Leafs Post Game: Red is Hotter than Blue
9 years ago
We entered Friday’s game with plenty of storylines. James Reimer was getting his third consecutive start, Jake Gardiner was re-entering the lineup after two games in the press box and the Leafs were looking for their third win in a row after starting the year with two straight losses.
Unfortunately, it all came tumbling down tonight in a game that saw the Leafs lose 4-1 on home ice, culminating in a Phaneuf jersey thrown on the ice near the end of the game.
Rundown
The game started out not terrible. For the first ten minutes (exactly ten minutes) the Leafs looked like they were going to compete. They looked like they were going to have a chance. But then at exactly the ten minute mark, Johan Franzen put one past Reimer after Polak fell trying to turn around the back of his net. Poor play by a poor skater and it was 1-0 for the Red Wings.
From then on, the game was controlled by the Red Wings. Toronto took way too many penalties and so often were just standing around watching the puck. In fact, it’s hard to blame Reimer for any of the goals Detroit scored. When your defence decides to puck-watch the entire game, it’s going to be a long night in the defensive zone.
Going into the third period, the Leafs were down 3-0 and seemed dead. They did get a quick goal to start the third where the third line scored 21 seconds in. Mike Santorelli got his first goal as a Leaf with assists from the other misfits, Komarov and Clarkson. But that was a lone bright spot, as they were outshot 15-7 in the period and 35-24 overall.
The Red Wings first line dominated the game, as Zetterberg had four assists,and Franzen and Nyquist both had two points a piece.
The bright side?? Toronto had more blocked shots tonight! 19-8! Yay.
Blue Warrior
Do I have to pick one? The whole team was abysmal tonight. Reimer isn’t to blame but he still gave up four goals. The third line scored a goal but they were also on for two. I guess tonight, the Blue Warrior will have to be the team’s penalty kill. The Red Wings had five powerplays but weren’t successful on any of them. There were a lot of moments where the Leafs even had some scoring opportunities, and Brandon Kozun drew a penalty while almost getting a breakaway.
It’s hard to be positive about anything when the Leafs get thoroughly outplayed like they did tonight but the penalty kill wasn’t terrible so that’ll have to do.
NOTES
- Jake Gardiner led the team in ice time with 22:12 after being scratched the last two games. #CarlyleLogic
- Kadri’s line was the line tasked with shutting down Zetterberg tonight. Probably not the best idea.
- Franson in particular looked terrible tonight. The fourth goal was totally on him. Watching the puck instead of the man is never the right idea.
- Gardiner and Rielly I think had a strong game. Both were also at or above 50% CF, with Rielly at 55% and Gardiner at 50%, tops amond d-men
SEE YOU TOMORROW
Leafs had to Detroit tomorrow for the second of a head-to-head against the Red Wings. The game can be seen on CBC and look for Jon Bernier to get the start.
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