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Showing posts with label Bruins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bruins. Show all posts
Sunday, November 02, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Game 8 - Leafs Host Bruins - Predictions
The Leafs, Senators, and Canadiens will simultaniously be holding a tribute to the fallen soldiers at their respective home games tonight. More info can be found at the NHL's website.
Bruins: The big bad Bruins aren't so big and bad anymore. They lost Boychuk over the summer to a trade to get cap compliant. Most recently Chara has torn his PCL. He is out a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Can he recover from something like that at his age? and his height?
Record: 4-5-0 8Pts, 5 in the ATL, 10th in the East
Point Pace: 73 Points. That would put them well out of the playoffs.
Leading Scorers: Kelly 2-5-7, Krejci 2-5-7, Soderberg 2-4-6
Leafs: The last game the Leafs were suppose to play was postponed until Nov 8th. They were to play the Ottawa Senators. The last game they actually played they took a beating to the New York Islanders. Leafs have been playing alright in their last 5, going 3-1-1 in that span.
Record: 3-3-1 7Pts, 6th in the ATL, 12 in the East
Point Pace: 82 Points. That would put them well out of the playoffs
Leading Scorers: Kessel 4-4-8, Bozak 3-4-7, van Riemsdyk 3-2-5
Mike 0-7: 3-1 Leafs, JVR witht he game winner.
Jeff 0-7: 4-2 Leafs. Kessel gets a hatty with Chara out!
Don't forget to check out our latest Francis Report!
Also Mike's latest article - Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest
Questions for the next Report. Comment here, send us a tweet, a message on The Facebook, or an email to questions@thefrancisreport.ca
Follow @ByrneMGL
Follow @FrancisReport
Bruins: The big bad Bruins aren't so big and bad anymore. They lost Boychuk over the summer to a trade to get cap compliant. Most recently Chara has torn his PCL. He is out a minimum of 4-6 weeks. Can he recover from something like that at his age? and his height?
Record: 4-5-0 8Pts, 5 in the ATL, 10th in the East
Point Pace: 73 Points. That would put them well out of the playoffs.
Leading Scorers: Kelly 2-5-7, Krejci 2-5-7, Soderberg 2-4-6
Leafs: The last game the Leafs were suppose to play was postponed until Nov 8th. They were to play the Ottawa Senators. The last game they actually played they took a beating to the New York Islanders. Leafs have been playing alright in their last 5, going 3-1-1 in that span.
Record: 3-3-1 7Pts, 6th in the ATL, 12 in the East
Point Pace: 82 Points. That would put them well out of the playoffs
Leading Scorers: Kessel 4-4-8, Bozak 3-4-7, van Riemsdyk 3-2-5
Mike 0-7: 3-1 Leafs, JVR witht he game winner.
Jeff 0-7: 4-2 Leafs. Kessel gets a hatty with Chara out!
Don't forget to check out our latest Francis Report!
Also Mike's latest article - Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest
Questions for the next Report. Comment here, send us a tweet, a message on The Facebook, or an email to questions@thefrancisreport.ca
Follow @ByrneMGL
Follow @FrancisReport
Wednesday, May 01, 2013
Round #1: Leafs VS Bruins
9 years, blah blah, who cares at this point. The Leafs are facing the Bruins in the 1st round of the 2013 Stanley cup playoffs. On April 20th, the Leafs beat the Sens 4-1 to clinch a playoff spot.
This was my reaction..
This was my reaction..
Everyone knows the Leafs have had a hard time with the Bruins over the last 40 some games. Also how Kessel seems to turn into a ghost when playing the same Bruins, scoring something like 0 even strength goals in 22 games. Although he does have 3 power play goals in that stretch, ya, I know, no big deal.
Here are the keys to the series that could be a big deal.
Patrice Bergeron:
The best two way forward on this Bruins team could be a huge factor. He ould shut down the Leafs while scoring big time points, or he could be hit on the 1st shift in game 1 and have another concussion. Flip of a coin really.
Tuukka Rask:
Every goalie who wins in the playoffs, does it with better numbers than the regular season. Rask is a great goalie, and in the regular season, is as good as any in the East, maybe in the entire league. One thing that stands out to me tho, is his record in the playoffs. 7-6 with a 2.61 GAA and a 0.910 SV% in the playoffs. Not very good compared to his career regular season stats, 2.20 GAA and a 0.926 SV%.
Don't forget the year (2010) that Rask and the big bad Bruins had a 3-0 series lead vs the Flyers and blew it, losing the series 4-3. Rask let in 15 goals in the last 4 games, including blowing a 3-0 lead in game 7 of that series.
Chara, Redden, Jagr:
Playoff series combine where these 3 players eliminated the Leafs: 0
Some people may think I'm grasping at straws, and hey, maybe I am. But Phil Kessel struggles against a specific team, and why can't other players struggle against specific teams? Who cares if they played the Leafs 10-15 years ago in the playoffs, I'm trying to do whatever I can to give faith to a Nation that hasn't had much to cheer for nearly a decade.
James Reimer:
Please save everything. I'd like nothing more than 4 straight shutouts from you Optimus Reim. We have never seen Reimer in the NHL playoffs. I'm not going to write him off, though he definitely needs to make sure he has the best 4-7 games of his career.
Lupul:
Joffrey Lupul needs to not get hurt or suspended. He has not gone more than 6 games this year without being hurt or suspended, and it's hurt the Leafs in certain ways. Example. He has 11 goals and 18 point in just 16 games played this season. Including a nice goal from beside the net against Boston, during his 1st game back after being suspended 2 games.
Kessel:
Kessel doesn't have to do a single thing this series other than keep trying his hardest. Bruins want to spend all their energy shutting down Kessel, go right ahead. Lupul and Kadri will continue to light the lamp while Julien keeps putting Chara on Kessel. It would be nice to see Kessel get some mad points this series. Maybe all this negative attention from the media will light a fire under his arse and he might score some goals. Who knows.
Saturday, February 02, 2013
Tonight Is The Night
7 games and 33 shots later Phil Kessel has yet to notch a goal yet in this abbreviated season. Considering who the Leafs play tonight, it doesnt look good that he'll get one today either.
The Leafs host the Bruins at the ACC tonight, on CBC, Hockey Night in Canada. I predict that Kessel breaks his goal slump tonight. In fact, I am going on on a limb and saying he gets 2 goals. What better game to score your 1st goal of the season than against the team that you came from.
The Leafs have had a bad season against the Bruins last year, losing all 6 games against them. Boston outscored Toronto 36-10 last season
On a bit of a side note, Marleau is the only player that is on pace to hit at least 50 goals in 48 games. Doubt he will reach it, but you never know!
Sunday, January 06, 2013
Game on!
It's over! The lockout is over! My how quick everyone's attitude has changed in the last 12 hours. Okay, maybe not everyone's, but a lot of people's attitude has changed since the announcement was made.
A 10 year deal is fantastic, but there is a catch. There is an opt out at year 8, available to both the owners and the players. Either side may decline the opt out, but we'll talk about that when that time comes.
First things first. Roberto Luongo is heavily rumoured to be heading to The Leafs. This is an alright idea if the Leafs want to make the playoffs, but a terrible idea if they want to actually contend for a Stanley Cup Championship. We all have seen what Luongo does when he is under pressure.
The NHL willprobably be looking at a 48 game season. Here is what the NHL looked like after 48 games last season.
After the 1st 48 games last year the playoffs were set. In fact only one team manage to sneak in after the 48 game mark and that was the Coyotes. They went on that magical run to the West final on the back of goaltender Mike Smith.
Also through 48 games, this is what Kessel and Lupul's point totals were.
When it is all said and one and the deal it ratified by the ownership and the union, I'll be pumped and ready to watch NHL hockey once again. Along with my son, who at only 10 months, his eyes are glued to the TV when hockey is on, just the way I like it.
A 10 year deal is fantastic, but there is a catch. There is an opt out at year 8, available to both the owners and the players. Either side may decline the opt out, but we'll talk about that when that time comes.
First things first. Roberto Luongo is heavily rumoured to be heading to The Leafs. This is an alright idea if the Leafs want to make the playoffs, but a terrible idea if they want to actually contend for a Stanley Cup Championship. We all have seen what Luongo does when he is under pressure.
The NHL will
NHL sends memo to clubs indicating no camps before Saturday (and may not open until Monday), 48-game season to begin Jan. 19
— Elliotte Friedman (@FriedgeHNIC) January 7, 2013
After the 1st 48 games last year the playoffs were set. In fact only one team manage to sneak in after the 48 game mark and that was the Coyotes. They went on that magical run to the West final on the back of goaltender Mike Smith.
Also through 48 games, this is what Kessel and Lupul's point totals were.
| Player | Goals | Assists | Points |
| Kessel | 26 | 25 | 51 |
| Lupul | 20 | 32 | 52 |
When it is all said and one and the deal it ratified by the ownership and the union, I'll be pumped and ready to watch NHL hockey once again. Along with my son, who at only 10 months, his eyes are glued to the TV when hockey is on, just the way I like it.
Saturday, December 03, 2011
Leafs/Bruins Preview Dec 3rd 2011 - Reimer to Start!
The Leafs are in Boston tonight to play the 4th head to head game of the season against the Bruins. Really, it cant get any worse for the Leafs against a tough Bostons team. The Leafs are 0-3-0 against the Bruins being outscored 19-5 in those 3 games.
The Bruins score quick and often against the Leafs. The Bruins have scored 23% (19 of 81) of their seasons goals against the Leafs in the three games they have played each other this season.
The Leaf's Kessel still leads the NHL in scoring and goals. Lupul is catching up to him, being only 2 points behind for the points lead. If the Leafs top line can have some success tonight against the Bruins, then they can pad their lead in the points race.
The Leafs main focus is playing better defense in front of tonight's starter, Jonas Gustavsson. He has played great the last five games he has started, but looked a bit shaky in the net in the 3rd period of Wednesday night's game.
We can give credit where credit is due. The Leafs played very well against the hottest team in the League, skating stride for stride with the Bruins for the 1st two periods, playing the game the Leafs want to play and the game was much closer than the score indicated.
The Leafs are 4-2-0 in their last 6 games.
The Bruins are 5-0-1 in their last 6 games.
The Leafs are 14-9-2 for 30 points and 2nd in the North-East division
The Bruins are 15-7-1 for 31 points and 1st in the North-East division
It must be noted that Reimer will be back in the lineup tonight.He most likely will get the back up position behind Gustavsson and start on Monday in New York. He will start tonight! Personally I think they should loan him to the Marlies for a few games to get him back in action. It'd be good to see where he is at before tossing him in the lineup for an NHL game.
I got the Leafs breaking out of their slump against the Bruins and beating them 5-2, Kessel leading the way with two goals, Lupul, Phaneuf and Crabb getting the others. Just so I don't have to listen the Bruins fan that will be at my girlfriend's family Christmas Party tomorrow night.
And hey, what ever happened to Lonny Bohonos?
The Bruins score quick and often against the Leafs. The Bruins have scored 23% (19 of 81) of their seasons goals against the Leafs in the three games they have played each other this season.
The Leafs main focus is playing better defense in front of tonight's starter, Jonas Gustavsson. He has played great the last five games he has started, but looked a bit shaky in the net in the 3rd period of Wednesday night's game.
We can give credit where credit is due. The Leafs played very well against the hottest team in the League, skating stride for stride with the Bruins for the 1st two periods, playing the game the Leafs want to play and the game was much closer than the score indicated.
The Leafs are 4-2-0 in their last 6 games.
The Bruins are 5-0-1 in their last 6 games.
The Leafs are 14-9-2 for 30 points and 2nd in the North-East division
The Bruins are 15-7-1 for 31 points and 1st in the North-East division
It must be noted that Reimer will be back in the lineup tonight.
I got the Leafs breaking out of their slump against the Bruins and beating them 5-2, Kessel leading the way with two goals, Lupul, Phaneuf and Crabb getting the others. Just so I don't have to listen the Bruins fan that will be at my girlfriend's family Christmas Party tomorrow night.
And hey, what ever happened to Lonny Bohonos?
Friday, June 17, 2011
Season Ending Recap
The NHL season ended on a positive and negative note this year. Congratulations goes out to Zdeno Chara and hit Boston Bruins on snapping a 39 year Stanley Cup drought! As well, congratulations goes out to Tim Thomas on your Conn Smythe Trophy, well deserved!
The other side of the line is the Vancouver Canucks. 1st of all, I want to congratulate the Canucks on a wonderful run. Setting aside all statistical data, you were in game 7 of a Stanley Cup finals, you overcame one of your toughest obstacles that has haunted you the last two years, the Chicago Blackhawks, and you did all this with key players hurt. That being said there are a few questions that they have to ask themselves next year. I'm not going to mention that 4 letter word starting with R, that took place after game 7.
The Maple Leafs finished the season off on a high note. Finishing higher in the standings than last year, on a near magical run from the All-Star break on. James "Optimus Reim" "Busta Reims" "The Reim-inister of Goaltending" Reimer finished with a 20-10-5 record with a 2.60 GAA and a 0.921 Save%. He also got 3 shutouts. His 1st career shutout coming against Carolina on February 3rd 2011.
The Leafs made a few trades later in the year to acquire some draft picks and some decent talent for the farm. Sending Thomas Kaberle to Boston and receiving C- Joe Colbourne, Boston's 1st round pick and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2012. The BOS 1st round pick turns out to be 30th pick, because Boston won that Stanley Cup. The conditional 2nd round pick is based on Boston making it to the Stanley Cup finals, which they did. Nice to have that extra pick in the draft cupboard.
Also the Leafs traded Chris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers exchange for the Flyers' 1st round and 3rdround draft picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which starts next Friday.
That leaves the Leafs with 3 picks int he top 39. #25 (PHI) #30 (BOS) and #39 (TOR).
Leafs are looking for a top 4 puck moving defenceman, a top line center for Kessel and Lupul. and perhaps someone that can replace Clarke MacArthur if he does not resign.
Leafs need to get Luke Schenn under contract, he is an RFA as of July 1st.
Next up for Toronto and the NHL? Awards show Thursday, June 22nd, Draft June 23rd, July 1st is free agent day.
The other side of the line is the Vancouver Canucks. 1st of all, I want to congratulate the Canucks on a wonderful run. Setting aside all statistical data, you were in game 7 of a Stanley Cup finals, you overcame one of your toughest obstacles that has haunted you the last two years, the Chicago Blackhawks, and you did all this with key players hurt. That being said there are a few questions that they have to ask themselves next year. I'm not going to mention that 4 letter word starting with R, that took place after game 7.
The Maple Leafs finished the season off on a high note. Finishing higher in the standings than last year, on a near magical run from the All-Star break on. James "Optimus Reim" "Busta Reims" "The Reim-inister of Goaltending" Reimer finished with a 20-10-5 record with a 2.60 GAA and a 0.921 Save%. He also got 3 shutouts. His 1st career shutout coming against Carolina on February 3rd 2011.
The Leafs made a few trades later in the year to acquire some draft picks and some decent talent for the farm. Sending Thomas Kaberle to Boston and receiving C- Joe Colbourne, Boston's 1st round pick and a conditional 2nd round pick in 2012. The BOS 1st round pick turns out to be 30th pick, because Boston won that Stanley Cup. The conditional 2nd round pick is based on Boston making it to the Stanley Cup finals, which they did. Nice to have that extra pick in the draft cupboard.
Also the Leafs traded Chris Versteeg to the Philadelphia Flyers exchange for the Flyers' 1st round and 3rdround draft picks in the upcoming NHL Entry Draft, which starts next Friday.
That leaves the Leafs with 3 picks int he top 39. #25 (PHI) #30 (BOS) and #39 (TOR).
Leafs are looking for a top 4 puck moving defenceman, a top line center for Kessel and Lupul. and perhaps someone that can replace Clarke MacArthur if he does not resign.
Leafs need to get Luke Schenn under contract, he is an RFA as of July 1st.
Next up for Toronto and the NHL? Awards show Thursday, June 22nd, Draft June 23rd, July 1st is free agent day.
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