<p><img data-recalc-dims="1" loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://i0.wp.com/thenationnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/fb/c8/article_fbc8aa2c-8490-497f-a9ea-670a59d338a9.jpeg?resize=600%2C360" alt="chart" width="600" height="360"></p>
<p>On paper, the Avalanche looked like a perfect opponent for the Leafs to play to encourage some positive habits and get another win under their belt. Why? Possession. The Avs, like the Leafs, aren’t a possession powerhouse. With some luck, it looked like the Leafs could work and succeed at a bunch of the things they wanted to incorporate this season.</p>
<p></p>
<h2>The Rundown</h2>
</p>
<p>The first period was almost entirely counter-attack, both teams utilizing their speedy forwards and mobile D to generate chances. The Leafs got on the board first. Tyler Bozak picked up a turnover caused by a pinching Cody Franson, made a great pass to van Riemsdyk, who then had a beautiful give-and-go with Kessel, and buried the puck from in tight.</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-36-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p>A few minutes later, Ryan O’Reilly picked up a puck that took a weird bounce, and buried it. Despite the period finishing 1-1, the Avalanche were the far better team. </p>
<p>The Leafs picked up their pace in the second. They outshot the Avs 16-7 and looked like they were bound to put in their second goal of the game. Matt Duchene had other ideas, putting home a beautiful wrister #bardown. </p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-479-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p>A perfect shot, but of course some people on social media brought up the whole “high glove” thing. Sad, really.</p>
<p>The third saw the Leafs continue to dominate the Avalanche, outshooting them 15-5. Only this time, they were rewarded for their efforts with a Joffrey Lupul goal, tying the game at 2-2 10:36 into the period. The Leafs continued to press, but couldn’t keep the game from going to OT.  </p>
<p>After the very exciting dry scrape, OT started. 34 seconds later, this happened:</p>
<p><iframe loading="lazy" src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-814-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p>Can we just all love and appreciate Phil Kessel for like ever? Can we stop complaining about him? That’d be cool. </p>
<h2>Blue Warrior</h2>
</p>
<p>Phil “The Phil” Kessel. After a really horrible, terrible, no good, very bad two-game (lol) slump, Phil called himself and his line out for not getting &#8211; in his words &#8211; shit done. Since, Phil has 5 points in two games, including this OT GWG. </p>
<p>Oh and clutch goals are nothing for Phil &#8211; he led the league in go-ahead goals last year. </p>
<p>Praise be. </p>
<h2>Notes</h2>
</p>
<ul>
<li>Reimer was great again. I expect he’ll get the start on Friday, with Bernier getting the call on Saturday in their home-and-home with the Red Wings. 
</li>
<li>The Leafs second line continues to be monstrous, with Kadri, Lupul, and Winnik posting 70%, 69%, and 67% 5v5 corsi for% respectively.
</li>
<li>Speaking of lines, how about that third line? They must be incredibly frustrating to play against. Constant cycling and physicality. 
</li>
<li>It’s one game, but Phaneuf-Franson worked really well as a pairing, posting 5v5 60% and 59% corsi for respectively. 
</li>
<li>In fact, all D-men were over 50% CF other than Robidas (47%). Numbers or eye-test, he should sit for Gardiner next game. Other than a big hit, he was bad. 
</li>
<li>They surely can’t sit Percy. Boy is that kid good. I lost count of how many great plays he made this game, and only remember one particularly bad one.
</li>
<li>One note of leftover Carlyle &#8211; the 4th line played around 5 minutes. What happened to using all four lines? This is going to need to change.
</li>
<li>The Leafs outshot &#8211; yes, as in they had more shots than the other team &#8211; the Avalanche 40-24. It was beautiful.</li>
</ul>
<h2>See You Friday</h2>
</p>
<p>The Leafs head to Detroit on Friday for the first half of a home-and-home. The game starts at 7:30 and you can see it on Sportsnet.</p>
<p><b><i>Want more hockey in your life? Take part in the Nations draft!</i></b> <a href="http://theleafsnation.com/2014/10/9/it-s-nation-drafts-time-again"><span class="s1"><b><i>Get all the details here</i></b></span></a><b><i>.</i> </b></p>

<p><img src="//thenationnetwork.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/images/fb/c8/article_fbc8aa2c-8490-497f-a9ea-670a59d338a9.jpeg" alt="chart" width="600" height="360"><br></p><p>On paper, the Avalanche looked like a perfect opponent for the Leafs to play to encourage some positive habits and get another win under their belt. Why? Possession. The Avs, like the Leafs, aren’t a possession powerhouse. With some luck, it looked like the Leafs could work and succeed at a bunch of the things they wanted to incorporate this season.</p><h2>The Rundown</h2><p></p><p>The first period was almost entirely counter-attack, both teams utilizing their speedy forwards and mobile D to generate chances. The Leafs got on the board first. Tyler Bozak picked up a turnover caused by a pinching Cody Franson, made a great pass to van Riemsdyk, who then had a beautiful give-and-go with Kessel, and buried the puck from in tight.<br></p><p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-36-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe><br></p><p>A few minutes later, Ryan O’Reilly picked up a puck that took a weird bounce, and buried it. Despite the period finishing 1-1, the Avalanche were the far better team. <br></p><p>The Leafs picked up their pace in the second. They outshot the Avs 16-7 and looked like they were bound to put in their second goal of the game. Matt Duchene had other ideas, putting home a beautiful wrister #bardown. <br></p><p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-479-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe><br></p><p>A perfect shot, but of course some people on social media brought up the whole “high glove” thing. Sad, really.<br></p><p>The third saw the Leafs continue to dominate the Avalanche, outshooting them 15-5. Only this time, they were rewarded for their efforts with a Joffrey Lupul goal, tying the game at 2-2 10:36 into the period. The Leafs continued to press, but couldn’t keep the game from going to OT.  <br></p><p>After the very exciting dry scrape, OT started. 34 seconds later, this happened:<br></p><p><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2014020043-814-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe><br></p><p>Can we just all love and appreciate Phil Kessel for like ever? Can we stop complaining about him? That’d be cool. <br></p><h2>Blue Warrior</h2><p></p><p>Phil “The Phil” Kessel. After a really horrible, terrible, no good, very bad two-game (lol) slump, Phil called himself and his line out for not getting - in his words - shit done. Since, Phil has 5 points in two games, including this OT GWG. <br></p><p>Oh and clutch goals are nothing for Phil - he led the league in go-ahead goals last year. <br></p><p>Praise be. <br></p><h2>Notes</h2><p></p><p></p><ul>
<li>Reimer was great again. I expect he’ll get the start on Friday, with Bernier getting the call on Saturday in their home-and-home with the Red Wings. <br>
</li>
<li>The Leafs second line continues to be monstrous, with Kadri, Lupul, and Winnik posting 70%, 69%, and 67% 5v5 corsi for% respectively.<br>
</li>
<li>Speaking of lines, how about that third line? They must be incredibly frustrating to play against. Constant cycling and physicality. <br>
</li>
<li>It’s one game, but Phaneuf-Franson worked really well as a pairing, posting 5v5 60% and 59% corsi for respectively. <br>
</li>
<li>In fact, all D-men were over 50% CF other than Robidas (47%). Numbers or eye-test, he should sit for Gardiner next game. Other than a big hit, he was bad. <br>
</li>
<li>They surely can’t sit Percy. Boy is that kid good. I lost count of how many great plays he made this game, and only remember one particularly bad one.<br>
</li>
<li>One note of leftover Carlyle - the 4th line played around 5 minutes. What happened to using all four lines? This is going to need to change.<br>
</li>
<li>The Leafs outshot - yes, as in they had more shots than the other team - the Avalanche 40-24. It was beautiful.</li>
</ul><p></p><h2>See You Friday</h2><p></p><p>The Leafs head to Detroit on Friday for the first half of a home-and-home. The game starts at 7:30 and you can see it on Sportsnet.<br></p><p><b><i>Want more hockey in your life? Take part in the Nations draft!</i></b> <a href="http://theleafsnation.com/2014/10/9/it-s-nation-drafts-time-again"><span class="s1"><b><i>Get all the details here</i></b></span></a><b><i>.</i> </b><br></p>

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