Post-Game Talk: Leafs @ Habs | Leafs win 2-1!

[The Winter Soldier]

We must have been reading 2 different threads or something. I saw a lot of people bashing over Grabo and how poorly he played tonight. On the other hand it was the first game of the season, people just need to get back to playing in the NHL.

I thought the reason to play in the KHL was to have a jump on NHL'ers when the season started, Komarov looked good, not sure why Grabo and Kule's excuse was. Really I don't want to pile on, I didn't think Grabo looked good late last year either, 5.5M, big contract and security can do things to a player. You have to be hungry, when you play in a UFA year you have something extra, this is only part of the reason why I think Bozak would have had a big yr this year, he is playing for a contract. 47 games to go, he was sort of cheated but he can still prove he is a NHL'er, Grabo he's got his contract. Not as hungry?

 

[mt99808]

Phaneuf needs to cut weight. He's a damn fridge.

Gotta say I agree with this. He looked slower than Schenn tonight.

 

[Cor]

You seem angry lol.

lol They admit they were bad, but somehow think we were worse?

 

[THHT]

He made the saves when he had too.

True, but he did have some problems with holding on to the puck and some huge rebounds.

 

[Suntouchable13]

I think the Leafs played a good road game. What else do you want? They are finally looking like a well coached team.

 

[fahad203]

Grabo was invisible and awful. He's a one of those streaky players when he's hot he's hot. I thought him and Kulemin would play really well considering they were playing KHL. Apparently not.

Kudos to Brown for scrapping against Prust.

Van Rym Dysk. I liked what I saw. He provides some much needed size

Meclement, I didn't even notice him out there. I don't remember a single shift. He was wearing 11? Didn't dupuis used to wear that? I hope he plays better

Gunnerson I thought played a solid game. He looked poised and in control

Bozak, he'll never get any credits, he won't be liked. For a guy who was a freebie and costs us nothing compare to Komi , and once Connelly and Lombardi, takes the most criticism. all he does is his job.

Opponent:

Kaberle : Bro I loved you as a Leaf. It bothers me to see you like this. Please retire or play in KHL. Your just not the same player anymore

Armstrong: You were playing in ECHL during lock out. You should have stayed there

 

[RealisticLeaf55]

I thought the reason to play in the KHL was to have a jump on NHL'ers when the season started, Komarov looked good, not sure why Grabo and Kule's excuse was. Really I don't want to pile on, I didn't think Grabo looked good late last year either, 5.5M, big contract and security can do things to a player. You have to be hungry, when you play in a UFA year you have something extra, this is only part of the reason why I think Bozak would have had a big yr this year, he is playing for a contract. 47 games to go, he was sort of cheated but he can still prove he is a NHL'er, Grabo he's got his contract. Not as hungry?

I fully agree with your point of Bozak, he has a determination that everyone should come to admire and you are spot on about Grabo's play and how he should have no excuses. The fact of the matter is Grabo is needed on this team for the offense he brings and the role that he plays. The best we can do is just see how the next 47 games go and see who is and who is not worth being part of the Nonis era.

 

[Kingstonian84*]

I think the Leafs played a good road game. What else do you want? They are finally looking like a well coached team.

I thought they played well for 2/3 of the game, first 2/3 they were aggressive on the puck, physical in the corners, they boxed out the habs in the D zone. But they fell apart in the 3rd, they sat back and got passive, they allowed the habs to take control, thankfully the habs were not able to captalize on the chances. Lets put it this way, this situation needs to be addressed (ie 3rd period collapse), you cannot afford in a 48 shortend game season to take ANY team for granted because one bad fall ends the season BUT I am very sure Carlyle will address this situation head on.

 

[Hyperglide]

Grabo was invisible and awful. He's a one of those streaky players when he's hot he's hot. I thought him and Kulemin would play really well considering they were playing KHL. Apparently not.

Kudos to Brown for scrapping against Prust.

Van Rym Dysk. I liked what I saw. He provides some much needed size

Meclement, I didn't even notice him out there. I don't remember a single shift. He was wearing 11? Didn't dupuis used to wear that? I hope he plays better

Gunnerson I thought played a solid game. He looked poised and in control

Bozak, he'll never get any credits, he won't be liked. For a guy who was a freebie and costs us nothing compare to Komi , and once Connelly and Lombardi, takes the most criticism. all he does is his job.

Opponent:

Kaberle : Bro I loved you as a Leaf. It bothers me to see you like this. Please retire or play in KHL. Your just not the same player anymore

Armstrong: You were playing in ECHL during lock out. You should have stayed there

McClemment was good on the PK. That's why we signed him.

 

[Hyperglide]

Habs fans are the masters of being crybabies. Even after talking so much **** on your pre-game thread and stalking our pre-game/GDT and cross-posting, you still come back and cry after you lose. You need something better to do.

Habs fans tears. Now in Strawberry and Blueberry flavour!

 

[LeafOfBread]

McClemment was good on the PK. That's why we signed him.

Yeah I can't believe he's serious about that McClement comment. McClement was solid tonight. Made a lot of great defensive plays and was crucial on the PK.

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

Nazem in affect... where the haters at?! The boy will grow with confidence. And Benny Scrivens was good for us, that's all we need from him. Now stay consistent.

Player of the game: Kostka.

 

[jughead42*]

As much as I'd like to be excited about the win, and I am a little bit, that Montreal team was pathetic for most of the game. We barely beat a pretty crummy team. Another thing that bothers me is the fact that we lost two faceoffs for every one that we won. Now if we were playing a good team and got schooled in the faceoff dot I could understand, but that Montreal team sucks. Our prized defensive acquisition McClement was as bad as all of them. Yuck.

 

[Giuseppe Sallo]

A WIN is a WIN!

 

[4evaBlue]

Who cares. We won.

The point is, we need to get a lot better very fast. I realize a lot of teams are playing sloppy hockey due to the lack of a proper training camp, but if we barely managed to get the W against an awful Habs team, we'll have our hands full with the Sabres, Pens, and Rags next week.

 

[Hockeylaw]

I thought both teams were a little bit scatterbrained, but I expected that after such a long break. Glad to see the win, and happy that Kadri and Kostka both had a strong performance.

Phaneuf needs to cut weight. He's a damn fridge.

He seemed quick enough gaining the zone on the Kadri goal.

 

[Peace Frog]

Other than the Habs, it looks like the rest of the NE division came to play tonight. Oh well, the Buds just have to focus on their game and not worry about anyone else. Go Leafs Go!!

 

[Kingstonian84*]

The point is, we need to get a lot better very fast. I realize a lot of teams are playing sloppy hockey due to the lack of a proper training camp, but if we barely managed to get the W against an awful Habs team, we'll have our hands full with the Sabres, Pens, and Rags next week.

I dont think the Sabres will be that tough, they really arent that good offensively, not saying they wont be tough but they arent a team to be feared either. The team IMO that will be the biggest handful is Pittsburgh, they have a healthy Crosby/Malkin plus they are playing their home opener, the ball will be it there court and how we respond will be the biggest test.

 

[Crispy Crust]

The point is, we need to get a lot better very fast. I realize a lot of teams are playing sloppy hockey due to the lack of a proper training camp, but if we barely managed to get the W against an awful Habs team, we'll have our hands full with the Sabres, Pens, and Rags next week.

I agree.

I dont think the Sabres will be that tough, they really arent that good offensively, not saying they wont be tough but they arent a team to be feared either. The team IMO that will be the biggest handful is Pittsburgh, they have a healthy Crosby/Malkin plus they are playing their home opener, the ball will be it there court and how we respond will be the biggest test.

Agreed with this here.

 

[Cor]

I dont think the Sabres will be that tough, they really arent that good offensively, not saying they wont be tough but they arent a team to be feared either. The team IMO that will be the biggest handful is Pittsburgh, they have a healthy Crosby/Malkin plus they are playing their home opener, the ball will be it there court and how we respond will be the biggest test.

They were't that good offensively and then they traded their top line center for a bottom 6 guy...

 

[Polk High]

I think the Leafs played a good road game. What else do you want? They are finally looking like a well coached team.

It was nice to see some structure

 

[Kingstonian84*]

Agreed with this here.

Thanks. If Scrivens IS playing vs the pens he's going to have to be a lot better then tonight, he made saves but lets be honest the shots were from the outside against a lackluster habs team. I highly doubt we can keep Crosby and Malkin will be on the perimter all night, Scrivens will have to make some magical saves if we have any hopes of winning.

 

[LolungoReboundo]

been a long time since I posted but with hockey back its good to be back, that game was boring as hell but we won so no complaints. that third line played excellent

 

[HenryH]

Carey Price kept the habs in the game, without him Leafs would have gotten a few more goals in the first 2 periods.

 

[stakesishigh]

Player of the game: Kostka.

He had a good first period. I don't think that warrants a player of the game nomination.

I think there were a few better players on the ice that had a more complete game.