Leafs @ Thrashers - Oct. 14th

[The Insider]

The Leafs head out to Thrasher country on Friday and play the offensively gifted Thrashers. After being shut out you can expect the Thrash are going to come out strong and if the Leafs can weather an early storm and take over the game by building an early lead, we could very well keep the Thrashers from lighting us up. Word out of TO says Telly may play, to save Eddie the Eagle for Saturday vs the Habs, but don't be surprised to see Eddie go back to back since our next game isn't until next Thursday against the Canes. Be interesting to see if they bench Czerkawski again, but I think that was only cause of who we were playing(i.e. Philly) but he is being criticized for being "soft" defensively, which is funny cause that's usually a term used for our defence...go figure.

On the injury front Sundin has been cleared to workout which is good news since our captain could be back sooner then later(let's keep our fingers crossed) And as you might imagine Mats will be out again for tommorow. The rest of the lineup is relatively healthy though, so barring any more spider bites we should have our near full lineup in tommorow.

[bluemeanie]

I think Telly should get the start tonight. We'll need Eddie in net for the 4-point game against the habs. The Leafs D really needs to start concentrating on their positional play. Both Atlanta and Montreal are very fast teams and the Leafs have been caught up ice too many times already. If Quinn's not going to put guys like Carlo out there providing speed, then the 'Twin Pilons of Uselessness' Belak and Berg have to start using their size. Atlanta, had what, 34 shots on net against the Habs the other night? Expect more tonight... they're looking for goals. If the Leafs can get a lead, then they'll have to do whatever it takes to keep it. I don't expect a high scoring game tonight, unless the Leafs fall asleep out there.

Leafs 3 Atlanta 1

[Max Power]

I think Telly should get the start tonight. We'll need Eddie in net for the 4-point game against the habs. The Leafs D really needs to start concentrating on their positional play. Both Atlanta and Montreal are very fast teams and the Leafs have been caught up ice too many times already. If Quinn's not going to put guys like Carlo out there providing speed, then the 'Twin Pilons of Uselessness' Belak and Berg have to start using their size. Atlanta, had what, 34 shots on net against the Habs the other night? Expect more tonight... they're looking for goals. If the Leafs can get a lead, then they'll have to do whatever it takes to keep it. I don't expect a high scoring game tonight, unless the Leafs fall asleep out there.

Leafs 3 Atlanta 1

Yah especially since he's obviously hot with the big first W. I think TO will take this one? All Quinn has to do is make sure his guys take the body to players like Kov, Hossa and Savard right from the start and keep your top defensive pairing out for the top line. This is probably Quinns usual game plan but it will work well against Atlanta
5 - 2 leafs

[bluemeanie]

Line shakeup at Leafs practice:

Allison, Tucker, O'Neill
Stajan, Steen, Wilm
Ponikarovsky, Antropov, Wellwood
Domi, Lindros, Kilger

Subbing on the third line - Czerkawski and Perrott

Quinn mentioned that he wanted to insert Perrott in there somewhere when asked about Czerkawski's chances of geting back in tonight. Who comes out then?

Wellwood + Stajan = good... c'mon Quinn!?!

[leaferfan87]

Wellwood should be playing with Stajan and Steen, but I suppose having a guy like Wellwood is supposed to keep Nik and Alexei jumping.

Since when does Tucker play the middle?

Leafs gotta look out, Thrashers are a quick team and a talented one and will burn you. Savard has started at quite a pace this season and now that he has Kovalchuk back that can spell t-r-o-u-b-l-e. We need Telly or Eddie to be at their best and the "Twin Towers of Freaking Leaf fans out" Berg and Belak better have their lightbulbs on tonight. Fortunately, the Leafs should also be able to get their fair share of goals as well.

[Newfie John]

Leafs are up 4-0. Allison has broken out of his shell and is having a monster game, as is that whole line as a matter of fact. Quinn has liked this line though it hasn't produced, his persistance came through here.

Allison- 1 goal 2 assists.
Tucker- 1 goal, 2 assists
Mccabe- 3 assists
O'niell- 2 goals and 1 assist.

I THINK thats the stats thus far.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Close enough. I heard them say on Mojo that Tucker had 4 points, so I'll guess he has 3 helpers.

[leaferfan87]

6-0 Toronto. Lindros has scored again...um...make that 6-1 due to Aki's usual problems.

[Newfie John]

Allison has 4 points tonight. 1 goal 3 assists. Monster game from him. His goal was a thing of beauty. Top shelf where mama hides the cookies.

Our one blemish on the night so far is their goal which is to the fault of none other then Aki Berg. In each game he's played so far, at least one goal has been his fault in each game. I think we should send him to the ECHL.. seriously.

Lindros scores again and continues his streak..

Wellwood gets another goal too, gotta love that.

[leaferfan87]

Atlanta's starting some stuff right now. That's what happens in a blowout!!

The Thrashers make me want to puke!!

[leaferfan87]

8-1

O'Neill with the trick!!

[bluemeanie]

Oh my. For those of you that weren't able to watch that game... I'm so sorry. 9-1, multiple point nights, fights, blood... everything except for the SO. Oh well... tomorrow. =]

[scorpionn]

Good game for the Leafs... felt bad for the Thrashers goalie.

So, how many games for Sutton and Boulton? Exelby tried to get Lindros to fight, good for Eric trying not to go at it completely, he doesn't need another head injury.

[Amoroq]

The last half of the 3rd period I swear I was time warped back to the old Spectrum and was watching the Broad Street Bullies. Hopefullly there aren't any serious injuries with that 4 point game VS the Habs on Saturday.

[leaferfan87]

Kilger seemed to be the only casualty.

[Madferret]

Good job Leafs. Welcome back to the thick of NE division title race. You guys were due..

[leaferfan87]

Apparently Bob Hartley had some choice words for the Leafs during his press conference. He accused the Leafs of whining about what Atlanta was doing late in the game. Apparently JFJ came out and got into a verbal shouting match with Hartley.

You are a joke, Bob. Your team is being ripped apart so you send guys to do the dirty work to try to injure the Leaf players. Don't accuse the Leafs of whining try to figure out why your team cannot beat anyone who isn't called the Washington Capitals!

[swflyers25]

You are a joke, Bob. Your team is being ripped apart so you send guys to do the dirty work to try to injure the Leaf players. Don't accuse the Leafs of whining try to figure out why your team cannot beat anyone who isn't called the Washington Capitals!

Not to start anything, but you guys have done the exact same thing in years past and I know because we have given your team some big losses (7-1, 7-2, 6-1).

Pot...kettle...black.

[THE HACK]

Apparently Bob Hartley had some choice words for the Leafs during his press conference. He accused the Leafs of whining about what Atlanta was doing late in the game. Apparently JFJ came out and got into a verbal shouting match with Hartley.

You are a joke, Bob. Your team is being ripped apart so you send guys to do the dirty work to try to injure the Leaf players. Don't accuse the Leafs of whining try to figure out why your team cannot beat anyone who isn't called the Washington Capitals!

Hartleys comments were pretty stupid and you can be sure if it were the Leafs handing out cheapshots to his Atlanta players that he'd be complaining too!I'm just glad the Leafs didn't give out any cheapshots in retaliation or go after any Atlanta players.The next meeting between these two is on Nov.19th and it should be a rough one!Good game by the O'Neill-Allison-Tucker line with 4 points each and McCabe continues his points tally by adding another 4 assists tonight!:)

Cheers

[Amoroq]

Not to start anything, but you guys have done the exact same thing in years past and I know because we have given your team some big losses (7-1, 7-2, 6-1).

Pot...kettle...black.Any team that does what Atlanta did tonight is bush league and there is no place for it in todays game.

[TimmyTabasco]

Any team that does what Atlanta did tonight is bush league and there is no place for it in todays game.

Your right, and what they did was wrong.

However, look at it this way..

Atlanta was playing their 4th string netminder, and Toronto just didn't let up with the goals

After the 6th..maybe 7th goal..shouldn't have the team..laid back just a tad?

Its obvious the goalie was not NHL calibre..and the Thrashers had no one of NHL calibre to relieve him

As I said..what they did wasn't right.

[Amoroq]

Your right, and what they did was wrong.

However, look at it this way..

Atlanta was playing their 4th string netminder, and Toronto just didn't let up with the goals

After the 6th..maybe 7th goal..shouldn't have the team..laid back just a tad?

Its obvious the goalie was not NHL calibre..and the Thrashers had no one of NHL calibre to relieve him

As I said..what they did wasn't right.Perhaps the Leafs shouldn't have ran up the score, but another thing to consider is the Leafs are a maligned(sp) group of players and have been beat up by most everyone in the press and by fans.

Furthermore part 1: If you have noticed in the new NHL not many leads are safe.

Furthermore part 2: Thrashers 7 - Capitols 3, Thrashers 8 Capitols 1. Perhaps Atlanta missed the same meeting as the Leafs on running up the score. ;)

[The Insider]

I didn't see the game thanks to a combination of things, but it is nice to see the Leafs destroy a team and do it in such convincing fashion. O'Neill, Allison, McCabe and Tucker all made fantasy teams happy everywhere with big nights for all, and Eddie got the much waited for win #1 and only allowed 1 goal on 21 shots.

As for the fighting, what can you really say? The Thrashers tried to start a brawl to get some satisfaction out of the game, but what they've essentially done is set up for an angry Leaf team next time they play. The hit on Tucker was brutal...21 stitches is the result and I can bet Sutton will be having a visit with Mr. Belak, Mr. Domi or Mr. Perrot next time they meet, which is not what you want to see.

As for the running up the score, it was 6-1 at the time, which isn't that bad, but the Thrashers decided it was bad enough and their goonery led to another 3 PP goals for the Leafs to make it an official blowout. I guess Atlanta isn't as good as they thought they'd be only scoring 1 goal against decent competition, and another 15 against bottom feeders like Washington... well not like, just Washington:thumb:

Allison please don't fight anymore, Lindros keep your head up as well. I get scared when I hear incident, Lindros, Allison all in the same sentance :eek:

[bluemeanie]

Furthermore part 1: If you have noticed in the new NHL not many leads are safe.

Furthermore part 2: Thrashers 7 - Capitols 3, Thrashers 8 Capitols 1. Perhaps Atlanta missed the same meeting as the Leafs on running up the score. ;)


exactly. Besides, with such a tight eastern conf, a playoff spot just might come down to goal differencial. "laid back on the goal scoring" ..pftt. What league is this again?

[bluemeanie]

Allison please don't fight anymore, Lindros keep your head up as well. I get scared when I hear incident, Lindros, Allison all in the same sentance :eek:

Allison's an all right guy! I don't think he really wanted to fight, but he jumped in for his line mate as all good teammates do. Besides, he was getting thrown around by (who was it? Sutton?) when I think all he really wanted to do was hold him back. He stood his ground though. (well, atleast he stood it when he was standing) =]

I think the Leafs showed good restraint, and didn?t let them selves get caught up in any dumb penalties or possible suspensions.

[Newfie John]

Your right, and what they did was wrong.

However, look at it this way..

Atlanta was playing their 4th string netminder, and Toronto just didn't let up with the goals

After the 6th..maybe 7th goal..shouldn't have the team..laid back just a tad?

Its obvious the goalie was not NHL calibre..and the Thrashers had no one of NHL calibre to relieve him

As I said..what they did wasn't right.

You've got to be kidding me. Lay back a bit? Hell no. Not in this league, if it were a bunch of 10 year olds then I'd understand, but this is the NHL. As blue said, a playoff spot or a division lead could come down to goal differential. Another valid point is that the game was 6-1 when the fighting started. How did the leafs retaliate? The way you're supposed to. Kill them on the scoresheet. Which they did 9-1. Atta way Leafs.

Out PP really woke up last night going 7-14 on the PP. That's great and I think this night may have brought us close to the top PP in the league. Our offense has been amazing since the season started and tonight that just continued. Our D is what has to improve and if we can get rid of Aki Berg(the cause for our only blemish on the night) I'd be satisfied with our D with Eddie in the crease and our great offense. I can't believe we're scoring at will here, without Mats Sundin.

I might as well show you some individual stats for players, this is great to see.

Jason Allison- 5 GP - 7 PTS
Eric Lindros - 5 GP - 5 PTS
Bryan Mccabe - 5 GP - 9 PTS
Darcy Tucker - 5 GP - 6 PTS
Tomas Kaberle - 5 GP - 7 PTS
Jeff O'neill - 3 GP- 6 PTS (4 goals)

Our big guns are certainly firing.

Lets take a look at the kids.

Matt Stajan - 5 GP - 3 PTS
Alex Steen - 5 GP - 4 PTS
Kyle Wellwood - 4 GP - 3 PTS

Get ready Montreal, here we come.

[The Insider]

I'm still in shock over the 9 goals... as Leaf fans over the past few years, those types of scores were only reserved for teams in the West who were playing bottom feeders. But I gotta imagine teams in the East have to be starting to get nervous about the way this team is coming together, O'Neill has been a machine in his 3 games this season, Lindros is averaging a point a game, Tucker is 1/10 of the way to his goal of 30 goals this year in 5 games, and Allison is getting his scoring touch back. Now if we could only fix the defense :doh:

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Not to start anything, but you guys have done the exact same thing in years past and I know because we have given your team some big losses (7-1, 7-2, 6-1).

Pot...kettle...black.

Leaf players have smashed opposing players heads into the boards in blowout games? I'll admit the Leafs are a chippy bunch, and have started their fair share of sh*t over the past few years, but none of it has occured in those blowouts against Philly.

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Allison please don't fight anymore, Lindros keep your head up as well. I get scared when I hear incident, Lindros, Allison all in the same sentance :eek:

I don't think we'll be seeing Allison fight anymore. The only reason he went after Sutton last night was because a few years ago he delievered a knee-on-knee to Jason. So I guess he had a personal score to settle, and with what Sutton did to Tucker he had the perfect chance to go drop the gloves.

[bluemeanie]

Leaf players have smashed opposing players heads into the boards in blowout games? I'll admit the Leafs are a chippy bunch, and have started their fair share of sh*t over the past few years, but none of it has occured in those blowouts against Philly.

There's nothing unusual for a team that's losing by such a wide margin to start some fights - it's part of the game. But there's a fine line between fighting enforcers and trying to decapitate the opposing team's stars. Besides, Flyer fans should be the last fans to point their finger on this issue... it'll take at least another ten years before they shake the Broadstreet image. =]

[The Insider]

I don't think we'll be seeing Allison fight anymore. The only reason he went after Sutton last night was because a few years ago he delievered a knee-on-knee to Jason. So I guess he had a personal score to settle, and with what Sutton did to Tucker he had the perfect chance to go drop the gloves.

Yeah, except he got caught up with deVries and from what I saw, it wasn't pretty. Don't we have enough fierce rivalries: Ottawa, Montreal, Jersey, Philly, Detroit, Buffalo... now the Thrashers want to get in the game? It must be Marian Hossa's fault :wave:

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Yeah, except he got caught up with deVries and from what I saw, it wasn't pretty. Don't we have enough fierce rivalries: Ottawa, Montreal, Jersey, Philly, Detroit, Buffalo... now the Thrashers want to get in the game? It must be Marian Hossa's fault :wave:

Well he went after Sutton, but that ass deVries had to step in:curse:

I agree. Lets all blame Hossa:thumb:

[Madferret]

Do you think Belak & Tucker chirping at the bench when it was 6-1 had anything to do with what went down last night? Or what about Kilger trying to kill Mr. 4th String Goalie? The game was dirty on both ends but no doubt that Atlanta took it to the next level and that should be dealt with accordingly.

[Newfie John]

Belak used to play for Hartley, here's what he had to say.

Hartley made that last comment as he exited the podium and likely was surprised to see Leafs general manager John Ferguson was listening from the back of the room.

"That's bull (bleep) Bob," Ferguson said as they passed.

Wade Belak, a former Hartley pupil in Hershey when he was Colorado Avalanche property, echoed the charge that Hartley was capable of sending his his players out on head-hunting assignments.

"You be up 5-0 and he'd do that," Belak said. "I feel sorry for their players. They're expected to do that."

[Leafs_Fa_Life]

Sutton will be the only person suspended.

[swflyers25]

Leaf players have smashed opposing players heads into the boards in blowout games? I'll admit the Leafs are a chippy bunch, and have started their fair share of sh*t over the past few years, but none of it has occured in those blowouts against Philly.

Well, in Game 5 in 03-04 playoffs, Tucker blatantly ran Vlad Malakhov long after he didn't have the puck and just smashed him into the boards. It gave him a concussion.

I'm sorry, but not many people are feeling too bad for Darcy or Tie. Karma's a stinker, ain't it? :nod:

[leaferfan87]

Belak used to play for Hartley, here's what he had to say.

Hartley made that last comment as he exited the podium and likely was surprised to see Leafs general manager John Ferguson was listening from the back of the room.

"That's bull (bleep) Bob," Ferguson said as they passed.

So Hartley condones this type of stuff? Oh great...

[Newfie John]

Well, in Game 5 in 03-04 playoffs, Tucker blatantly ran Vlad Malakhov long after he didn't have the puck and just smashed him into the boards. It gave him a concussion.

I'm sorry, but not many people are feeling too bad for Darcy or Tie. Karma's a stinker, ain't it? :nod:

So the hit was clean, but he didn't have the puck. In other words Darcy should have been called on Interference?

Shame on Darcy, interference. Tut tut.

This doesn't even compare swf, not by a long shot.

[TimmyTabasco]

Which they did 9-1. Atta way Leafs.

Atta way Leafs? Respect goes a long way in the league, and does go both ways. Lighting up a team with a 3rd/4th string backup..and gloating about it..:cry:


Get ready Montreal, here we come.

Oh, no worries..Montreal is ready..and not afraid. You guys beat a team with an ahl backup netminder.:thumb: :nod:

[TimmyTabasco]

I'm still in shock over the 9 goals... as Leaf fans over the past few years, those types of scores were only reserved for teams in the West who were playing bottom feeders. But I gotta imagine teams in the East have to be starting to get nervous about the way this team is coming together, O'Neill has been a machine in his 3 games this season, Lindros is averaging a point a game, Tucker is 1/10 of the way to his goal of 30 goals this year in 5 games, and Allison is getting his scoring touch back. Now if we could only fix the defense :doh:

I don't mean to be rude, but as I said to John..check out the opposition goaltender

9 goals on him, is equivalent to 5 on an NHL goaltender :nod: :thumb:

[Newfie John]

Atta way Leafs? Respect goes a long way in the league, and does go both ways. Lighting up a team with a 3rd/4th string backup..and gloating about it..:cry:

As you said, it goes both ways. We retaliated in the nature that you're supposed to, on the scoreboard. Thats where it really hurts. You can't blame this on their goaltender anyway. Defence was non existant. 2 on 1 goals, 3 on 1 goals, O'neill allowed to walk out in front with no abuse. The D was non existant.


Oh, no worries..Montreal is ready..and not afraid. You guys beat a team with an ahl backup netminder.:thumb: :nod:

AHL starter actually. In your estimation, 9 goals against him = 5 on a regular goalie. Well Theo hasn't been great this season so if we can put up 5 or 6 on him we should get the win. Like I said before, you could hardly blame the high score on the goaltender last night. Atlanta's D sucked. How does Montreal do against this pitiful D? A whopping 2 goals. Leafs get 9.

[TimmyTabasco]

AHL starter actually. In your estimation, 9 goals against him = 5 on a regular goalie. Well Theo hasn't been great this season so if we can put up 5 or 6 on him we should get the win. Like I said before, you could hardly blame the high score on the goaltender last night. Atlanta's D sucked. How does Montreal do against this pitiful D? A whopping 2 goals. Leafs get 9.

Perhaps..the defense played better against Montreal? :thumb: :nod:

Montreal played a really good defensive game against them. Remember, they were known for offense..before the last two games

[Newfie John]

Perhaps..the defense played better against Montreal? :thumb: :nod:

Montreal played a really good defensive game against them. Remember, they were known for offense..before the last two games

Who Atlanta? They were playing Washington in their first 2 games.