The Francis Report - Ep12 - 12 Days of Leafsmas

Latest episode of The Francis Report is out! Mike and I write our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas.  Talk about if the Leafs are for real this time, about The Big Ice chat, and what the Leafs should do to shed some salary.

A Chance to Thrive for #45

Early in to the 2014/15 season it was looking like the Leafs would be experiencing another season with a goalie controversy on their hands. As we move into the second quarter of the season it appears Bernier is ready to claim the net. 

Initially , when Dave Nonis made the trade for Bernier last offseason, I was very much bewildered by the move and totally against it, granted, I have always been a huge fan of James Reimer, especially following the lockout shortened season where he dragged the Leafs into the playoffs and single handedly took them to game 7 with the Bruins. 

  The Bernier deal seemed, at the time like a move that was made to address an area the Leafs had no need to address, especially when defense was (and continues to be) a glaring area of need for this team. As soon as the trade was made it was believed Bernier was finally going to be given the chance tp be a number one goalie, an opportunity the entire league felt he deserved. 

  At first it appeared as though Randy Carlyle was going to stick to the 1a, 1b system with the two net minders. Perhaps this philosophy is what created the controversy in the first place, the whole narrative could've been avoided if Carlyle had just named Bernier the number one. Although Carlyle  always seemed more comfortable to use Bernier on a nightly basis. As the season progressed #45 was earning a majority of the starts, ending up with 55 games played, a number that likely would have been higher if not for a late season groin injury. Considering how the Leafs ended last season, it would only seem natural Bernier would be able to come in to this season and be named the outright number one. However, an offseason that saw a 2 year extension for James Reimer, more confusing quotes from the head coachwould lead to more confusion surrounding the Toronto net.

Bernier began the season with a (1-3-0 ) allowing 10 goals in 3 losses, many of which were shaky, making the netminder look very human, especially compared to last season. The lacklustre start combined with what was a solid start for Reimer, had many questioning if Bernier would seize the opportunity and take over the net in Toronto. However, if there is one thing Carlyle should get credit for, continued faith in Bernier appears to be paying off. Recently, Bernier has been given complete control of his destiny and is proving equal to the task. One thing is clear about Jonathan Bernier, when he is on, he is dynamite and can steal you a few games. The one thing Leaf nation need to see from him is consitency. In the last 5 games Bernier is 4-0-1 and has looked solid in each of the starts. We haven't seen Reimer in net since  November 18th against the Preds.

Bernier is set to make his 7th conescutive start tonight, as the Leafs take on the Devils. It appears as if he is ready to claim sole posession of the number one spot on the depth chart. No matter what happens throughout the rest of this season the Leafs will have a crucial decision to make at the end of the season. There is no doubt then when he is playing at the level we all know he is capable of, Bernier is a top 10 goalie in the NHL. The Leafs have a big decision to make at the conclusion of this season; do they go all in on Bernier and sign him to a contract worthy of a number one goalie? or do they dangle him at the deadline and try to get maximum return, the latter would make little to no sense, as Nonis tried for so long to secure the netminder. As long as Bernier keeps up his play of late, I see no reason why the Leafs should not pay him the contract he deserves and allow Toronto to finally have a bonifed number one goalie, not only for this season, but for years to come.

By the numbers;

Jonathan Bernier, G,  Toronto Maple Leafs        17 GP       9W, 5L, 3OTL 2.62GAA, .917 SV%

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The Francis Report - Episode 10 - Contest Contest Contest!

The latest episode of The Francis Report is OUT! We launch our 1st contest! Details are below.





Contest details: Make sure you follow us on twitter, Facebook and SoundCloud.  Send us a tweet, email, Facebook message, SoundCloud comment with #TheFrancisReport to be entered into the contest.
You get 1 entry for each social media platform you message us on with #TheFrancisReport.  Example: 1 comment on Facebook, 1 tweet on Twitter, 1 comment on SoundCloud would get you 3 entries into the contest.
Bonus Entries: You get a bonus entry if you get a new follower to Tweet/Comment us #TheFrancisReport, mentioning your name.

Prize:

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The Francis Report Episode 9 - We Salute You

Episode 9 of the Francis Report podcast is available on Soundcloud!




Latest articles:
Jeff Francis - Crosby VS Ovechkin
Mike Byrne - I Wish All The Leafs Were As Fat As Phil
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I wish all of the Leafs were as fat as Phil

Phil Kessel leads the entire NHL in 5 on 5 scoring, is a perennial 30 goal scorer, is on pace this season to eclipse 100 points and hasn't missed a game in over 3 seasons. In other words, Phil Kessel is incredibly good at his job, yet the Toronto media continues to paint a negative picture around arguably one of the best, most consistent players in the NHL.

  Phil Kessel has been with the Toronto Maple Leafs for six glorious seasons now , in each season he has seen an increase in point production and over all effectiveness in his game, not to mention he elevates the play of those around him (Mainly, Tyler Bozak) along with the point production Kessel possesses one of the most unique, deadly wrist shots in the NHL. So, all of this sounds great and as a fan base we love Phil Kessel for all of the fantastic things he does right? Wrong.

  Throughout his time with the Leafs Phil Kessel has had to put up with an unfair amount of BS from the Toronto media. Granted , being the hockey Mecca that Toronto is, any player coming to play got the blue and white should expect to be more heavily scrutinized than smaller NHL markets. Now, some players will eventually flee the spotlight for more money and ridiculous contracts in Florida (See Dave Bolland) however, through all the garbage the media has put Phil through, he decided to sign an 8 year contract extension to remain a Leaf until the 2021-22 season.

  Most recently Phil has taken heat for his post game remarks (or lack there of) following the teams dismal performance against the Buffalo Sabres. The media approached him for comments on the game and he simply replied "Get away from me" , this has caused commotion all week within the sports media circle, and given the media yet another chance to dump on Kessel. God forbid a player doesn't want to talk to you after a 6-2 loss to one of the worst teams in the league, the media is quick to jump on the winger for his lack of leadership, to me his response to the media said more about his passion and feelings about the game than any 30 second post game scrum with quotes on compete level and winning one on one battles would have.

  Perhaps due to the lack of success Toronto has had over the years we just feel we don't deserve to have an elite player on the team, or are sadly uncomfortable accepting it. When it comes to Kessel you can either listen to the media, who love to throw hissy fits every time he neglects to give an interview,mother they get to continue to tell you how he lacks leadership, doesn't care enough about his job to skate in the summer and is overweight and out of shape, or, you can sit back, enjoy the fact that the Leafs have one of the top players in the league, and continue to enjoy watching him improve each season and wire that disgusting wrist shot into the opposing teams net.

By the numbers;

Phil Kessel RW, Toronto Maple Leafs 382 GP, 167G, 188A, 355Pts

Episode 6 - Voodoo Magic

The newest episode of The Francis Report is out!

Our Website! www.TheFrancisReport.ca

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Game 9 - Leafs Host Sabres - Predictions

Leafs are not looking good.  After a 4-1 loss to the Bruins Saturday, it seems like the world is caving in around them.  Half the people are calling for the Leafs to Fire Carlyle.  Another 2/3 wants the Leafs to trade Phaneuf and Kadri.  The other 1/3 wants to see Kessel run out of town.  I do not see the Leafs doing much on the trade front.  Carlyle is probably the next to go.  But does it matter?

The Leafs fire Randy Carlyle.  Coach "B" comes in. Then what? What happens if this roster isn't good enough. You have to think another playoff miss would be the end of Nonis.

Buffalo's Record: 2-7-0, 8th in the ATL, 15th in the East
Leading Scorers: Stafford 0-4-4, Ennis 3-0-3, Girgensons 2-1-3
Leaf's Record: 3-4-1, 7th in the ATL, 14th in the East
Leading Scorers: Kessel 4-4-8, Bozak 3-5-8, van Riemsdyk 3-2-5

Mike (0-8): 4-2 Sabres - 3rd jersey toss of the season!
Jeff (0-8): 3-2 Sabres - Leafs continues to lose.  This will be loss 2 in a series of 5 straight losses.  Once the Leafs lose to the Coyotes next week, Carlyle will be FIRED.
Jessie (0-0) 3-1 Leafs - Rielly with the game winner 

Check out Mike's latest article - Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest
The latest episode of The Francis Report - Solidarity & Strength
Our Website links to all of your stuff! - www.thefrancisreport.ca



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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


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Toronto, Where NHL Stars Never Shine Their Brightest

The Toronto Maple Leafs are very good at something…. Yes you read that correctly.

The Leafs have had some talented players over the years, names like Sundin, Belfour, Joseph, Kessel and yes, even Phaneuf.  All of these names have things in common; Elite players in the NHL at a point in their career, key contributors to their edition(s) of the Leafs team, all have faced criticism during their time with the Leafs, and lastly, all fell victim to poor Leafs managerial decisions, leading to hindered production.

Whether these players were brought in at a time when the Leafs were non contenders, or brought in without any assistance to help maximize their potential.  At least for as long as I’ve been alive the Leafs have never been known as a team that has stellar defense, hence the reason Toronto is often referred to as a “goalie graveyard” as Leaf fans we were so lucky to be able to have guys like Cujo and Ed Belfour between the pipes, it’s just too bad that Leafs management couldn’t provide them any help with the defense that skated out each night in front of them, you’ve got to feel for a goalie that has to take the net defensive units featuring the likes of ; Aki Berg (00-04,05-06), Jyrki Lumme (01-03), Róbert Švehla (02-03), Ken Klee (03-06)

Whether it’s questioning their leadership, or fitness level, the Leafs have been lucky enough to have the services of both Mats Sundin and Phil Kessel. Sundin, who is now a HOF faced much criticism in regards to his leadership, and production, the latter being completely ridiculous as Sundin finished as one of the greatest Leafs of all time;

Regular Season TOR:  1,346GP (564G, 785A, 1,349 Pts.)   Playoffs: 91GP (38G, 44A, 82 Pts.)

The first ridiculous story conjured up by the Toronto media in the 2014-15 season called into question the fitness level of Phil Kessel, a story that I am convinced was created just because the media was bored and had nothing better to do. Kessel, a perennial 30 goal scorer with the Leafs ( he has also scored two goals in the time that I have been writing this article), is arguably the best winger the Leafs have ever had in their history, yet the fans continue to come down on him because he only skated 10 times this offseason, and has no “compete” , hard to believe a player who is so fat, lazy and doesn’t compete has 8% more 5v5 points than any other player in the entire league over the last 3 seasons. Not to mention he hasn’t missed a game in 4 straight seasons, just thought I’d throw that little nugget in there.

Regular Season TOR:  GP364 (156G, 177A, 333pts) Playoffs: GP7 (4G, 2A, 7Pts.)

Dion Phaneuf is the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS best defenseman …. The best defenseman for the TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS is Dion Phaneuf.  We all have heard the bit about how Phaneuf plays a ridiculous amount of time against every team’s best line, which is a valid reason why he may look not so hot some nights, however, in his time with the Leafs his defensive partners have left a lot to be desired. Carl Gunnarsson, who was Phaneuf’s main partner until being traded this past offseason, was yet another player miscast as this teams 2nd defenseman when he is much better suited to be playing in a 3^rd or 4^th defenseman role. Long story short, Phaneuf is not an elite defenseman in the NHL anymore; however he is a solid 2^nd or 3^rd, who has been miscast and set up for failure by the management at MLSE.

Don’t get me wrong, the players have to be accountable for their on ice play, however, when management fails to upgrade certain positions or add complimentary pieces to the most talented players on the team’s roster; they are only setting them up for failure, and allowing the media to miscast them in roles where they do not belong. Whether it’s the inability to find a centre for Phil Kessel, or a winger for Mats Sundin, the Leafs haven’t been able to provide their elite talent with players that would allow us to see these stars at their full potential.  This, amongst other things makes the Leafs the butt of many jokes in the NHL world; they can never seem to have the right pieces together at the same time, on the same roster. Imagine a team with Mats Sundin (in his prime) and Phil Kessel on the same line… it would be illegal in many countries.  Sure being a fan of the Leafs can be frustrating, however It’s time that we start appreciating the talented players we are lucky enough to watch play for this team, and stop the Toronto trend of dumping on the players who are successful, just because we know they could be more successful.  Leafs nation, enjoy the nice things that we have while we have them, and stop dumping on players who actually want to play for our team.

Feel free to give us your two cents in the comment section below!

Questions and comments you can also email to questions@thefrancisreport.ca and maybe we will get them on the next Report!

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The Francis Report Podcast EP4 - Breaking New Ground

Episode 4 is up!

Game 7: Islanders Host Leafs - Predictions

Grabbo and Kuli are back! Look at these two beauties!  I still wish they were on the Leafs.

Islanders:  Off to a hot start this year, the Islanders can tie the Canadiens and Ducks for top in the league.  They only have 1 loss so far, given to them by The Penguins.

Record: 4-1-0, 8pts, 1st in the Met, 2nd in the East

Leading Scorers: Tavaras 2-7-9, Nelson 4-4-8, Okposo 2-5-7

Leafs got swept in the home and home with the Red Wings this past weekend.  They did manage to keep pace with their division rival in the second game, in Detroit, but it wasn't enough to get 2 points. They managed only 1 of a possible 4 points.  

Record: 2-3-1, 5pts, 6th in the ATL, 12th in the East

Leading Scorers: Bozak 3-3-6, Kessel 2-3-5, Komarov 0-4-4

As per The Nation Network's Daily Faceoff, the starting goalies tonight are Halak for the Islanders and Bernier for the Leafs.

Mike (0-6): 3-2 Leafs.  Pretty boy Joffrey Lupul gets the game winner, in OT.

Jeff (0-6): 5-2 Islanders. They are just too good of a team for the Leafs to stand a chance.  Hattrick for Travaras, Kessel getting 2 points for the Leafs.

Leafs travel to Ottawa tomorrow for the next installment of the Battle of Ontario!

If you are bored, check out our latest podcast! 

We are recording a new podcast tomorrow, please send questions for comments to questions@thefrancisreport.ca and maybe they will make it in the podcast.

The Francis Report Podcast EP3

In this episode we take a trip to the Air Canada Center to see the Leafs and Red Wings face off.  We recap the Leafs/Avs game.  Also we introduce the new segment, Post Game Scrum.






Got a question? Post it here or send it to us in an email to questions@thefrancisreport.ca

Mike's latest post on the Staal trade rumours: Leafs Might Want To Staal Trade Rumours

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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.

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!

Game 2: Leafs Host Penguins - Predictions

Hockey Night in Canada has it's debut tonight, with it's new cast, and new host, George Stroumboulopoulos.  I wish good luck to Strombo with this new adventure in his life.  He has some big shoes to fill.

Sidney Corsby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are in Toronto tonight to take on  The Buds. Crosby has had quite the career against The Leafs.  He has 20 goals 23 assists for 43 points in only 28 games.

Penguins: Penguins have won their only game. They over came a Corey Perry hattrick to beat The Ducks 6-4.
Record: 1-0-0
Point Leaders (G-A-P): Pascal Dupuis 1-3-4, Crosby 2-1-3, Ollie Maatta 0-3-3


Leafs: Leafs lost their season opener to the Montreal Canadiens 4-3.  The winning goal for the Habs came with less than a minute left in the game, when the puck went of rookie defence man Stuart Percy.
Record: 0-1-0
Point Leaders(G-A-P): Tyler Bozak 1-0-0, Nazem Kadri 1-0-0, Morgan Rielly 1-0-0

Predictions:
Mike (0-1): 4-2 Leafs.  Kessel with a big game and the game winner.
Jeff (0-1):  5-4 Leafs.  Phil Kessel will get the game winning goal.  

Up next for the Leafs visit The New York Rangers in  tomorrow (Sunday)

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HGS: October 10th 2014

The Leafs lost the first game of the year, big deal.  It's only one game!  Even ask Phil Kessel, he knows!

"Guys, it's Game 1. You guys need to relax a bit here.” — Phil Kessell #Leafs
— Kevin McGran (@kevin_mcgran) October 10, 2014

Phil is right.  Stop over reacting to 1 game!  There are 81 left.

There is a never ending supply of reasons why Randy Carlyle should not be a coach in the NHL.  1) He would rather have 2 face punchers sit on the bench for 57 minutes a night than to have 2 guys there with actual skill.  I know you might say "But Jeff, the Leafs farm is bare, they don't have anyone with skills" and you would probably be right. Just having two players who are going to play 3 minutes a game is just a giant waste.

Then there was that time when he said Reimer was "Just ok."  Even if this was the case, and it was, you don't throw your goalie under the bus, ever.  There isn't a player on a team with a more fragile confidence than the starting goalie who is going through a bit of a rough patch.  Or in this case, a sub-par season.

Today, Randy was at it again.  This is what he had to say.

Carlyle on Phaneuf's transition from right to left side this season: "I don't think it's really that difficult, personally"
— Mark Masters (@markhmasters) October 10, 2014

Is he nuts?  Is this his way of getting back at Leafs management for getting rid of his cement heads fighters?  If you ask me, and by reading this blog post I assume you are asking me, get rid of this guy.  He is a hindrance to the youth on this team and is way behind the times.


Here are some note about tomorrow's game:

Franson looks doubtful for Saturday's game. Sunday probably a better fit. Only possible lineup change would be Panik for Frattin. #TMLtalk
— Paul Hendrick (@HennyTweets) October 10, 2014

Jonathan Bernier was the first goalie off the ice at practice today. Would think he starts tomorrow with James Reimer to follow on Sunday.
— Jonas Siegel (@jonasTSN1050) October 10, 2014

You'll notice in the first tweet there that Henny mentions "Panik"  Richard Panik, who failed to make the roster of The Tampa Bay Lighting, was picked up off waivers by the Leafs.  Here is the 411 on Panik, who by the way will wear #18 in Saturday night's game.

Head over to BarDown @ TSN.  Check out this weirdo.

Yes, this is a Tom Brady Helmet Tattoo. See the rest of this crazy guy's head HERE: http://t.co/dmLMXzr4EK pic.twitter.com/jfTQz2taTQ
— BarDown (@BarDown) October 10, 2014

Test

PS.  It looks like Thor is back in the NHL.  Striking resemblance? Na, they are twins separated at birth!

OFFICIAL: #NYR have recalled defenseman @Kostka85 from the @WolfPackAHL. Kostka had 1a & was +2 in 4 preseason games. pic.twitter.com/klbAJjVMMi
— New York Rangers (@NYRangers) October 10, 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.

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..

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.

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!

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?

Leafs/Lightning Preview Nov 22nd 2011

It's turning out to be a dog fight for the division..  The Leafs are now fighting Buffalo and Boston for top spot in the North-East.  It's the Leafs own doing.  They have 4 wins in their last 10, and 4 of their 8 losses are against division rivals. 

So, last year, the Leafs were 0-3-1 against Tampa, being shut out twice in those 4 games by Roloson and Ellis once each.   Kessel has 13 points against Tampa in the 19 games that he has played against them.

Leafs are 2-6 in their last 8 and Tampa  4-4 in their last 8.

Leafs: 11-8-2 good for 1st in the North-East division (tied)
Lightning: 9-8-2 good for 3rd in the South-East

Looks like Lupul has a point per game pace for his last 34 games.  I dont think Lupul gets enough credit.  Since he came to the Leafs, Kessel has become more consistent.  In fact, since Lupul came over, Kessel has only been held off the scoreboard in consecutive games once!  His average point streak runs about 3.5 games, and his longest is 15 games (spread over the end of last year and beginning of this year).

Prediction:  Leafs 4-1 - Kessel, Frattin, Steckel, Phanuef

Leafs have to go with Gustavsson tonight, he deserves it the most.