I think Kessel makes a better effort defensively than Ovechkin. I don't think he's an extremely cognizant defensive player, but he tries harder and is better in that regard.
- PhillySportsGuy

I do think Kessel tries, but I wouldn't use any Leaf right now as a comparable -- they're on pace to give up the most shots of any franchise in the last 20 seasons, per Twitter earlier today

One thing we can all agree on:

If you don't put oregano on a cold hoagie, you need to rethink what you call your "morals".
- Giroux_Is_God

Is anyone here a mayo italian hoagie eater?

I do think Kessel tries, but I wouldn't use any Leaf right now as a comparable -- they're on pace to give up the most shots of any franchise in the last 20 seasons, per Twitter earlier today


- AllInForFlyers

I know and its all Reimer's fault

I know and its all Reimer's fault
- PhillySportsGuy

Last night was amazing -- the guy gives up a goal on a 2-on-1, then a breakaway to Patrik Freaking Elias from the blue line in, than a softie. Leafs are down 3-0, he gets yanked.

They lose 3-2...and it's his fault they didn't get at least a point, because of the third one he gave up!

Last night was amazing -- the guy gives up a goal on a 2-on-1, then a breakaway to Patrik Freaking Elias from the blue line in, than a softie. Leafs are down 3-0, he gets yanked.

They lose 3-2...and it's his fault they didn't get at least a point, because of the third one he gave up!



- AllInForFlyers

they would of maid the playoffs if he was a hall of fame caliber goaltender, so it's his fault

I know and its all Reimer's fault
- PhillySportsGuy

Go take it up w/ April

One thing we can all agree on:

If you don't put oregano on a cold hoagie, you need to rethink what you call your "morals".
- Giroux_Is_God

SUB.

Is anyone here a mayo italian hoagie eater?
- PhillySportsGuy

SUB

I bet Backstrom is dragged down by Ovi. I have no evidence to support this claim, but watching the Caps play, Backstrom is not bad defensively.
- PhillySportsGuy

He might be...but you also have to look at the fact that Washington is overall a -5, but that Ovechkin's overall goal differential is +26.

That's why I say you can't just look at the +/-. As bad as he might be defensively, the Capitals still have scored 26 more goals with him on the ice as a team, in all situations, than they have allowed.

SUB
- SchennBros

you're in Philly web-space bro, we use our vernacular here

Is anyone here a mayo italian hoagie eater?
- PhillySportsGuy

Putting mayo on an eyetralian hoagie is incorrect.

Olive oil and oregano and a dash of vinegar will do just fine, thank you very much.

Last night was amazing -- the guy gives up a goal on a 2-on-1, then a breakaway to Patrik Freaking Elias from the blue line in, than a softie. Leafs are down 3-0, he gets yanked.

They lose 3-2...and it's his fault they didn't get at least a point, because of the third one he gave up!



- AllInForFlyers

The Leafs are screwed for the year because their back-up goalie has a .908 save %.

Has nothing to do with the team on pace to give up the most shots against in NHL history.

SUB
- SchennBros

Sub what?

Sub zero? Subpar? Submarine? Subtly?

they would of maid the playoffs if he was a hall of fame caliber goaltender, so it's his fault
- BulliesPhan87

I watch the Leafs fairly consistently, because I love their broadcasts. But even their home guys are running out of ways to sugarcoat how bad they are defensively.

They're interesting, because they can hurt you offensively. They can score.

But they've got guys who just do not think the game well defensively. Some of its youth, and some of its just total lack of defensive awareness.

I don't know how they fix that, exactly, because you run the risk of losing what gives you the advantage over teams by over-correcting what you don't do well.

The Leafs are screwed for the year because their back-up goalie has a .908 save %.

Has nothing to do with the team on pace to give up the most shots against in NHL history.
- Jsaquella

The genius that is Randy Carlyle

When he retires he will be the worst 700+ goal scorer in NHL history.
- PLindbergh31

Guess he'll knock Mike Gartner out of that spot

The genius that is Randy Carlyle
- Tomahawk

Did you see his hissy fit last night?

I watch the Leafs fairly consistently, because I love their broadcasts. But even their home guys are running out of ways to sugarcoat how bad they are defensively.

They're interesting, because they can hurt you offensively. They can score.

But they've got guys who just do not think the game well defensively. Some of its youth, and some of its just total lack of defensive awareness.

I don't know how they fix that, exactly, because you run the risk of losing what gives you the advantage over teams by over-correcting what you don't do well.
- AllInForFlyers

I think Lavi is a perfect fit for that team, and I don't mean it facetiously.

That team seems perfectly constructed for an aggressive, up-on-your-skates kind of gameplan... not the crappy passive defensive zone stance and the constant "just compete harder!" that Carlyle is bringing to the table.

This #AskNeal thing is gold.

https://twitter.com/search?q=%23askneal

The genius that is Randy Carlyle
- Tomahawk

Even if they manage to make the playoffs, they're going to be so run down they'll be roadkill. Their top six forwards are playing 50 minutes a night of late. The 4th line is seeing less ice than Aruba in July.

The Leafs are screwed for the year because their back-up goalie has a .908 save %.

Has nothing to do with the team on pace to give up the most shots against in NHL history.
- Jsaquella

And you know the thing about last night? The Devils aren't even a juggernaut offensively -- they don't make cute plays out there, except when Jagr's got it going, and Jagr has to keep his shifts pretty short, because of his age.

Adam Henrique looked like Wayne Gretzky out there, on a few shifts, against Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly and Cody Franson

you're in Philly web-space bro, we use our vernacular here
- BulliesPhan87

Nupe. Hoagie sounds so stupid... Its sub. And if anyone say Grinder.. OMG.... Like someone calling Soda... POP.

Its a philly thing... Whateve's...

But there is one thing I will call BS on. Anything called a Philly Cheese steak is BS outside Philly. I cant stand when they have "philly" cheesesteaks on the menu out here. Like if you put onions and green peppers with cheese steak-um and a roll its a philly chesse steak...

Sub what?

Sub zero? Subpar? Submarine? Subtly?
- Giroux_Is_God

Italian Sub, Turkey Sub, Tuna Sub.

But even there, there is context.

Howe was +85 and partner McCrimmon was +83. They played about 30-35 minutes a game, every game and the staggering +/- doesn't even reflect the power play.

Then look at the rest of the defensemen that year who played the other 25-30 minutes. Marsh was even and EVERY other D-man on the team (whether regulars, semi-regulars or short-term guys for more than 1-2 games) were minuses.

While a plus-minus number can be deceptive, in that particular case, it told you exactly what you needed to know.
- bmeltzer

Howe-McCrimmon was of the 2 best pairings I ever saw.
The other was Montreal's combo of Larry Robinson and Guy LaPointe

Nupe. Hoagie sounds so stupid... Its sub. And if anyone say Grinder.. OMG.... Like someone calling Soda... POP.

Its a philly thing... Whateve's...

But there is one thing I will call BS on. Anything called a Philly Cheese steak is BS outside Philly. I cant stand when they have "philly" cheesesteaks on the menu out here. Like if you put onions and green peppers with cheese steak-um and a roll its a philly chesse steak...
- SchennBros

hoagie
soda

deal with it