Seven Game Stretch to Define Leafs Season

[7even]

Sure. Their defense has been built on the notion of "the worst case" scenario, that is the other team has gained entry into our zone, is wrecking havoc either by crashing the crease or cycling the corner, or some combination of both, and we need big (usually also slow) bodies to a) clear the front of the net, b) block the myriad of shots that are coming from the point (because we can't efficiently get the puck out on one try) c) and if all goes well and we retrieve the puck, the defenseman makes a rudimentary pass to spring the speedy forwards loose.

I think this siege mentality is a real problem. It puts us in the defensive shell like the first 5-7 minutes of the Winnipeg game in the second on Saturday night, all those Mark Fraser shifts where they're holding on for dear life, Komisarek and Schenn lowlight reels over the last few years, the Holzer experiment, etc.

What is clearly missing is an element of highly mobile, highly aware defender who can go in and mop up the mess created by the cycling chaos and also settle the puck and buy some time to choose where to transition the puck to most efficiently instead of panicking and blindly throwing it up the ice. Kind of a Timonen element to the Luke Schenn's that we have.

Me and you, we're like the same person.

+1.

 

[Stephen]

Me and you, we're like the same person.

+1.

Seems like there's only two kinds of people, us and people who work for the Leafs...

 

[The Apologist]

Sure. Their defense has been built on the notion of "the worst case" scenario, that is the other team has gained entry into our zone, is wrecking havoc either by crashing the crease or cycling the corner, or some combination of both, and we need big (usually also slow) bodies to a) clear the front of the net, b) block the myriad of shots that are coming from the point (because we can't efficiently get the puck out on one try) c) and if all goes well and we retrieve the puck, the defenseman makes a rudimentary pass to spring the speedy forwards loose.

I think this siege mentality is a real problem. It puts us in the defensive shell like the first 5-7 minutes of the Winnipeg game in the second on Saturday night, all those Mark Fraser shifts where they're holding on for dear life, Komisarek and Schenn lowlight reels over the last few years, the Holzer experiment, etc.

What is clearly missing is an element of highly mobile, highly aware defender who can go in and mop up the mess created by the cycling chaos and also settle the puck and buy some time to choose where to transition the puck to most efficiently instead of panicking and blindly throwing it up the ice. Kind of a Timonen element to the Luke Schenn's that we have.

I was at the game against Winnipeg. What sealed us in wasn't a siege mentality, it was lazy, unorganized play. It was panic hockey, and getting away frim the system Carlyle has been teaching.It would stand to reason that this 'siege' mentality would also have come into effect in the other 50 minutes of the game, wouldn't you say?

 

[Diatomic]

If we do make the playoffs, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Before this 5game losing streak other teams boards (esp habs) were stuck on the fact that the Leafs are a cup contention team, and even stated that our roster is Big/tuff etc and "Built for the playoffs". If this is coming from habs fans, who are 1st in the east, it says something about our team.

 

[The Apologist]

If we do make the playoffs, we are a force to be reckoned with.

Before this 5game losing streak other teams boards (esp habs) were stuck on the fact that the Leafs are a cup contention team, and even stated that our roster is Big/tuff etc and "Built for the playoffs". If this is coming from habs fans, who are 1st in the east, it says something about our team.

Not with a defensive top 6 of Liles, Gards, Phaneuf, Franson, Fraser, Gunnar... Talk about soft.

 

[Diatomic]

Not with a defensive top 6 of Liles, Gards, Phaneuf, Franson, Fraser, Gunnar... Talk about soft.

Yeah forsure, and D's not just the problem Randy's mixing up offensive lines with a blender and our Goalies still don't know whos a backup and whos not

 

[The Apologist]

Yeah forsure, and D's not just the problem Randy's mixing up offensive lines with a blender and our Goalies still don't know whos a backup and whos not

He's trying to find a fit for guys who don't fit. Grabbo is not a 4c, but Kadri has outplayed him. Bozak and Kessel are inseparable. Now the question will be whether to switch Lupes and JVR or not.

 

[Mess]

Not with a defensive top 6 of Liles, Gards, Phaneuf, Franson, Fraser, Gunnar... Talk about soft.

That is why management was hoping that Holzer would be able to establish himself instead of Liles, in order to add size, strength and physicality to the Leafs defense.

The current defense group has given up 4 or more goals in 7 of the past 8 games and its is showing up in the loss column as a result. Leafs (or any team would be hard pressed to be successful at that rate.

In regards to next up coming games win(s) against the Bruins will be vital.. Winnipeg beat the Leafs twice and beat the Bruins as well the other day and are now on our tail (in fact ahead of the Leafs). So Leafs if they want to succeed have to be able to beat the top teams as well otherwise things are going to go downhill and we will not have to concern ourselves about playoff game wins.

 

[KuleminFan41]

Not with a defensive top 6 of Liles, Gards, Phaneuf, Franson, Fraser, Gunnar... Talk about soft.

Phaneuf and Fraser are "soft"?

Can't win

 

[paulster2626]

That is why management was hoping that Holzer would be able to establish himself instead of Liles, in order to add size, strength and physicality to the Leafs defense.

The current defense group has given up 4 or more goals in 7 of the past 8 games and its is showing up in the loss column as a result. Leafs (or any team would be hard pressed to be successful at that rate.

In regards to next up coming games win(s) against the Bruins will be vital.. Winnipeg beat the Leafs twice and beat the Bruins as well the other day and are now on our tail (in fact ahead of the Leafs). So Leafs if they want to succeed have to be able to beat the top teams as well otherwise things are going to go downhill and we will not have to concern ourselves about playoff game wins.

There is no greater demonstration of Fan patience then to suggest to "Play the Kids " and be willing to accept the consequences of those actions

 

[The Apologist]

That is why management was hoping that Holzer would be able to establish himself instead of Liles, in order to add size, strength and physicality to the Leafs defense.

The current defense group has given up 4 or more goals in 7 of the past 8 games and its is showing up in the loss column as a result. Leafs (or any team would be hard pressed to be successful at that rate.

In regards to next up coming games win(s) against the Bruins will be vital.. Winnipeg beat the Leafs twice and beat the Bruins as well the other day and are now on our tail (in fact ahead of the Leafs). So Leafs if they want to succeed have to be able to beat the top teams as well otherwise things are going to go downhill and we will not have to concern ourselves about playoff game wins.

Agreed, but who is available that can slot into our extremely weak defence?

 

[The Apologist]

Phaneuf and Fraser are "soft"?

Can't win

No, but Liles, Gardiner, Franson an Gunnar certainly are. In fact. I'm not sure exactly what Gunnar does anymore?

 

[Stephen]

I was at the game against Winnipeg. What sealed us in wasn't a siege mentality, it was lazy, unorganized play. It was panic hockey, and getting away frim the system Carlyle has been teaching.It would stand to reason that this 'siege' mentality would also have come into effect in the other 50 minutes of the game, wouldn't you say?

Carlyle's system provides structure to diffuse defensive zone pressure, but other teams have mechanisms to crank that right back up, namely forecheck with speed and cycle our defensemen with lack of footspeed. We have a lot of guys who really don't have the legs or the brains to be able to find the wingers to get the puck out of the zone when they're under that kind of heat, since they're playing outside of their comfort zone. The fact that they're being played ahead of quicker more skilled defensemen makes it abundantly clear the Leafs were okay with this, so long as a save can be made and they can reset with a faceoff...