- Oct 4, 2017
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There has been speculation over the past 24 hours even before last night debacle, that there is an illness running through the Leafs dressing room. Insider Steve Dangle makes a compelling argument that this may actually be the case. Giving some real examples:
1. Although Stolarz is believed to have suffered a concussion, he was throwing up in game at the bench. Could it have been concussion related? Probably. But could he also be suffering from a stomach bug of sorts? Possible.
2. Game 3 had multiple players head to dressing room for no apparent reason only to return and play without any indication that anything was physically wrong. Tanev, Jarnkrok, McCabe and Knies all let the ice in short spurts in game 3. As Dangle put it, is it possible they all had equipment issues? Probably not. Is it possible they all experienced injuries? No. As all 4 came back and played extensive minutes without any sign of any injury. Pooping and throwing up??? Possibly.
3. Matt Murray who would have been your backup in game 4 was scratched. Would the Leafs rather have Murray or inexperienced Hildeby on bench after Stolarz went down? My guess is that he was sick as Dangle speculates.
4. Matthews kept out of practice after game 3. Could it have been a maintenance day based on other injury? Very possible. Could he have been under the weather? Possible as well. Has he been visible the past 2 games? Barely. Something is up.
5. OEL kept out of practice before game 5 with what is deemed an illness. It speaks for itself based on the designation and report on his status from Berube.
All in all, this doesn't excuse the effort put forth last night. But is it possible that the Leafs are struggling as bad as they are because of illness at a bad time. I cannot phantom the thought that they looked as bad as they have against Florida because they are just that bad of a team. They are a good team, one that outplayed Florida for 7 periods to start the series. But for it to vanish all together is not normal. The effort is not there. Its not like they are getting beaten by a hot goalie like in the past. They are barely playing.
Just something to ponder.
1. Although Stolarz is believed to have suffered a concussion, he was throwing up in game at the bench. Could it have been concussion related? Probably. But could he also be suffering from a stomach bug of sorts? Possible.
2. Game 3 had multiple players head to dressing room for no apparent reason only to return and play without any indication that anything was physically wrong. Tanev, Jarnkrok, McCabe and Knies all let the ice in short spurts in game 3. As Dangle put it, is it possible they all had equipment issues? Probably not. Is it possible they all experienced injuries? No. As all 4 came back and played extensive minutes without any sign of any injury. Pooping and throwing up??? Possibly.
3. Matt Murray who would have been your backup in game 4 was scratched. Would the Leafs rather have Murray or inexperienced Hildeby on bench after Stolarz went down? My guess is that he was sick as Dangle speculates.
4. Matthews kept out of practice after game 3. Could it have been a maintenance day based on other injury? Very possible. Could he have been under the weather? Possible as well. Has he been visible the past 2 games? Barely. Something is up.
5. OEL kept out of practice before game 5 with what is deemed an illness. It speaks for itself based on the designation and report on his status from Berube.
All in all, this doesn't excuse the effort put forth last night. But is it possible that the Leafs are struggling as bad as they are because of illness at a bad time. I cannot phantom the thought that they looked as bad as they have against Florida because they are just that bad of a team. They are a good team, one that outplayed Florida for 7 periods to start the series. But for it to vanish all together is not normal. The effort is not there. Its not like they are getting beaten by a hot goalie like in the past. They are barely playing.
Just something to ponder.
