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
Showing posts with label JVR. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JVR. Show all posts
Saturday, October 25, 2014
Monday, October 13, 2014
Breathe A Sigh Of Relief
A lot of things happened last night when the Leafs strolled into Madison Square Gardens. James Reimer got the start. He crawled out from the dungeon of the Air Canada Center and put on a sparkling display of goal tending excellence, until he head his head taken off by Ranger forward Dominic Moore. You can breathe a sigh of relief though, because apparently, he is fine.
Something else that happened last night, Jake Gardiner was scratched. Really? They just signed this kid on the off season to a 5 year $20.25 million contract. But you can breathe a sigh of relief, because according to Randy Carlyle, Jake "drew the shortest straw". What's the chances of drawing the shortest straw two games in a row? Although, one could make a case that Jake Gardiner was holding the Leafs back all this time. The person making that case would be a fool, and be wrong. There are people out there saying that though.
Phil's line showed up. In fact, the entire top line for the Leafs combined for 7 points. Which means I personally can breathe a sigh of relief, because if I heard one more comment about how fat and lazy Kessel is, I think I'd strangle a Habs fan.
Finally, Leafs Nation can breathe a sigh of relief, because the Leafs picked up their first win. Reimer was great, Kessel's line was great, One of the big things that really stood out to me was how Percy played. This kid is a rookie defense man and has points in all three games so far. This has never happened in the Leafs history. I'm hoping that he can maintain this level of play all season.
Today is podcast day! Mike and I are looking for questions for the podcast. Feel free to send us your question and we will see about getting them in the podcast. For now just put your question in the comment section below, or you can send me the question through Facebook or twitter.
Watch for our prediction post tomorrow when the Leafs host the Avs.
Follow @FrancisReport
Something else that happened last night, Jake Gardiner was scratched. Really? They just signed this kid on the off season to a 5 year $20.25 million contract. But you can breathe a sigh of relief, because according to Randy Carlyle, Jake "drew the shortest straw". What's the chances of drawing the shortest straw two games in a row? Although, one could make a case that Jake Gardiner was holding the Leafs back all this time. The person making that case would be a fool, and be wrong. There are people out there saying that though.
Phil's line showed up. In fact, the entire top line for the Leafs combined for 7 points. Which means I personally can breathe a sigh of relief, because if I heard one more comment about how fat and lazy Kessel is, I think I'd strangle a Habs fan.
Finally, Leafs Nation can breathe a sigh of relief, because the Leafs picked up their first win. Reimer was great, Kessel's line was great, One of the big things that really stood out to me was how Percy played. This kid is a rookie defense man and has points in all three games so far. This has never happened in the Leafs history. I'm hoping that he can maintain this level of play all season.
Today is podcast day! Mike and I are looking for questions for the podcast. Feel free to send us your question and we will see about getting them in the podcast. For now just put your question in the comment section below, or you can send me the question through Facebook or twitter.
Watch for our prediction post tomorrow when the Leafs host the Avs.
Follow @FrancisReport
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Game 3: Rangers Host Leafs - Predictions
As you already know, the Leafs have started the season out 0-2. I'm not so much angry at this, as I am at people that are completely over reacting to this.
Basically PDO refers to a team's "Puck Luck" If you are above 1.000, you are experiencing good luck. If you are below 1.000 it's pointing out that you are probably experiencing bad luck.
In the case for the Leafs, their team PDO is 0.973. They are experiencing a bit of bad luck so far this season. Because we are only a couple games into the season, we can specific events that have led to this bad luck coming from the Leafs. A few missed open nets, the game winning goal that went off Percy's foot in the last minute of the first game.
What I am saying is that the Leafs are not great, but they are not as bad as how they are playing right now. Well, after taking a look at last night's possession stats for the Leafs, they played pretty terrible, but there is a bright side! They play again today! A chance for redemption.
Rangers: New York is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets. They have split their first 2 games and sit 9th in the East.
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Nash 3-1-4, Kreider 1-1-2, St Louis 0-2-2
Leafs: Toronto got a beat down by the Penguins last night at the ACC. They have lost both games and sit 15th in the East. See Mike's report from last night's game.
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Bozak 2-0-2, Rielly 0-2-2, Lupul 0-2-2
Mike (0-2): Leafs win 3-2 with JVR getting a pair of goals.
Jeff (0-2): Leafs win 2-1 and it's JVR with the game winning goal!
PDO - The sum of on-ice save percentage and on-ice shooting percentage at even strength. League average PDO is 100. Sums considerably higher or lower (+/-2.5) tend to regress towards 100 over large samples for both teams and players. Named after the internet alias of the man who conceived the stat. Could be considered an acronym for "Percentage Determined Outcomes".The above can be found at TheLeafsNation
Basically PDO refers to a team's "Puck Luck" If you are above 1.000, you are experiencing good luck. If you are below 1.000 it's pointing out that you are probably experiencing bad luck.
In the case for the Leafs, their team PDO is 0.973. They are experiencing a bit of bad luck so far this season. Because we are only a couple games into the season, we can specific events that have led to this bad luck coming from the Leafs. A few missed open nets, the game winning goal that went off Percy's foot in the last minute of the first game.
What I am saying is that the Leafs are not great, but they are not as bad as how they are playing right now. Well, after taking a look at last night's possession stats for the Leafs, they played pretty terrible, but there is a bright side! They play again today! A chance for redemption.
Rangers: New York is coming off a 5-2 loss to the Blue Jackets. They have split their first 2 games and sit 9th in the East.
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Nash 3-1-4, Kreider 1-1-2, St Louis 0-2-2
Leafs: Toronto got a beat down by the Penguins last night at the ACC. They have lost both games and sit 15th in the East. See Mike's report from last night's game.
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Bozak 2-0-2, Rielly 0-2-2, Lupul 0-2-2
Mike (0-2): Leafs win 3-2 with JVR getting a pair of goals.
Jeff (0-2): Leafs win 2-1 and it's JVR with the game winning goal!
Wednesday, October 08, 2014
Game 1: Leaf Host Habs - Predictions
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages. Hockey is back. Tonight we have the Toronto Maple Leafs playing host to the Montreal Canadiens at the Air Canada Center.
This year we hope to predict each game on game day. Mike and I will 100% accurately predict the score of every Leafs game this season. (Psst, Mike, don't tell them about the time machine we have, not sure why we only went to mid April instead of June, we could have seen who won The Cup and made tons of money. but O-M-G did you see who won the Superbowl?! Oh poor Payton Manning)
"But Jeff, if you predict different scores, how can you be 100% correct" Please, check your logic at the door. This is The NHL, The Leafs, and The Francis Report, there is no such thing as this "Logic" thing you brought up.
Here we go.
Mike: Leafs win 3-2 with Josh Leivo scoring the 1st goal.
Jeff: Leafs win 3-2 in OT with Brandon Kozun scoring the 1st goal and Dion Phaneuf scoring the OT winner.
We will keep track of our record all season (of course we will both be 82-0) and there might be a prize for the one who gets the most right. Although, we will have to split the prize, because we will both be perfect in predicting all 82 games.
See you all Saturday when the Leafs host the Penguins.
This year we hope to predict each game on game day. Mike and I will 100% accurately predict the score of every Leafs game this season. (Psst, Mike, don't tell them about the time machine we have, not sure why we only went to mid April instead of June, we could have seen who won The Cup and made tons of money. but O-M-G did you see who won the Superbowl?! Oh poor Payton Manning)
"But Jeff, if you predict different scores, how can you be 100% correct" Please, check your logic at the door. This is The NHL, The Leafs, and The Francis Report, there is no such thing as this "Logic" thing you brought up.
Here we go.
Mike: Leafs win 3-2 with Josh Leivo scoring the 1st goal.
Jeff: Leafs win 3-2 in OT with Brandon Kozun scoring the 1st goal and Dion Phaneuf scoring the OT winner.
We will keep track of our record all season (of course we will both be 82-0) and there might be a prize for the one who gets the most right. Although, we will have to split the prize, because we will both be perfect in predicting all 82 games.
See you all Saturday when the Leafs host the Penguins.
Thursday, February 06, 2014
Ice Hockey - Men's Olympic Team
The other day, I made had a Facebook status about who I wanted to win gold for Men's Ice Hockey at the Olympics.
I was surprised that one of my friends asked me to explain myself. So Here I am. An attempt to try and explain my reasoning for the above statement.
For me, for as long as I can remember, it has always been about The Toronto Maple Leafs. Watching games, browsing stats, talking about the Leafs with friends and family, and collecting memorabilia. SO my reasoning may not come as a surprise to you.
1. Sidney Crosby. Is he great for hockey? Ya, he sure is. Find me a girl on twitter that isn't in love with this guy. For me? Awful! There isn't a guy in hockey I dislike more! I can't cheer for this whiner, who cries to the ref after every shift.
2. P.K. Subban. He is also great for hockey. He has a swagger about him that not a lot of other players have. He has a great shot, and can skate really well, as well as his great 1st pass. For me? How can I, the biggest die hard of the Leafs, cheer for a Norris Trophy winning Defenseman from the arch rival Montreal Canadiens? Not happening!
3. Carey Price. He is what everyone classifies as a franchise goalie. A guy you can build a team around. He may not have a ton of playoff experience, but he makes the game look effortless. Again, how can I cheer for the starting goalie of the Montreal Canadiens? Makes the game look effortless? He really just looks like he doesn't want to be there. He doesn't look like he has that killer instinct that you need as a goalie. He doesn't seem like a good pressure goalie.
Ok, so if NOT Canada, than WHO?
Team USA has 2 of the Leafs top players on their roster. This makes the obvious choice on who I would be cheering for. They are Kessel and JVR. These two guys are lights out in Toronto. I want them to carry some success back to Toronto, and push it to the playoffs. For me, it would be great, if JVR set up Kessel, on the "Golden Goal" in overtime, against Carey Price. I would be super happy about that. If I can't have that, then yes, Go Russia!
I have watched Canada win 2 of the last 3 Olympic gold medals. If this was a 60 year drought, different story. But they won on home soil just 4 years ago. Isn't that enough? Let's not be greedy. In fact, that "Golden Goal" heard around the world was the moment I decided, that I will be cheering for Team USA next time.... Stupid Sidney Crosby, ruining everything for me...
With all this said, would I be upset if Canada won? Nope. I'd be happy with that. But for me, when it comes to International Men's Ice Hockey, its the name on the back, not the crest on the front. All other sports/events, Go! Canada Go!
I was surprised that one of my friends asked me to explain myself. So Here I am. An attempt to try and explain my reasoning for the above statement.
For me, for as long as I can remember, it has always been about The Toronto Maple Leafs. Watching games, browsing stats, talking about the Leafs with friends and family, and collecting memorabilia. SO my reasoning may not come as a surprise to you.
Why NOT Canada:
1. Sidney Crosby. Is he great for hockey? Ya, he sure is. Find me a girl on twitter that isn't in love with this guy. For me? Awful! There isn't a guy in hockey I dislike more! I can't cheer for this whiner, who cries to the ref after every shift.
2. P.K. Subban. He is also great for hockey. He has a swagger about him that not a lot of other players have. He has a great shot, and can skate really well, as well as his great 1st pass. For me? How can I, the biggest die hard of the Leafs, cheer for a Norris Trophy winning Defenseman from the arch rival Montreal Canadiens? Not happening!
3. Carey Price. He is what everyone classifies as a franchise goalie. A guy you can build a team around. He may not have a ton of playoff experience, but he makes the game look effortless. Again, how can I cheer for the starting goalie of the Montreal Canadiens? Makes the game look effortless? He really just looks like he doesn't want to be there. He doesn't look like he has that killer instinct that you need as a goalie. He doesn't seem like a good pressure goalie.
Ok, so if NOT Canada, than WHO?
Team USA has 2 of the Leafs top players on their roster. This makes the obvious choice on who I would be cheering for. They are Kessel and JVR. These two guys are lights out in Toronto. I want them to carry some success back to Toronto, and push it to the playoffs. For me, it would be great, if JVR set up Kessel, on the "Golden Goal" in overtime, against Carey Price. I would be super happy about that. If I can't have that, then yes, Go Russia!
I have watched Canada win 2 of the last 3 Olympic gold medals. If this was a 60 year drought, different story. But they won on home soil just 4 years ago. Isn't that enough? Let's not be greedy. In fact, that "Golden Goal" heard around the world was the moment I decided, that I will be cheering for Team USA next time.... Stupid Sidney Crosby, ruining everything for me...
With all this said, would I be upset if Canada won? Nope. I'd be happy with that. But for me, when it comes to International Men's Ice Hockey, its the name on the back, not the crest on the front. All other sports/events, Go! Canada Go!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)