A Discombobulated First Line and Rising Panic

If you really want to know what’s wrong with the Toronto Maple Leafs. I will tell you. In a nutshell, they have no heart. They have no emotion. The Toronto Maple Leafs are what they are: an NHL team with no direction. I understand that this is early in the season, but I have some major concerns. The team has no mental fortitude. They won’t fight for the puck.

The leaders of this team

The team leaders have to start showing up. The Maple Leafs don’t have enough other players to make up for their lack of depth. Last year, this team could win with a bunch of “me” players. If they do not pull together and play as a team, they won’t win.

Where is the muscle we were supposed to get?

The Maple Leafs have to realize it’s a simple formula: There is a ninety percent chance that if you are chasing the puck, you’re not winning the game. Bottom line, the team’s work ethic has to improve. They often toddle away from altercations in the corners.

The first line is discombobulated

The Maple Leafs have been unable to find the missing piece. Matthews and Knies are looking for a playmate. They need to get more involved in the game. If they do not get more involved, what you’ve been seeing is what you are going to get.

Final word

It is not time to press the panic button, but some major concerns need to be addressed. Now that Tanev is out, there could be defensive concerns. I hope the concerns get addressed. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the Stolartz speech. I do not mind Anthony speaking out, but he has struggled since then. If you do the crime, you have to do the time. Maybe next time, he won’t chime. I bet you didn’t know I was a poet. Until next time!

Randy

Isles Dominate: A 7–2 Statement Win Over the Red Wings

The New York Islanders fans might be a little happy right now. As of the writing of this blog, the Isles just played their best game of the season, rolling over the Red Wings 7-2. There are a few major factors I have noticed that contribute to their wins.

Matthew Schaefer

Schaefer continues to rule the world. Matthew has been absolutely outstanding. He has done everything he set out to do. His strength, of course, is skating. I have never seen an 18-year-old defender who looks like he’s in his prime. What makes it more impressive is that he can only get better. He makes the Power Play look 20% better, and Matthew Barzal has finally found a friend.

Ilya Sorokin

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr. Sorokin has returned. I am definitely seeing the Sorokin of two years ago. He has been making the saves to keep the Islanders in the game. During this winning streak, he is making the key saves. It is encouraging to see that he is not giving up at key moments. He has to make those saves for the Islanders to be successful.

Dave Rittich

Let’s give credit where credit is due, shall we? Big Save Dave has earned his starts. Dave, even though he was not busy against the Wings, was there when he was called upon. He has given the New York Islanders a chance to win; he starts, and that’s all you can expect from a backup goalie. Dare I say, maybe we should let him have a few more starts so we don’t wear out the big man.

Emil Heineman

It was awesome to see the New York Islanders get some scoring and secondary support from the bottom six. Specifically, Emil Heineman, who loves speed and is willing to get his nose dirty. The more help Barzal and Horvat get, the better. The scoring must be community-driven this season for the Isles to be successful.

Final Word

I’m not saying that I am ready to set up the parade. What I am saying is that it’s nice to see the New York Islanders come together for this winning stretch. The Islanders fans have some hope that maybe this might not be a long season after all. That’s it for now.

Randy

 

The Toxic Trio That Will Sink Your Hockey Season

The other day, I was trying to figure out what to write for my next blog.  It came to me when I noticed some hockey teams have players who bring a negative influence to the team.

Oddly enough, these players are on the teams that are presently struggling. It is an interesting phenomenon that warrants further research.  Maybe there is something to this, because it sure seems strange that every struggling team has one of these players on its roster.

So I thought I would list these players and their characteristics. Then maybe you can help me determine if there is more to this than meets the eye.  I really hope you can help me.

The Comfort Zone Goalie

This guy is a goalie. He seems too easily distracted, having to hack all the players who stand in front of his net or in his goal crease. This seems to cause all sorts of distress to his teammates. His defensemen seem to think his attention needs to be somewhere else. Something about being in his net. So what’s up with that? Don’t the defensemen know that you have to clear the crease?

The Floating Winger

This forward seems to be a very delicate hockey player. He is making it all the other players’ jobs to get him the puck. What are they, crazy? Expecting a player actually to go into the corners to get the puck? He seems to think he has only one job: floating. It’s where he stands in one spot and expects everyone to bring him the puck.

His teammates seem to think that he should do other players’ jobs, too. They actually want him to get the puck? What happens if his floating spot gets taken? It would be very uncomfortable for him to occupy another floating position in the rink.

The Center of the Universe

This player is usually on the same line as Not in My Job Description. These two players seem to clash, often resulting in yelling at the bench. He seems to know every play revolves around him. He is baffled that his teammates do not get this. They seem to think maybe he should pass the puck once in a while. The nerve of them — they actually expect him to share the spotlight. Blasphemy! Never will there be anyone as good as him!

Hockey or Fight Club? What’s Going On in the NHL This Season

Have you noticed how much stupidity is happening in the NHL this season? Think about it. What worries me most isn’t just the rough play; it’s the lack of respect players are showing for each other. How far are they willing to go to win the hockey game?

If you’re an Oilers fan, you know this only too well. How many times have you seen McDavid mauled? I can live with borderline penalties—maybe a little stick holding here and there. What really bothers me is the slashes on a player’s wrist. Then there are the times players lose their minds. I especially hate it when a player drops the sticks, jumps on another player, and starts punching. Yeah, I’m looking at you, Florida. And then everyone just shrugs it off like, “Oh, he’s frustrated.” Like that somehow makes it okay.

I love the rough style of hockey with a good hit. But if there’s a fight, I want it to be a fair battle between two willing participants. Jumping a player from behind or getting the first cheap shot—I can’t swear, but think of the worst curse, and that will be what I’m thinking.

And don’t even get me started on the staged fights. You know the ones. You know the fights where the players will brawl before the puck drops. Do you want to go? Do you wanna go? And I know it’s quite often for a hit in another incident in another game. So the player has to face the piper and fight somebody from the other team. I get that sometimes that happens; but too often, it’s just two meatheads who feel like fighting.

Okay, rant over. Let’s talk about what’s actually happening around the league.

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are making strides and showing some pride in their play. Speaking of the Sabres, there is one player who I’m rooting for this season, and his name is Alex Lyon. Alex has been working his butt off, giving Buffalo a chance of winning every game. You can’t expect more from your goalie than that.

Edmonton Oilers

You count on three things happening: death, taxes, and the Edmonton Oilers starting slowly. I have no worries that this team will be in either first or second place by the end of the year. I love the emotion I see in McDavid. He is ready to explode. I have no worries about this team with players like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.

Final Word

The big surprise so far? The Detroit Red Wings. Dylan Larkin has been an absolute beast this season, and it’s honestly nice to see the underdog come out swinging.

That’s it for now. We’ll see how long the madness keeps up this season.

It Ain’t a Mustang, but the Leafs Can Still Cross the Finish Line

Easton Cowan

Easton fills a niche in the lineup. He fits nicely with Matthew and Knies. Putting him on the fourth line did nothing for his progression as a player. His speed is right up there with Matthews and Knies. Easton’s hockey IQ will allow him to adapt if he has to stay on the fourth line.

Matias Maccelli

I know it’s only one game, but the Toronto Maple Leafs have found their second line. Matias fit nicely with Nylander and Tavares. His speed was impressive. His playmaking skills connected nicely with Nylander. I am cautiously optimistic. I know it was only against Nashville. They were effective for that game. Matias is a useful top-six forward. He fits in perfectly as the second liner. Again, it was only against Nashville, but it was nice to see the new line work together.

The Dynamic Duo

Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies are a dynamic duo. Auston easily scored the best goal of the year so far on a beautiful setup by Matthew. We need Auston to be more emotional. With that goal, Auston brought that line together. Again, it’s just one game, but we need this more from the team, especially from this duo. If they can be productive, the offense will explode.

Calle Jarnkrok

I am not saying he is the best thing since sliced bread. But it is nice to see Calle score three goals already when he only had one all last season. I know it’s not gonna be like this all season. What I have liked about Jarnkrok so far this season is his hustle. He has always been the first to get into the corners, get his nose dirty, and cause play. Again, it is early in the season, but if he can continue this hustle in the lineup, there will be improvement in the bottom six.

Final Word

The Maple Leafs need to get more consistent. There have been times when they have seemed uninterested. They can dance around in a hockey game, but this season, they cannot turn it on for five minutes to win a game. They don’t have that kind of team. They have to play a full 60 minutes to be successful. I know that is cliché, but this team needs to be a meat-and-potatoes team. It does not matter how you get there, whether it’s in the Beetle or a Mustang, as long as you get there.

More Turnovers Than a Bakery: Isles Stumble Out of the Gate

The first three games of the New York Isles have been bleak. They have made more turnovers than a bakery. That is concerning because the Isles are not a young team. They should know better. There is no urgency in the dressing room. In order for the Islanders to be successful, they have to play a full sixty minutes.

The main question is: Is this a matter of lack of effort? Or are the Islanders this bad? Can it be both? There is no way I believe the team’s talent level is this bad. Our advantage is that we’ve only played three games this season. There is plenty of time to fix this ship before we go out to sea.

The Power Play

The biggest issue I would like to see improved is the power play. The power play lacks imagination. It is easy to predict what they will do. Enough with the passing and trying to be fancy; you can’t score a goal without shouting. Let’s shoot the puck. Get the puck back to the point, shoot it, and see what happens. I love it when Schaefer is dancing around. Don’t get me wrong, I also love it when Matthew Barzal is being dangerous. But, when it comes down to it, it’s getting the puck to the net.  

Schaefer is the next Denis Potvin

I understand Schaefer’s excitement. He is the best thing since sliced bread. Yes, he has been excellent, but highs and lows are a part of every rookie’s life. He is a terrific young player with tons of talent, but it is a little too early to compare him to Potvin or the ultimate—Bobby Orr. Not that he isn’t a promising prospect, but putting that kind of pressure on an 18-year-old is crazy. We have to worry about the kid’s psyche if his play drops.

Final word

Bottom line, it’s still early. When it comes down to the Isles season, the goaltending will be crucial. Sooner or later, Serokin will have to steal some games. I have no doubt Horvat will be better. The only question with Barzal is his health. The scoring support has to pick up for the Isles to be successful.

Randy