Outshot by a fairly significant margin as well - good to see Forsberg put on a good show.
- Bartacus

In fairness, they were only outshot after they went up 4-1 in the game, despite a bad bounce on the first CBJ goal. But you're right that Forsberg played well, putting up a 0.925 sv%... interesting that both Korpisalo/Forsberg seem to be just fine when the team is actually playing quality hockey in front of them. Despite giving up 40 shots, they limited the high-risk chances, and were strong on the special teams - including 2PPG, 1SHG, and went 4/4 on the PK. They also played the game with only 5D, since both Zub/Sanderson are out of the lineup without LTIR. It was a game they needed to win and they delivered.

Rielly gets a 5-game suspension...
https://www.nhl.com/news/...le-leafs-by-player-safety

Given that it's under 6GP, there's no ability to appeal the decision. Seems about right, all things considered... but I'm sure that won't be the universal opinion.
- khawk

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/to...er-gary-bettman-1.2075922

This would consider it incorrect. Not that I think it'll be reduced but just that there is an appeal possible.

A 5+ game suspension would help Maple Leaf fans experience the same Morgan Reilly level of rage. It would be great fun to watch.
- SensFan25

What rage? It's a 5 game suspension in the middle of the season. Who cares? Toronto media and fans of every other team have blown it so far out of proportion it's not even funny. (frank), make it 10 games. It doesn't matter until it's the playoffs.

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/to...er-gary-bettman-1.2075922

This would consider it incorrect. Not that I think it'll be reduced but just that there is an appeal possible.
- Aaron_85

Well, no legitimate appeal is possible via the department of player safety, where it's not even an option for a suspension of 5 games. The reason is because the effort isn't worth the appeal process, so I have no idea why Rielly or anyone in the Maple Leafs organization would think their case is so important and/or unjust that the NHL commissioner is going to want to get personally involved, micro-mange a closed-book situation, and embarrass his own league's department of safety for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Rielly can write letters to Santa Claus if he wants too... there's literally no chance that Gary Bettman will overturn a 5-game suspension.

Well, no legitimate appeal is possible via the department of player safety, where it's not even an option for a suspension of 5 games. The reason is because the effort isn't worth the appeal process, so I have no idea why Rielly or anyone in the Maple Leafs organization would think their case is so important that the NHL commissioner is going to want to get personally involved, micro-mange a closed-book situation, and embarrass his own league's department of safety for no reason whatsoever.

Rielly can write letters to Santa Claus if he wants too... there's literally no chance that Gary Bettman will overturn a 5-game suspension.
- khawk

I don't think he'll overturn the ruling, but he might shorten it. He did (personally) shorten Spezza's from 6 to 4 because of good behaviour to date, and he may do the same with Rielly. He didn't for Perron, who also had zero history of aggression, so this will be a good test to see if precedent matters here.

Well, no legitimate appeal is possible via the department of player safety, where it's not even an option for a suspension of 5 games. The reason is because the effort isn't worth the appeal process, so I have no idea why Rielly or anyone in the Maple Leafs organization would think their case is so important that the NHL commissioner is going to want to get personally involved, micro-mange a closed-book situation, and embarrass his own league's department of safety for no reason whatsoever.

Rielly can write letters to Santa Claus if he wants too... there's literally no chance that Gary Bettman will overturn a 5-game suspension.
- khawk

If its a policy and an option then its a legitimate appeal.

Likely scenario is the PA is pushing this as they always do. They want to ensure players are exercising all their legitimate rights. Unions usually do this so it isnt used against them as "precedence".

I don't think he'll overturn the ruling, but he might shorten it. He did (personally) shorten Spezza's from 6 to 4 because of good behaviour to date, and he may do the same with Rielly. He didn't for Perron, who also had zero history of aggression, so this will be a good test to see if precedent matters here.
- Bartacus

Right, but those cases involved a 6-game suspension that at least has a built-in process for appeal. And in Spezza's case there was no penalty called on the ice, it was something that happened during the course of play while the other player was already in the process of falling, and it happened shortly after a Leafs player was injured by a dangerous knee-on-knee hit. It wasn't a blind-sided stick infraction to the head that earned a major penalty and game misconduct on the ice, and done well away from the course of play during the last 10 seconds of a game, in direct retribution for something as trivial as an empty net goal.

As I said, he can try if he wants and maybe the union effectively does this on his behalf regardless, but there's really no grey area on this one... no matter how much of a good boy Rielly might be on those days where he's not guilty of a major stick infraction to the head.

Right, but those cases involved a 6-game suspension that at least has a built-in process for appeal. And in Spezza's case there was no penalty called on the ice, it was something that happened during the course of play while the other player was already in the process of falling, and it happened shortly after a Leafs player was injured by a dangerous knee-on-knee hit. It wasn't a blind-sided stick infraction to the head that earned a major penalty and game misconduct on the ice, and done well away from the course of play during the last 10 seconds of a game, in direct retribution for something as trivial as an empty net goal.

As I said, he can try if he wants and maybe the union effectively does this on his behalf regardless, but there's really no grey area on this one... no matter how much of a good boy Rielly might be on those days where he's not guilty of a major stick infraction to the head.
- khawk

1. This is built in. It isn't like the leafs got special treatment to appeal to Bettman. It's the built in, legitimate appeal process for less than 6 games. I don't know why you don't like to call it as such. It's just league rules.

2.
https://youtu.be/QW1pqSHm...?si=tNmwRu0wl_yAM4Al&t=17 I timestamped it for you to watch it as it's not a blind side hit. Grieg saw it coming and went to protect himself. Good for him, if he didn't though it would have hit his shoulder and likely that's it.

3. Deserving of a suspension but you can call it whatever you want but again it's nothing in the grand scheme of things. I don't really know why fans of other teams are acting like it's the dirtiest play ever seen or somehow intentional to injure him.

1. This is built in. It isn't like the leafs got special treatment to appeal to Bettman. It's the built in, legitimate appeal process for less than 6 games. I don't know why you don't like to call it as such. It's just league rules.

2.
https://youtu.be/QW1pqSHm...?si=tNmwRu0wl_yAM4Al&t=17 I timestamped it for you to watch it as it's not a blind side hit. Grieg saw it coming and went to protect himself. Good for him, if he didn't though it would have hit his shoulder and likely that's it.

3. Deserving of a suspension but you can call it whatever you want but again it's nothing in the grand scheme of things. I don't really know why fans of other teams are acting like it's the dirtiest play ever seen or somehow intentional to injure him.
- Aaron_85

1. He’s saying it’s allowed but pointless.

2. Doesn’t matter if he started at his feet, he followed through to his head.

3. I haven’t seen (rational) fans act like it’s the dirtiest hit ever, but it was dirty and he had smarter options. I (and you) can’t speak to his intent, but in the end it looks like he just spazzed and lost control.

I don’t get why leaf fans feel picked on because their player got suspended cross-checking a guy after he scored a goal in the final seconds of a game.

1. This is built in. It isn't like the leafs got special treatment to appeal to Bettman. It's the built in, legitimate appeal process for less than 6 games. I don't know why you don't like to call it as such. It's just league rules.

2.
https://youtu.be/QW1pqSHm...?si=tNmwRu0wl_yAM4Al&t=17 I timestamped it for you to watch it as it's not a blind side hit. Grieg saw it coming and went to protect himself. Good for him, if he didn't though it would have hit his shoulder and likely that's it.

3. Deserving of a suspension but you can call it whatever you want but again it's nothing in the grand scheme of things. I don't really know why fans of other teams are acting like it's the dirtiest play ever seen or somehow intentional to injure him.
- Aaron_85

Leafs feel picked on because they are. The entire league and most fans are saying: "just shut up!" The league leaked the suspension decision through ESPN even before telling the Leafs of their final decision outcome. It was a purposeful message and a deep signal of disrespect.

Think about it. Why is everybody disrespecting the Leafs?

Perhaps Ridley Greig used a slap shot to make a statement about how a large part of the world really feels about the Leafs.

Make no mistake Greig clearly intended to send a message through his act of disrespect. It is very satisfying for many of us when you confirm that you experienced and felt the disrespect.

I am sorry we will not have the opportunity to disrespect you in the playoffs this year.

anyhow...moving on from the crime of the century.

What did Mark Kastelilc do at the end of the last game?
The boys on the radio discussed the 4th line way too much this morning.

1. This is built in. It isn't like the leafs got special treatment to appeal to Bettman. It's the built in, legitimate appeal process for less than 6 games. I don't know why you don't like to call it as such. It's just league rules.

2.
https://youtu.be/QW1pqSHm...?si=tNmwRu0wl_yAM4Al&t=17 I timestamped it for you to watch it as it's not a blind side hit. Grieg saw it coming and went to protect himself. Good for him, if he didn't though it would have hit his shoulder and likely that's it.

3. Deserving of a suspension but you can call it whatever you want but again it's nothing in the grand scheme of things. I don't really know why fans of other teams are acting like it's the dirtiest play ever seen or somehow intentional to injure him.
- Aaron_85

I take your point on 3, but at the same tine, is what Greig did the most unsportsmanlike behavior we've seen in a long time? Because similar to what you said about the hit, people seem to be acting that way,

anyhow...moving on from the crime of the century.

What did Mark Kastelilc do at the end of the last game?
The boys on the radio discussed the 4th line way too much this morning.
- Octavarium

As I understand it, Kastellic went back on the ice at the end of the game (with fans still in the building) in order to do some shooting drills. Sounds a little obsessive, compulsive.

But the only opinion that matters is Jacques Martin and he loves guys who work and practice hard. Martin probably thought several other guys should take up post game practice time.

As I understand it, Kastellic went back on the ice at the end of the game (with fans still in the building) in order to do some shooting drills. Sounds a little obsessive, compulsive.

But the only opinion that matters is Jacques Martin and he loves guys who work and practice hard. Martin probably thought several other guys should take up post game practice time.
- spatso

It's an odd choice to go back on the ice to get extra workout time due to a low ice time. Generally players will ride the bike instead.
It seems that there is a "consistency of effort" issue with Kastelic having high/low effort games. The fact that Kastelic wants to be better is a positive.

It's an odd choice to go back on the ice to get extra workout time due to a low ice time. Generally players will ride the bike instead.
It seems that there is a "consistency of effort" issue with Kastelic having high/low effort games. The fact that Kastelic wants to be better is a positive.
- SensFan25

The only thing I can think of is he did to Jacque Martin. And, it probably did leave a positive impression with the coach.

Kastelic is great when he plays mean. Lately he's been playing like he's 5'11 and soft. Not sure if he's injured or just cautious for some reason. He can't be in the NHL with his skillset unless he starts playing hard/mean.

someone needs to tell the sens there is a game tonight....

Korps is having a game... sheeeeeeesh. That McTavish goal... even the Anaheim announcers didn't understand how that ended up in the net.

Edit - I'm not much for superstitions, but any time the goalies get the fire helmet, they play like garbage. Stop giving the damn helmet to the goalies! lol

Apparently Mr. Hyde is back in the building. A stinker.

The kept the Ducks to no shots for most of the 2nd and then boom....

someone needs to tell the sens there is a game tonight....
- Mithos

What an absolute dud of a hockey game.
And the weather.
Just.
Everyone should have skipped it, the teams could have agreed on a 3 point game and flipped a coin on who got the winner extra point. Saved us all the trouble of sitting through that nonsense. I had 100 level seats and wish I hadn't.

I take your point on 3, but at the same tine, is what Greig did the most unsportsmanlike behavior we've seen in a long time? Because similar to what you said about the hit, people seem to be acting that way,
- david22

Agreed. Scrum worthy, maybe a fight worthy next game or something. I understand the player perspective. Any team would be a little miffed at the action but let's not act like he killed someone's mother or stomped on someone's ankle like Matt Cooke.

Not gonna lie, I find it funny when this poop gets people all riled up. In reality it's a real small thing.

What an absolute dud of a hockey game.
And the weather.
Just.
Everyone should have skipped it, the teams could have agreed on a 3 point game and flipped a coin on who got the winner extra point. Saved us all the trouble of sitting through that nonsense. I had 100 level seats and wish I hadn't.
- Octavarium

Agreed... this game belongs back in the ~25GP era. I've often defended Korpisalo, but there were 1 or 2 that maybe shouldn't have gotten through him. Unfortunately, that still would have resulted in a 3-1 loss. That's what happens when you screw around for 40 minutes at home against the 3rd worst team in the NHL, and then try to come back from a 4-0 deficit with a 19-9 shot advantage in the 3rd period. They pretty clearly took ANA lightly, and lost an important game as a result. Lots of teachable moments, but no doubt frustrating for the veterans. You could really hear it in Giroux's voice in the post-game interviews.

What an absolute dud of a hockey game.
And the weather.
Just.
Everyone should have skipped it, the teams could have agreed on a 3 point game and flipped a coin on who got the winner extra point. Saved us all the trouble of sitting through that nonsense. I had 100 level seats and wish I hadn't.
- Octavarium

Damn man, that's rough.

I would like it if they trade Tarasenko, Giroux 25% salary retained (if return is AWESOME), Kubalik, anyone else and shut down Stutzle, Sanderson, or anyone that has injuries and bring up some younger guys. The games would be more exciting and fun to watch, play hard + learn under Jacques

Damn man, that's rough.

I would like it if they trade Tarasenko, Giroux 25% salary retained (if return is AWESOME), Kubalik, anyone else and shut down Stutzle, Sanderson, or anyone that has injuries and bring up some younger guys. The games would be more exciting and fun to watch, play hard + learn under Jacques
- AlfieisKing

Giroux is not going anywhere. He is hugely popular with the fanbase, a local boy on a team friendly contract, has a NO MOVE clause and is a veteran who provides the perfect example to his younger teammates for 200 foot play and consistency of effort.

While yesterday was a crappy game by the team, we have certainly watched a few over the past few years. From an organizational assessment perspective, I'd have to think that such crappy games provide excellent insights into the consistency of effort and character for the players. Looking forward to Staios and Poulin putting their stamp on this team and I expect 1 or more "core" players to be moved.

Giroux is not going anywhere. He is hugely popular with the fanbase, a local boy on a team friendly contract, has a NO MOVE clause and is a veteran who provides the perfect example to his younger teammates for 200 foot play and consistency of effort.

While yesterday was a crappy game by the team, we have certainly watched a few over the past few years. From an organizational assessment perspective, I'd have to think that such crappy games provide excellent insights into the consistency of effort and character for the players. Looking forward to Staios and Poulin putting their stamp on this team and I expect 1 or more "core" players to be moved.
- SensFan25

Last night was bad.

This team kind of reminds me of where Florida was a few years ago. They'd drafted some big players (Barkov, Ekblad, Huberdeau) but couldn't put it together.

But this may be wishful thinking on my part because Florida managed to turn things around, and that's obviously what we want Ottawa to do.