tonight in front of every fan.

I still emphasize this: A game is to be seen. Stats are numbers, they fail.

Lol.

 

[Mr Scarface*]

Why is there always a person who has to play 'Debbie Downer'?

"Oh just wait and see.." along with a negative statement.

I'm not sure if you know - but Scrivens has played in Toronto for the past year.
He even played playoff games and championship games, IN TORONTO.

He'll be fine.

Have some faith for once.

Oh no no. He has not played a playoff game with the Leafs. Ever.

Also he hasn't started a short important season in front of the great home fans.

There will be huge pressure and many other factors.

On the road it's easier to start, so I liked carlyle's decision to give scrivens the start there.

This tonight is a mistake.

 

[Clark4Ever]

http://www.torontosun.com/2013/01/21/leafs-gardiner-says-hes-ready-to-return

Thanks for the update.

From the article...

“I told them I’m pretty much ready to go, so it’s just a coaches’ decision,†Gardiner said. “It’s tough sitting here, but we’re being pretty cautious. Hopefully I have a long career ahead so I don’t want to risk it too soon. I feel good now so I’m ready to go.â€

The 22-year-old Minnesotan had an impressive rookie year for the Leafs last season, making the team out of camp while recording seven goals and 30 points in 75 games. That strong play carried over to the Marlies this season, where he was the team’s highest-scoring defenceman with nine goals and 17 points before being injured.

The earliest Gardiner could be in the lineup would be Wednesday night in Pittsburgh against the Penguins, though it might make more sense to hold him out for one more game and have him start the season at home against the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

So realistically, it looks like Gards should return on Thursday.

 

[JoeParez]

Oh no no. He has not played a playoff game with the Leafs. Ever.

Also he hasn't started a short important season in front of the great home fans.

There will be huge pressure and many other factors.

On the road it's easier to start, so I liked carlyle's decision to give scrivens the start there.

This tonight is a mistake.

Okay, so who starts then? Jams Riemer? Who hasn't started a game in almost a year?

 

[Liferleafer]

Stats are stats and win is a win. Of course. It's a good thing.

A seen game is a seen game. I saw it. He (Scrivens) played pretty awful game even on the road. Just wait and SEE what happens tonight in front of every fan.

I still emphasize this: A game is to be seen. Stats are numbers, they fail.

Just so you are aware, i was at the game.(as i will be tonight) Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what you "saw" that was bad. Other than his puck handling, he was solid. Good poaitional play, worked the angles well.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Scrivens is scary in net (glove hand and puck handling) but he got the job done and deserves another shot today.

I don't really care how he plays, as long as we keep on putting up the W's

 

[Liferleafer]

Oh no no. He has not played a playoff game with the Leafs. Ever.

Also he hasn't started a short important season in front of the great home fans.

There will be huge pressure and many other factors.

On the road it's easier to start, so I liked carlyle's decision to give scrivens the start there.

This tonight is a mistake.

I'm going to copy this mistake comment. If Scrivens wins tonight, i'll repost.

 

[Mr Scarface*]

Just so you are aware, i was at the game.(as i will be tonight) Perhaps you could enlighten us as to what you "saw" that was bad. Other than his puck handling, he was solid. Good poaitional play, worked the angles well.

Last time it was a television game for me. Slow motions etc.

A shaky game. Meaning awful. Bad movement in the first period. Some very bad puck handlings and mistakes here and there. Didn't read the game well at times. Also his skating was "forced", it was like he was thinking what others think. Weird.

 

[mix1home]

Scrivens really does need to simplify things behind the net. Seemed more like nerves than anything else last game, though.

He did these things on Marlies too. He often jams the board with the pad to stop the puck, but occasionally bounces back from it and falls. I think he needs to use his stick more to do it.

But then again, he will never be able to handle the puck if he is not practicing it (including game situations).

 

[topched]

Oh no no. He has not played a playoff game with the Leafs. Ever.

Neither has Reimer

Also he hasn't started a short important season in front of the great home fans.

Neither has Reimer

There will be huge pressure and many other factors.

"Many other factors"? Very detailed and astute argument. What other factors could that be? Like Carleton the bear staring down at him from behind the net? A cold draft at the ACC? The distraction from the smell of tube steaks from the establishment formerly known as Burkie's Dog House?

On the road it's easier to start, so I liked carlyle's decision to give scrivens the start there.

This tonight is a mistake.

I don't think anyone in the NHL would agree with you on that. Look at home-road splits for most teams each season for evidence.

You've got fans cheering for you as opposed to booing you, you've got corners, and glass and dasher boards that you are familiar with, reference points for angles etc. It really isn't "easier" to start on the road at all.

 

[Phion Keneuf]

Both teams look fairly equal, although buffalo has the advantage in net.

 

[Sokil]

lol just heard Phaneuf's pre-game interview, wow, what a bonehead

he belongs on Trailer Park Boys, it feels like he's going to drop some Rickyisms soon

 

[Leafidelity]

On the road it's easier to start, so I liked carlyle's decision to give scrivens the start there.

You think it's easier to start in Montreal?

 

[mix1home]

Wish we'd switch Bozak and Kadri (though I understand not switching Bozak after other night) and Cmac with JVR

I would rather switch JVR with Kulemin to create powered 2nd line.
And I dont see Kadri on the 1st line for this season. He is in perfect position on 3rd line to learn C responsibilities at NHL level (and take some lessons from Steckel on draws), all while toughest match-ups are on Grabo line. Grabo line is pretty much used as checking line now.

 

[Mr Scarface*]

Neither has Reimer

Neither has Reimer

Reimer doesn't has to play in the playoffs. He has more experience and laughs with the home media and fans though than Scrivens. Reimer has shown he can play at home and now it's the shortened important season so it would have been a fine choice for him to start this game. You'll see and learn.

"Many other factors"? Very detailed and astute argument. What other factors could that be? Like Carleton the bear staring down at him from behind the net? A cold draft at the ACC? The distraction from the smell of tube steaks from the establishment formerly known as Burkie's Dog House?

Biggest one is the thinking process. The whole home media is out there, so are the fans. That fan nation makes some goalies crumble under that pressure. It has happened and will happen again.


I don't think anyone in the NHL would agree with you on that. Look at home-road splits for most teams each season for evidence.

You've got fans cheering for you as opposed to booing you, you've got corners, and glass and dasher boards that you are familiar with, reference points for angles etc. It really isn't "easier" to start on the road at all.

Everybody who has played the game knows that it's much more easier to start on the road. You don't have to think anything else but the game itself.

 

[TheBigThree]

Every game is on Gamecenter Live

I said pregame ceremony, and last night all games skipped the home opener ceremonies on gamecenter