First in the conference VS the worst in the conference.

I would not be betting on a win for your team. The Rangers have a great goaltender, and once they get a lead, its very hard for a team that is struggling offensively to come back.
- Doppleganger

The Leafs are badly due for a win. The Rangers are overachieving imo. They got off to a great start last season too.

Maybe the Leafs lose, but I have a feeling they might pull one out. They're capable of a lot more than they're showing.

phoenix leafs
- Flyers1234

Boy would that ever bankrupt the NHL.

They're capable of a lot more than they're showing.
- RogerRoeper

- jeffyjones

So 30th is what they should be for the rest of the year? It's over?

So 30th is what they should be for the rest of the year? It's over?
- RogerRoeper

If not 30th, they should finish very close to 30th.

If not 30th, they should finish very close to 30th.
- jeffyjones

I think there is going to be some type of backlash that is so severe ownership may have to step in and offer some options.

The Leafs are badly due for a win. The Rangers are overachieving imo. They got off to a great start last season too.

Maybe the Leafs lose, but I have a feeling they might pull one out. They're capable of a lot more than they're showing.
- RogerRoeper

Caught the last few minutes of the leaf game, and heard the same thing in toronto that I heard in Montreal..............the home team being booed.

dodge-ball did not do the trick................and it looks like Wilson is running out of tricks.

Caught the last few minutes of the leaf game, and heard the same thing in toronto that I heard in Montreal..............the home team being booed.

dodge-ball did not do the trick................and it looks like Wilson is running out of tricks.
- Doppleganger

this is good moves will be made, because we sure arent drafting are way outta this problem in the next 2 years. Well maybe after the 1st round.

this is good moves will be made, because we sure arent drafting are way outta this problem in the next 2 years. Well maybe after the 1st round.
- sniper12

The Leafs played a good game and encountered a goalie who is very hot. If the Leaf start had not been so bad we would probably say Ranger goaltending stole them a game. On the other hand, you will not win may games giving up four goals a game.

I do not think there is an easy way out of this hole. Based on past years you need 92 points to make the playoffs. Effectively, over a full season, a team needs to play at 10 points above .500 to get to the 92 point total. So, the Leafs need to get 91 points over the remainder of the season. A very steep, if not impossible climb.

Let's face it, I picked the Leafs to make the playoffs at #7, but time is running out. They have lost so many points they'll need to overachieve the rest of the season to make it.

They could not afford a start like this to make it. They desperately need that first win to get their confidence up.

Let's face it, I picked the Leafs to make the playoffs at #7, but time is running out. They have lost so many points they'll need to overachieve the rest of the season to make it.

They could not afford a start like this to make it. They desperately need that first win to get their confidence up.
- RogerRoeper

if they go 0 & 10, pack it in.

if they go 0 & 10, pack it in.
- Trans4md Thundrcat

AND IF THEY WIN GAME 10

Let's face it, I picked the Leafs to make the playoffs at #7, but time is running out. They have lost so many points they'll need to overachieve the rest of the season to make it.

They could not afford a start like this to make it. They desperately need that first win to get their confidence up.
- RogerRoeper

And their prospects of picking up points on their up coming road trip do not look good.

AND IF THEY WIN GAME 10
- spatso

then they'll come out on top of the League

And their prospects of picking up points on their up coming road trip do not look good.
- Doppleganger

Rumour has it Raycroft is starting on Saturday so maybe their prospects just picked-up

And their prospects of picking up points on their up coming road trip do not look good.
- Doppleganger

I feel good about Saturday night. They will get some of the pressure off their back by being on the road.

I feel good about Saturday night. They will get some of the pressure off their back by being on the road.
- spatso

but JMac is still in net... I count it as a loss pre-emptively

but JMac is still in net... I count it as a loss pre-emptively
- Feeling Glucky?

Based on last year, MacDonald is no worse than 2nd on the Leafs... and Gusty is still unproven

Based on last year, MacDonald is no worse than 2nd on the Leafs... and Gusty is still unproven
- keslover17

Gusty has looked very good in net, MacD hasn't.

There's a reason they felt they could keep Jonas on the big team, and left MacD in the minors. He's our 3rd stringer, and he's showing it.

Gusty has looked very good in net, MacD hasn't.

There's a reason they felt they could keep Jonas on the big team, and left MacD in the minors. He's our 3rd stringer, and he's showing it.
- Feeling Glucky?

I think Blowhard is going to have to do a deal for a goalie. Even a veteran backup like Clemmenson or Ault that will bring some maturity into the lineup. One young goalie who can be developed and a vet who can provide support for the team. Perhaps it is time to move Toskala.

They played well in the first period and deserved a better result for the first 20 minutes.

They played well in the first period and deserved a better result for the first 20 minutes.
- spatso

Half of that period on the penalty kill though..

Listening to the Leaf post game on 640 last night was interesting. It appears that the supporters of the Kessel trade appear to have almost entirely disappeared. Generally the best language now used seems to characterize the deal as "unfortunate." This does not mean that Kessel is not a good player and may contribute in the future. Rather everyone is beginning to understand just how big a price Brian Blowhard gave in order to do the deal.

Listening to the Leaf post game on 640 last night was interesting. It appears that the supporters of the Kessel trade appear to have almost entirely disappeared. Generally the best language now used seems to characterize the deal as "unfortunate." This does not mean that Kessel is not a good player and may contribute in the future. Rather everyone is beginning to understand just how big a price Brian Blowhard gave in order to do the deal.
- spatso

People are changing their tunes because of this terrible start. It's not really about "Seeing The Light", everyone should have known this was a high risk move.

I still think the move can work out ok. I think the Kessel deal is now overshadowing some of Burke's bigger mistakes.

People are changing their tunes because of this terrible start. It's not really about "Seeing The Light", everyone should have known this was a high risk move.

I still think the move can work out ok. I think the Kessel deal is now overshadowing some of Burke's bigger mistakes.
- RogerRoeper

It's far too early to decide who "wins" the trade. First of all Kessel has to play some hockey, secondly the draft order has to be made, third the player(s) the Bruins pick has to turn out equal to or better than Kessel.

That's a lot that has to happen before anyone judges the trade. People just look at him not playing at all now and us as dead last in the league as trading Hall, a first and a second round pick for a guy who isn't even playing. Which is how it looks now but not necessarily how it will look come the draft in June.

Besides, people also forget the Kessel trade wasn't just for this year...it was for the next five years as well. Burke didn't anticipate finishing this low (and IMO we won't finish dead last) but regardless there is no way to know that who we pick would be of Kessel's caliber and even if he is if he could help this team win in the next two years. He could need another year of junior and then still not be ready for the NHL or even if he is it might take him a year or two of playing in the NHL to be effective. Kessel is ready to play now and will only get better (theoretically) as he enters his prime.

Kessel was a move to help us this year, yes, but it was also a move to help us in the next three, four and five years as well. Personally I wouldn't have made the deal if I was in the GM's seat but it's done now. All we can do is hope that it won't be a horrible move in retrospect in four or five years.