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Sunday Summary: Give the Leafs a Break Already. Makar, Kaprisov, Crosby |
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It’s Sunday, it’s spring-like, it’s time to summarize some thoughts from the opening round.
* Give the Leafs a Break Already.
The problem with sports and sports fans is that we too often don’t live in the present. Last night’s loss to Tampa has ZERO to do with previous playoff failures and needs to be viewed for what it is…The Leafs hung toe to toe with the two time champs and at times even dominated them. This series was the epitome of a toss up. You can blame them Hockey Gods, but honestly I don’t know what else the Leafs could have done besides get just a few breaks and maybe take a few less penalties…which may not really be their fault either…
This may have been the first round, but it is hard to imagine Tampa facing a tougher team until perhaps Colorado in the Final. Leaf fans get NO solace from this I know. I feel for you all. But as an outsider I can tell you this…and what you might not want to hear. This Leafs team IS good enough to win a Stanley Cup, AND they are only getting better. Keep tweaking, but don’t blow anything up a there WILL be a celebration..
* Connor McDavid is WAY more intense than I ever thought he was
McDavid has to be breathing a little easier, at least I hope the guy can smile and relax a bit. I truly can’t remember a single player EVER feeling the pressure and weight of a franchise and CARRYING that weight so well. The expressions on his face through the final few games was that of a soldier at war. Even when the Oilers were leading in games…McDavid is a warrior and fully feels that he is the single reason this team will succeed or fail….and he may be right. I have gained even more respect for this kid.
* Sidney Crosby still matters THAT much to the Penguins.
The Penguins are a different team NOT only because of what he does on the ice, but the calmin confidence he brings to EVERY player on the Penguins. Makes you realize that he may be one of the rare superstars that actually makes a great coach someday.
*No matter how many goals you have or the Panthers have you aren’t winning the game until its over.
They should be called The Sharks because they absolutely can smell blood. Bobrovsky’s a true bend don’t break goalie. Bob is scary because you can sort of tell what his game is going to be like by the first shots he faces. When he is off he is WAY off, but he also is the kind of goalie that if you pull him after he gives up a few bad goals you could lose him for a month. He is all about playing better when there is no fear of failure..The Panthers have figured this out and let him give up bad goals knowing that he could at any moment flip a switch OR you are just going to have to outscore the other team. Easier to play that way versus Washington than Tampa of course…
*The Minnesota Wild ALSO deserve a bit of a break. And they have the best Russian player..maybe ever.
Ok, it may be a bit of hyperbole for me to call Kaprisov the BEST Russian player ever…but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a player with the speed of Bure, the smarts of Larionov, and the gamesmanship of Ovechkin in the same package. If he was a Canadien, Leaf, Ranger or Blackhawk he would be included in the discussions with McDavid, MacKinnon, Matthews and the rest. I feel he is already better RIGHT NOW than Kucherov…though few agree with me. His edge work is on par with McDavid, which makes it the best edges ever…. and so is his determination.
* Cale Makar is the Next Bobby Orr.
If you aren’t watching Makar every game you are missing not just a Superstar, but the rarest of superstars…Cale Makar is what I will call and S.E.T. Or “Superstar who is Evolutionary and Transformative.” Ever watch an old game with Bobby Orr playing now? The thing you will notive, besides your love of HDTV, is that Orr was such a better skater than EVERYONE else. It feels almost unfair.
The highest compliment you can give Orr is Bobby Orr changed basic ice skating into “hockey skating.” Essentially watching Orr now is like watching a time traveler from our current era who has landed in the 70s. Players over the past 30 years skates somewhat like Bobby Orr…
In a similar way Cale Makar feels like he skates and plays like a player in 2050 will skate and player…a player who grew up after Cale Makar.
And finally…
Andrew Mangiapane needs more ice time…
Nuff said.
Agree or Disagree?
I would love to hear your thoughts..
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