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| their last four. Ben Bishop allowed all five goals on 28 shots. Sustrs goal was t |
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COLUMBUS – The Maple Leafs continue to search for an identity. On a chilly Friday evening in Columbus, that reality was hammered home once more. The Leafs fell for the third time in the past four games, outworked by the Blue Jackets in a 5-2 loss at Nationwide Arena. A fast, physical, determined bunch in 2013 en route to the first playoff berth in nine years, the group this fall has bared only a passing resemblance to that identity so far. “We know what it was – I think everybody knows what it was,” Jay McClement said of the teams identity in conversation with the Leaf Report following the latest loss. “Were struggling to live up to that every night I think right now.” There were signs of that identity emerging in a hearty 4-2 win against Anaheim on Tuesday night. Though they started slowly with the Ducks in town – just two shots in the first frame – the Leafs got to playing a harder, more refined game as they took control of the final two periods en route to their seventh victory this season. It appeared to be a potential starting point. “For the most part, the last game we played was probably back to our identity and then we come out tonight and you dont really see any resemblance of it,” said McClement, second among Toronto forwards with upwards of 21 minutes against the Blue Jackets. “Its just a consistency in getting that game back. Its all the things we talked about all year last year; just being a physical team, a forechecking team, and playing fast.” Stumbling starts have become an increasingly concerning part of the equation. Friday was the fourth time in five games that the Leafs (sans Joffrey Lupul, who was nursing a bruised right foot) have managed five shots or fewer in the first frame, a mere five against Sergei Bobrosky within a sloppy, uninspired opening 20 minutes which saw Columbus draw 16 shots and a 1-0 lead. “Just seems to be one of those things,” said James van Riemsdyk. “Every game we come out and get outshot 16-3 in the first period and then start to play a little bit better. Usually when you do that you dont leave yourself much breathing room to find ways to win games. We definitely didnt play anywhere close to our abilities tonight.” “If I had the answer to that,” Randy Carlyle said with a sigh of his teams sluggish starts. “I wish I did have the answer to that.” Concerned with his teams performance throughout an uneven and yet successful start, Carlyle called for an improved work ethic prior to the win over Anaheim. “Our work ethic has to be elevated to a point where we can create more of an identity for ourselves,” he said on Tuesday morning. “I dont know if we can say what type of hockey club we are yet.” Recovering from their off-kilter start – Jonathan Bernier stopped 22 of the first 23 shots – the Leafs entered the third frame on Friday even at one. But after a quick goal from Marian Gaborik and a shorthanded back-breaker from Brandon Dubinsky, any hope of success was all but extinguished. “Were 11 games in and were nowhere near the peak of playing our best hockey,” said van Riemsdyk of his group, now 7-4-0 on the year. “Obviously we know we have a lot of work to do.” The Leafs established a physical presence last year by being a quick and often relentless group on the forecheck, wearing opponents down by mucking it up in the corners. They would chip pucks, chase, and grind. And in conjunction with solid special teams, sturdy goaltending and a lot of offence – the Leafs were a poor defensive team at even-strength – theyd win a fair number of games. “We think as a forechecking hockey club that you dont go in and swing by people, you go in and take the body,” said Carlyle before the Friday loss. “Thats probably the mandate that were going to try and play to. I would say that we havent done a very good job of that … Were a team still trying to find its identity.” The wins were there early this year – six in the first seven games – despite underlying concerns, but of late those results have turned; three losses now in the past four games with the daunting Penguins in town on Saturday. The search continues for who and what the Leafs are. “Weve got to start with being prepared mentally to play that game,” McClement said. “I just think we cant rest on that identity, we have to earn that identity every night. “You have to live up to it. Thats how teams expect us to play. Its disappointing when we dont play like that because thats how we can win games.” Five Points 1. Long-awaited debut David Clarkson played just under 16 minutes in his Maple Leafs debut. The 29-year-old began the night alongside Dave Bolland and Jay McClement, eventually finishing the proceedings with Nazem Kadri and Mason Raymond. Clarkson finished with four shots, whistled for hooking on his third shift of the game. “I think he looked rusty,” said Carlyle of Clarkson, who hadnt played since Sept. 27 in the preseason. [But] the one thing you know [is] hes going to try.” “No I didnt feel that,” said Clarkson of any rust in spite of a month-long layoff. “Thats maybe what Randy feels. Getting used to playing with guys, minutes, I guess youd have to ask him those questions.” Clarkson did present some of the promised elements in his first action with the club. He was a force in some instances on the forecheck and proved an irritant at times. 2. Alarming starts “The first period wasnt us at all,” McClement said of the teams start against the Blue Jackets. Sluggish first periods have become all too familiar for the Leafs in the past 10 days or so. A mere three shots were on the clock in the opening frame against the Wild, three shots during a clash with the Blackhawks, two shots against the Ducks and five shots against Columbus most recently. Overall this season the Leafs have been outshot 125-92 in first periods, outscored 10-7. 3. Clarksons evolution Though he remains a pesky presence, Clarkson has evolved from the player who first entered the league with New Jersey in 2007. “I fought my way into the league,” he said before his debut with the Leafs on Friday. “Thats still part of my game, but I think the more I got used to the level and everything I think the game started coming together for me.” A look at Clarksons fighting history reveals such a shift. “Definitely when I was younger there was more fighting or agitating, but I still dont shy away from that now,” he said. Year Fighting Majors* 2007-08 21 2008-09 20 2009-10 9 2011-12 7 2013 6 *HockeyFights.com 4. Subtle adjustments with a new team Just weeks into his Leafs career, Bernier continues to adjust to the style of his new team and more specifically, the defence core. As the backup to Jonathan Quick for years in Los Angeles, Bernier “had to step in on what [Jonathan] Quick liked” as far as working with the teams defenders. “Obviously when youre a backup its different,” he told the Leaf Report earlier this week. “When the guy plays a lot you have to read what hes doing so when you step in its going to be the same thing.” Now in Toronto and a competitor for the No. 1 job, Bernier is trying to assert his own preferences. Because he intends to square up every shooter, the 25-year-old wants to ensure that back-door assignments are handled by his defenders. Adjustments typically come through game experience. “It has to happen on the play,” he said of hashing out any changes. “Lets say I get beat in the game and Ill be like ‘Look I think thats going to work for us if we do this. It takes time to adjust.” “I dont know about the other D, but Im talking to Bernier every day about positioning when theres a point shot, when hes out playing the puck, all that,” Carl Gunnarsson told the Leaf Report. “If we let the back-door pass through its going to be a tough one for him right … Weak-side, weve got to make sure weve got the guy, at least tie up his stick and try to box out so he sees it. “Just trying to figure out what he wants because in the end hes the guy whos doing all the work back there.” 5. Rielly Morgan Rielly played his ninth game with the Leafs on Friday. When he suits up against the Penguins on Saturday night he will have exercised the first year of his entry-level contract. The 19-year-old will have additionally secured one year towards eventual arbitration rights (four are required). The next big hurdle for Rielly is the 40-game plateau. After 40 games on the active roster (even those he doesnt play), Rielly will have garnered one “accrued” season in the NHL, thus initiating the clock on his path toward unrestricted free agency. With seven accrued seasons in the league (or the age of 27), players qualify for UFA status. Stat-Pack 23:05 – Ice-time for Cody Franson versus Columbus, leading the team. 12-41 – Combined mark on the draw for Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland against the Blue Jackets. Bozak finished 9-26, continuing his year-long struggles, Bolland far off the mark with a 3-15 showing. 43.7 per cent – Leafs overall mark on faceoffs this season, second-worst in the NHL. 15:41 – Ice-time for David Clarkson in his Leafs debut. 36 – Shots for Columbus. 10 – Number of games the Leafs have yielded 30-plus shots this season. 21:33 – Minutes for Jay McClement against Columbus, a season-high. 31 – Saves for Jonathan Bernier. Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-3 PK: 5-6 Quote of the Night “You have to live up to it. Thats how teams expect us to play. Its disappointing when we dont play like that because thats how we can win games.” -Jay McClement on the Leafs identity. Up Next The Leafs host Sidney Crosby and the Penguins at the ACC on Saturday. Rolando McClain Jersey . Stamkos suffered a broken leg 10 weeks ago and continues to rehab in hopes of returning to the Tampa Bay Lightning lineup before the Olympic break. As a result of the positive feedback from the X-ray, Stamkos will continue to ramp up both on- and off-ice workouts. Womens Larry Allen Elite Jersey . Speaking to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on Friday, Brodeur said "Ive come to the conclusion that Im definitely going to be available July 1. http://www.cowboysproshop.us.com/ . PAUL, Minn. Womens J.J. Wilcox Elite Jersey . 10 San Diego State to a 73-64 win over UNLV on Wednesday night. Tony Romo Jersey . Teague one handed three pointerTheres something to be said about having the nerve to go up and take a shot from downtown late in a close playoff game, but what is there really to say when that shot is one handed? Teague answers that question with a simple Jordan like shrug of the shoulders.The Toronto Maple Leafs hope to give their fading playoff chances an injection of life when they visit the Tampa Bay Lightning for Tuesdays battle in Central Florida. The Maple Leafs are three points behind Columbus for the last playoff spot in the East with only three games left on their schedule. You can listen to the game live on TSN 1050 starting at 7:30pm et/4:30 pm pt. All three of Torontos remaining games are on the road and the club likely needs to win every one and hope for help from other teams to make the postseason for a second straight spring. The Leafs, who are just 14-17-7 on the road in 2013-14, had missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons before returning to the tournament last year. Already without No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Bernier for the rest of the regular season, Toronto also will not have forward Joffrey Lupul for the remaining three games. The club announced Monday that Lupul, who is third on the Maple Leafs with 22 goals this season, will undergo surgery on his knee and be sidelined for the next 3-to-4 weeks while centre David Bolland is a game-time decision. The club announced Tuesday morning that forward Carter Ashton and goaltender Drew MacIntyre have been called up from the American Hockey Leagues Toronto Marlies. Torontos postseason dreams were severely damaged when the club lost its last eight games of March in regulation. The Leafs won two straight to begin April to get back in the playoff conversation, but then lost their final home game of the regular season in Saturdays 4-2 setback against Winnipeg. The Maple Leafs held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 in the first period of Saturdays game, but the Jets scored three unanswered markers to finish the contest. Tobias Enstrom scored the eventual game-winning goal when he converted on the power play with 2:58 left in the second period. Phil Kessel and Nazem Kadri provided Torontos two goals and James Reimer allowed all four goals on 41 shots. "I think they outplayed us," Kessel said. "We need too play better.dddddddddddd" Reimer, who is 1-6-0 over his last seven starts, expects to get the call again on Tuesday. The 26-year-old is 2-4-0 with a 3.31 goals against average in six career games against the Lightning. Toronto won the first two meetings with the Lightning this season before dropping a 5-3 home decision against Tampa on March 19. Reimer allowed five goals on 30 shots in the setback, as the Leafs lost to Tampa for only the third time in 10 outings. Toronto has claimed three of the past five road meetings against the Bolts. Tampa Bay already has locked up a playoff spot and is five points ahead of the Detroit Red Wings for third place in the Atlantic Division standings with four games left for both teams. The Lightning will face Montreal in the opening round of the playoffs unless Detroit, which visits Buffalo on Tuesday, beats them in the standings. The Lightning have lost their last two games in regulation, including Saturdays 5-2 setback against the visiting Dallas Stars. Jamie Benn had two goals and an assist to help Dallas rout the Bolts at Tampa Bay Times Forum. Andrej Sustr and Steven Stamkos scored for the Lightning, who have dropped three of their last four. Ben Bishop allowed all five goals on 28 shots. Sustrs goal was the first of his NHL career and his eighth point. "It was exciting and something I will always remember for the rest of my life," said Sustr of his first goal. "Unfortunately Ill associate it with a loss and Id rather it be the other way around." Tampa Bay fell to 22-10-6 on home ice and is playing the fourth part of a six- game homestand on Tuesday. The Lightning will cap the regular season with Sundays road test in Washington. In other news, the Lightning signed vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman to a four-year contract extension on Monday. Yzerman has one more year remaining on his initial contract with the club and is completing his fourth season as the Lightnings lead hockey operations executive. Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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| Beitrag vom 23.10.2014 - 14:26 |
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| qian1993 |
23.10.2014 - 14:26 |
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