What a bunch of horse sh!t. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing against the likes of JFJ senior and his ilk playing for three grand a year. And working at Best Buy in the off-season. I play real hockey too so I don't have to worry about watching hockey like the rest of you losers.
- Skalapy

I hate the stupid Bower and john ferguson junior senior quote. I'll flip out if I ever see it again.

I hate the stupid Bower and john ferguson junior senior quote. I'll flip out if I ever see it again.
- yea-ok-buddy

What a bunch of horse sh!t. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing against the likes of JFJ senior and his ilk playing for three grand a year. I play real hockey too so I don't have to worry about watching hockey like the rest of you losers.

I think you misunderstood the context of what I said. "I don't know how they're doing it" refers to statistics. Based on the numbers, they should not be winning as many hockey games as they are. Their goalies are average at best with neither of them making a strong case to be a legitimate starter. Their special teams are rather abysmal. Their offense is incredibly inconsistent, but none of that really matters because like I said in my article, they've been staring adversity in the face the past six weeks and still getting the job done. The standings don't care how you won just if you did and the Maple Leafs are getting it done and like I posted last week, this is the very reason I expect them to make the playoffs.

If you want to get more literal with it, I think they're winning games because they're engaging the defense more and have made great strides in their transition game with a great first pass and because they've managed to keep some level of consistency among their forward lines despite the injuries they've faced.

Take a deep breath and enjoy tonights game.
- jules

I liked the blog firstly. But I have to disagree with you about the statistics. There are a few notable ones that I think explain our success quite well:

24- The number of fighting majors, the highest in the league. They aren't punching bags and if your players try funny business they will be held accountable. Once you take that in t account there PIM isn't so bad as you mentioned.

1.15- 5 on 5 goal ratio, good for 7th in the league. Evidence that Carlyle's system is working.

.923- The average save percentage of our 2 goalies

2.94- The average goals per game, good for 7th in the league. I don't exactly know where you were coming from about the inconsistent offense.

I think you misunderstood the context of what I said. "I don't know how they're doing it" refers to statistics. Based on the numbers, they should not be winning as many hockey games as they are. Their goalies are average at best with neither of them making a strong case to be a legitimate starter. Their special teams are rather abysmal. Their offense is incredibly inconsistent, but none of that really matters because like I said in my article, they've been staring adversity in the face the past six weeks and still getting the job done. The standings don't care how you won just if you did and the Maple Leafs are getting it done and like I posted last week, this is the very reason I expect them to make the playoffs.

If you want to get more literal with it, I think they're winning games because they're engaging the defense more and have made great strides in their transition game with a great first pass and because they've managed to keep some level of consistency among their forward lines despite the injuries they've faced.

Take a deep breath and enjoy tonights game.
- jules

I'm really starting to like you.

What a bunch of horse sh!t. I wonder how many concussions Johnny Bower got playing against the likes of JFJ senior and his ilk playing for three grand a year. I play real hockey too so I don't have to worry about watching hockey like the rest of you losers.
- Skalapy

response to trolling

I liked the blog firstly. But I have to disagree with you about the statistics. There are a few notable ones that I think explain our success quite well:

24- The number of fighting majors, the highest in the league. They aren't punching bags and if your players try funny business they will be held accountable. Once you take that in t account there PIM isn't so bad as you mentioned.

1.15- 5 on 5 goal ratio, good for 7th in the league. Evidence that Carlyle's system is working.

.923- The average save percentage of our 2 goalies

2.94- The average goals per game, good for 7th in the league. I don't exactly know where you were coming from about the inconsistent offense.
- MapleLeafsFTW

All very true.

ohhhh kaayyyyyy....
- Arctic_AARDVARK

LOL I've got to change it up a bit...variety is the spice of life and there's a lot of hockey to be talked about!! That said, I promise to write more about the Leafs. Deal?

I liked the blog firstly. But I have to disagree with you about the statistics. There are a few notable ones that I think explain our success quite well:

24- The number of fighting majors, the highest in the league. They aren't punching bags and if your players try funny business they will be held accountable. Once you take that in t account there PIM isn't so bad as you mentioned.

1.15- 5 on 5 goal ratio, good for 7th in the league. Evidence that Carlyle's system is working.

.923- The average save percentage of our 2 goalies

2.94- The average goals per game, good for 7th in the league. I don't exactly know where you were coming from about the inconsistent offense.
- MapleLeafsFTW

I will not argue with these stats, but you even said it yourself - few notable stats. For me the most important one is the 5-on-5 play, which in my opinion has been their saving grace. At times, I think 5-on-5 success is even more important than special teams, but just think how good they'd be if they could figure it out on the power play as well! The inconsistent offense is more of an individual distinction than as a team. It will be interesting to see what happens when Frattin gets back into the mix and then when Lupul returns as well.

You're getting caught in semantics.

Yes, Reimer and Scrivins are CAPABLE of very strong play, but they are not the reason they're winning hockey games - which is of course the topic at hand. They might not be losing hockey games, but they're certainly not stealing a large majority of them.

Their special teams are abysmal. Just because 15 teams have worse numbers doesn't make their numbers any better. This isn't a relative thing. You don't get bonus points when your opponents PP/PK sucks worse UNLESS you can take advantage of it. A power play with a 16.5% efficiency is a crappy power play no matter how you look at it and when you ALLOW more power play goals than you can convert...you're special teams are abysmal.

You perfectly described my definition of inconsistent offense. Scoring by committee is a wonderful thing and it is one of the strengths of this team, but the reason they are a team that scores by committee is because of an inconsistent effort by the "big guns". Some nights they're on fire and some nights they're on the ice for four goals against. Guys stepping up and filling in the gaps should be a bonus, not a necessity.

I've actually been watching this team a lot because I'm excited to see them play this season and think they have a very bright future a head of them. Like I said before, there's no logical explanation as to why they're winning games, nothing to really pinpoint their success on, but they're getting it done and I like it.
- jules

Ummmm ...is this for realz?

I will not argue with these stats, but you even said it yourself - few notable stats. For me the most important one is the 5-on-5 play, which in my opinion has been their saving grace. At times, I think 5-on-5 success is even more important than special teams, but just think how good they'd be if they could figure it out on the power play as well! The inconsistent offense is more of an individual distinction than as a team. It will be interesting to see what happens when Frattin gets back into the mix and then when Lupul returns as well.
- jules

I used to school your cousin AR on the ice. I'm pretty sure he moved away due to this.

Real fighter's are not often scared. You can tell who the true fighters are because they're the ones who don't talk they just go.

People now-a-days are so wrapped up in intimidation. Real fighters and real tough teams can not be intimidated. Sore and puffy the next day but not scared or regretful.
- stevecarpetman

It's not the Parros's of the world I'm concerned about intimidating, it's the Prusts.

It's not the Paros's of the world I'm concerned about intimidating, it's the Prusts.
- Jeffmt

What actually happened on that play (or before it)? Besides Prust being his usual self, what did he do? I was in FLA enjoying the pool and beverados of the warm and sunny persuasion (mojitos, pina coladas, Coronas).

What actually happened on that play (or before it)? Besides Prust being his usual self, what did he do? I was in FLA enjoying the pool and beverados of the warm and sunny persuasion (mojitos, pina coladas, Coronas).
- gravyface

It's not even really just one thing that I'm referring to, just Prust being a Richard in general.

I guess most recently I was annoyed when he was laughing at Phaneuf from the bench for not fighting him when he wouldn't fight McLaren in the first period. Fake tough guy.

I used to school your cousin AR on the ice. I'm pretty sure he moved away due to this.
- Skalapy

I know...you tell me every time you comment on my blog, but we both know you're over exaggerating your skills....

Decent home win for the Buds. Not a great first two periods, but came on strong and throughly out-played the Devils in the 3rd. Mac and Kadri were the best players upfront all night I thought for Toronto. Reimer played pretty good, and had some luck.

LOL I've got to change it up a bit...variety is the spice of life and there's a lot of hockey to be talked about!! That said, I promise to write more about the Leafs. Deal?
- jules

Deal

I think you misunderstood the context of what I said. "I don't know how they're doing it" refers to statistics. Based on the numbers, they should not be winning as many hockey games as they are. Their goalies are average at best with neither of them making a strong case to be a legitimate starter. Their special teams are rather abysmal. Their offense is incredibly inconsistent, but none of that really matters because like I said in my article, they've been staring adversity in the face the past six weeks and still getting the job done. The standings don't care how you won just if you did and the Maple Leafs are getting it done and like I posted last week, this is the very reason I expect them to make the playoffs.

If you want to get more literal with it, I think they're winning games because they're engaging the defense more and have made great strides in their transition game with a great first pass and because they've managed to keep some level of consistency among their forward lines despite the injuries they've faced.

Take a deep breath and enjoy tonights game.
- jules

Um, the Leafs are 10th in GAA and have 2 goalies over .920 S%..... not sure how that's average.

They are score the 7th most and give up the 10th least goals but you don't think the stats say they shouldn't be winning as much??

LOL I've got to change it up a bit...variety is the spice of life and there's a lot of hockey to be talked about!! That said, I promise to write more about the Leafs. Deal?
- jules

Now you're fishing for hits

I know...you tell me every time you comment on my blog, but we both know you're over exaggerating your skills....
- jules

Sounds like you talked to his ex GF.

You're getting caught in semantics.

Yes, Reimer and Scrivins are CAPABLE of very strong play, but they are not the reason they're winning hockey games - which is of course the topic at hand. They might not be losing hockey games, but they're certainly not stealing a large majority of them.
- jules

They are not the reason they are winning hockey games, because many things are clicking for the Leafs right now. But they certainly are a reason. I don’t know how to be more clear – they have not been average. They have been very good. If you don’t think so, you haven’t been watching. Key saves at key times have been the norm. For example, Reimer robbing Elias last night, while they were up by a goal, middle of the third period. Two shutouts in a row by Scrivens. If you watched the Habs game last week, if not for the goaltending, I doubt it would have been a tie game after two periods.

Their special teams are abysmal. Just because 15 teams have worse numbers doesn't make their numbers any better. This isn't a relative thing. You don't get bonus points when your opponents PP/PK sucks worse UNLESS you can take advantage of it. A power play with a 16.5% efficiency is a crappy power play no matter how you look at it and when you ALLOW more power play goals than you can convert...you're special teams are abysmal.

- jules

As much as I find this some very unusual logic (that a team with a 15th ranked PP in a 30 team league is abysmal), let’s go with it. Surely if you think that their PP is abysmal because it’s converting at 16.5% efficiency, there is no logic in the entire world that can somehow justify calling a PK that allows the other team to convert at nearly the same rate abysmal as well. I think you’re going to have to admit that you’ve misspoken here.

It doesn’t help your point that the Leafs have scored 15 power play goals this year, while allowing 13 against. It was 14 scored to 13 allowed at the time you stated that they had allowed more than scored.

You perfectly described my definition of inconsistent offense. Scoring by committee is a wonderful thing and it is one of the strengths of this team, but the reason they are a team that scores by committee is because of an inconsistent effort by the "big guns". Some nights they're on fire and some nights they're on the ice for four goals against. Guys stepping up and filling in the gaps should be a bonus, not a necessity.

- jules

Well, I guess that’s your definition. I will say that, calling an offense that scores 2 or more goals more frequently than just about every team in the league, and a game nearly never goes by that they don’t score more than a goal, inconsistent, is using a definition that is “unique”. At best.

I think what you’ve been trying to point out is that certain players within the offense are inconsistent. And I think you’re most likely pointing to Lupul, who I would say is not necessarily inconsistent, but injured. And Kessel, who hasn’t been putting the puck in the net at his usual rate (although, I’d say if you think he’s been inconsistent, you’re a little off base on that too). Through the first 8 or 10 games, it seemed like Kessel was ringing two or three pucks off the post or crossbar a game. It wasn’t that he was inconsistent, it just didn’t seem like things were bouncing his way. It’s also worthwhile to note that anybody that has been watching the games, would say that they’ve never seen Kessel making plays, instead of being the trigger man, like this before. I knew he could make some nice passes, but wow, some of the plays he’s set up have been unbelievable. He could easily have another 6 or 8 assists.

I've actually been watching this team a lot because I'm excited to see them play this season and think they have a very bright future a head of them. Like I said before, there's no logical explanation as to why they're winning games, nothing to really pinpoint their success on, but they're getting it done and I like it.
- jules

Well, see, that’s the thing, there are lots of reasons. They’re getting good goaltending, behind a dependable system, playing a very disciplined game, getting teams on their heels with speed, they’ve built a roster that may not necessarily have any elite marquis stars, but has some very good players through three lines, making it near impossible for coaches to play matchups and key on certain players to shut down. Having three solid lines that can contribute is a pretty valuable thing when you’ve got a compressed schedule as well. It helps when you don’t have to play your first line 25 minutes a game, because when you’re playing 4 games a week, it’s unsustainable.

If you can’t see why they’re winning games, I don’t think you’re paying much attention.