I wonder how MacLean coaches around this? So much of Karlsson's play is spontaneous, improvisational and contrary to what is hockey predictable. I am assuming as teams move to try and shut him down it will create time and space for everyone else.

He certainly looks like he is playing at a higher level than last year. And, not just a bit higher. The season is early. But it looks like he has taken his play to a whole new zone.
- spatso

Were you at the game last night? Looked like a LOT of empty seats.

Were you at the game last night? Looked like a LOT of empty seats.
- Doppleganger

Decided at the last minute not to go. It is a two hour drive and we get too much sun and wind earlier in the day. Paid $37 for my tickets. Judging from the crowd I could not have given them away.

Decided at the last minute not to go. It is a two hour drive and we get too much sun and wind earlier in the day. Paid $37 for my tickets. Judging from the crowd I could not have given them away.
- spatso

Heard you could buy Season tickets (24 games) for $246.00.

$10.25 a game, not bad.

Once again Karlsson showed why he is the current Norris trophey winner. Ovechkin still can't get past Karlsson with the puck.

Twice Karlsson stripped Ovechkin of the puck last night and turned the play back up ice, leaving Ovechkin circling in the Senators zone shaking his head, wondering "why can't I get past this guy time and time again??".

The third time Ovechkin tried to get past Karlsson, Eric turned his inside out while knocking the puck off his stick, sending Ovechkin crashing to the ice and sliding uncontrollably into the goal post.

Karlsson also drew two penalties last night with his offensive prowess, including drawing a clearly frustrated Ovechkin into a slashing penalty as Karlsson was pulling away from him on an offensive rush, after he created a turnover in the netraul zone.

And to top it off Karlsson controlled the play and beautifully set up the GWG.

All in all a typical night one would expect from a Norris trophy winner.

Once again Karlsson showed why he is the current Norris trophey winner. Ovechkin still can't get past Karlsson with the puck.

Twice Karlsson stripped Ovechkin of the puck last night and turned the play back up ice, leaving Ovechkin circling in the Senators zone shaking his head, wondering "why can't I get past this guy time and time again??".

The third time Ovechkin tried to get past Karlsson, Eric turned his inside out while knocking the puck off his stick, sending Ovechkin crashing to the ice and sliding uncontrollably into the goal post.

Karlsson also drew two penalties last night with his offensive prowess, including drawing a clearly frustrated Ovechkin into a slashing penalty as Karlsson was pulling away from him on an offensive rush, after he created a turnover in the netraul zone.

And to top it off Karlsson controlled the play and beautifully set up the GWG.

All in all a typical night one would expect from a Norris trophy winner.
- Doppleganger

but remember all that "skill" and great stuff hge does means nothing....because hes only a +5 five this year, best on the team, and was only +16 last year, on one of the worst GAA teams in the league, i say trade him right now for a fourth round if were lucky

but remember all that "skill" and great stuff hge does means nothing....because hes only a +5 five this year, best on the team, and was only +16 last year, on one of the worst GAA teams in the league, i say trade him right now for a fourth round if were lucky
- Andrew_Worth75

Some posters here claimed he could not crack the leafs top four d-men, so there may be so little interest in him that there may not any takers.

Perhaps they should bury him down in Binghamton, and then buy him out in the summer.

Some posters here claimed he could not crack the leafs top four d-men, so there may be so little interest in him that there may not any takers.

Perhaps they should bury him down in Binghamton, and then buy him out in the summer.
- Doppleganger

Karlsson's play on the winning goal was very special because of its simplicity. He brings the puck over the blue line, he moves down the wall, he moves back out towards the line and he lays the puck perfectly unto Gonchar who is in great position in the middle of the offensive zone. The part of the play that is so important is how patiently Karlsson played it and how he drew the Washington penalty killers toward him.

Everyone looks at the play and says that is the way everyone should do it. Lots of players can do it in practice. But, not many are able to execute that smoothly under the intense pressure of game conditions. Under pressure most players speed up and increase the intensity of their game. Only the exceptionally talented are able to slow it down and control the precision of the attack.

Karlsson's play on the winning goal was very special because of its simplicity. He brings the puck over the blue line, he moves down the wall, he moves back out towards the line and he lays the puck perfectly unto Gonchar who is in great position in the middle of the offensive zone. The part of the play that is so important is how patiently Karlsson played it and how he drew the Washington penalty killers toward him.

Everyone looks at the play and says that is the way everyone should do it. Lots of players can do it in practice. But, not many are able to execute that smoothly under the intense pressure of game conditions. Under pressure most players speed up and increase the intensity of their game. Only the exceptionally talented are able to slow it down and control the precision of the attack.
- spatso

He controlled the pace of play, time and time again during the entire game, when he was on the ice, especially after he pick-pocketed Alex Ovechkin numerous times.

He controlled the pace of play, time and time again during the entire game, when he was on the ice, especially after he pick-pocketed Alex Ovechkin numerous times.
- Doppleganger

But, Prock says it never happened.

But, Prock says it never happened.
- spatso

If it's not documented in the stats package, then it never happened.

Once again Karlsson showed why he is the current Norris trophey winner. Ovechkin still can't get past Karlsson with the puck.

Twice Karlsson stripped Ovechkin of the puck last night and turned the play back up ice, leaving Ovechkin circling in the Senators zone shaking his head, wondering "why can't I get past this guy time and time again??".

The third time Ovechkin tried to get past Karlsson, Eric turned his inside out while knocking the puck off his stick, sending Ovechkin crashing to the ice and sliding uncontrollably into the goal post.

Karlsson also drew two penalties last night with his offensive prowess, including drawing a clearly frustrated Ovechkin into a slashing penalty as Karlsson was pulling away from him on an offensive rush, after he created a turnover in the netraul zone.

And to top it off Karlsson controlled the play and beautifully set up the GWG.

All in all a typical night one would expect from a Norris trophy winner.
- Doppleganger

Ovechkin can't get by anybody right now.

How can you let some comments like that bother you
you guys are still trying to prove him wrong.

How can you let some comments like that bother you
you guys are still trying to prove him wrong.
- senstroll

But, maybe he was right. Perhaps Karlsson can't play defense and every time Ovechkin comes down the ice maybe, he goes around Karlsson and scores.

We need to be patient and wait for Prock's explanation to come true. At some point, Ovechkin will beat the kid, we just need to believe in Prock's vision of reality.

But, maybe he was right. Perhaps Karlsson can't play defense and every time Ovechkin comes down the ice maybe, he goes around Karlsson and scores.

We need to be patient and wait for Prock's explanation to come true. At some point, Ovechkin will beat the kid, we just need to believe in Prock's vision of reality.
- spatso

After all, we all know that just by reading the stats package, some people can tell you exactly how a player fared in a game.................no need to watch the game, the replays and highlight packages.

But, maybe he was right. Perhaps Karlsson can't play defense and every time Ovechkin comes down the ice maybe, he goes around Karlsson and scores.

We need to be patient and wait for Prock's explanation to come true. At some point, Ovechkin will beat the kid, we just need to believe in Prock's vision of reality.
- spatso

Ovechkin is half the player he was 3 years ago
Either he doesnt care or the book is out on him, and its not just Karlsson who read it.

Ovechkin is half the player he was 3 years ago
Either he doesnt care or the book is out on him, and its not just Karlsson who read it.
- senstroll

I agree, Karlsson read it last year, and has read it time and time again.

I agree, Karlsson read it last year, and has read it time and time again.
- Doppleganger

I thought Karlsson wrote it?

I thought Karlsson wrote it?
- sens rock

Perhaps, because after that game in December of 2011, where Karlsson stripped Ovechkin of the puck time and time again, he probably did.

Ovechkin is half the player he was 3 years ago
Either he doesnt care or the book is out on him, and its not just Karlsson who read it.
- senstroll

And, so it appears for Kessel as well. I am a fan of Kessel's but, I think like Ovechkin, he is just pushing too hard.

And, so it appears for Kessel as well. I am a fan of Kessel's but, I think like Ovechkin, he is just pushing too hard.
- spatso

so kessel coming off a career year isnt half the player he was 3 years ago cause of 6 games?

so kessel coming off a career year isnt half the player he was 3 years ago cause of 6 games?
- sens rock

I dont even know what to say to spatso anymore...I understand criticizing the leafs, I will be the first to call out Kessel and the trade, Iam even for trading him at this point.... but thats a stupid comment, his hatrid is starting to show in every comment on the leafs.
If you have watched the games this season, Kessel has been very good.

I dont even know what to say to spatso anymore...I understand criticizing the leafs, I will be the first to call out Kessel and the trade, Iam even for trading him at this point.... but thats a stupid comment, his hatrid is starting to show in every comment on the leafs.
If you have watched the games this season, Kessel has been very good.
- senstroll

not too often a perennial 30 goal scorer goes 0 for 27 to start the season. But his current play mirrors his January and February play in other years. He will start producing in march when its too late.

HAhahaha.

You guys are tools.

And, so it appears for Kessel as well. I am a fan of Kessel's but, I think like Ovechkin, he is just pushing too hard.
- spatso

oh yeah, totally the same thing.

How do you even try to justify calling yourself a Leafs fan, when you make blatantly biased and stupid comments like this?

not too often a perennial 30 goal scorer goes 0 for 27 to start the season. But his current play mirrors his January and February play in other years. He will start producing in march when its too late.
- sens rock

from what i know of kessel he is streaky, like most goal scorers, he will go 6-7 games with nothin g then score a ton. leafs are winning, so maybe the game plan is working, maybe (i havent seen a leafs game so i dont knowe) other teams are keying on him allowing others to score, and leafs to win........either way im sure he will end up with hios comparable stats.


ps
OV hasnt looked good in years....rumours, no sources or evidence suggest he was juicing before, and stopped, he doesnt look engaged or even skilled at this point, he looks very very average