Those Leafs are amped playing the defending champs.  Its now Leafs leading 4-3.

Am I right in understanding that a Bruins win tonight would officially end the chances of a Leafs post-season?

Pens tie it 4-4 with under 2 mins left in regulation.

In Response to Re: Toronto Record Tracker:



We sure are still friends!  And if the freakin globe didn't delete my posts from yesterday, you wouldn't be asking that today!  This is ridiculous.  I think once someone hits the 'report' button your post is gone no matter what it says.  And if you respond to someone calling you a jerk - your post gets deleted and not theirs.

Anyway, the reason I called Phaneuf a jerk was because of the hits like the Kopecky one.  He's not a cheap shot artist, but he plays on that edge where I think he's trying to hurt someone.

re: Kessel, with you and marco its the same thing, we all agree a lot more than it seems.  Yes, he's not physical, but my complaint is that he doesn't sacrifice the body - that is, he's unwilling to stickhandle into traffic.  He can do it, he can do it well, but he doesn't. 
As far as floating goes, dead on - he is best floating, but that's the problem, he doesn't.  He carries the puck too much, instead he should be floating looking for a pass.  Instead of trying to carry it the length of the ice, just give it to somebody and get open.  He should be collecting passes in and around the neutral zone, not trying to rush it end to end.
His speed is in short bursts and 200 feet is too long, 75 feet max is what he should do.

I was really shaken by yesterdays games vs. the Pens.  Maybe its just luck for when I tune it, but every game I've seen the Leafs play, the coach, team or someone does something really really stupid.  I didn't see that against the Pens, not once, a lot less running around, a lot more confident.  It looked like a break out game for them.  Same as I believe the Tampa game was a break out game for the Bruins, even tho they lost that one, but from what I saw that trend continued against Calgary.

I just hope that the Leafs team I saw play the Pens doesn't show up anymore.

And I hope this Bruins team that finally seems to have jelled keeps showing up.

After next year when we don't have any Leafs picks anymore, they will return to one of my favorite other NHL teams.

2 points for Carolina tonight (which means 0 points for Atlanta which eases the pain of tonight's loss), Florida just took the lead from the Preds. Hope this holds up...

It's tough to choose sides here. I want the Leafs to do badly for the sake of the pick. I think my hatred for the Penguins trumps that even though I know it shouldn't. I just can't cheer on the scummy Penguins! Then again they'll make the playoffs in any case so may as well limit the Leafs to 1 point now.

So after that convoluted thinking it's 'Go Pens', er... or do I mean Leafs?

The Leafs are starting to annoy me! Let's hope the Pens can cash in on the PP!!

Leafs gain a point in losing 5-4 in a SO.  They gave the Pens all they could handle.  I'm still hoping that top 3 pick remains a top 3 pick over the next couple of weeks.

In Response to Re: Toronto Record Tracker:

We still friends BadHab after my last posts to you?......LOL

Actually to be honest, I think time has almost run out.  Good run by the Leafs but Columbus beat Chicago twice so there's no chance to catch them.

I think the only teams that the Leafs have a chance against catching are the Islanders and Carolina (not because they are worse but because they have a very tough schedule to finish the season).

It will come down to the last weekend where Toronto plays in New York and Montreal.  If New York is out (which I'm expecting) and Montreal can't move anywhere else, then the Leafs have an outside chance to get points.   Otherwise they stay where they are p.s. I think Boston plays Carolina at the end so that will be an interesting game.

All in all I can't see Boston getting a pick worse then 3rd, however it's all moot until the balls bounce.  Boston still will get a decent chance at #1 even if the Leafs pass 1 or 2 teams before the end of the season.

P.S.  BadHab; I think I understand your comments around Kessel.  They come across as sour grapes at times, but I think I understand what you're saying and probably agree more with your assessment than you might think...

Kessel is a talent but he can be frustrating at times.  He is NOT a physical player at all and doesn't really do much near the boards.  He may look like he floats around, but I think that's where he's most effective.  Not a good back-checker (can get better but will never be very good).  I think you're looking at a 40+ goal scorer with some obvious warts.  I think it will go down as a good trade for both teams.

It's playoff time soon.....Go Bruins!

In Response to Re: Toronto Record Tracker:

The leafs are on a roll, like I said this is the leafs playoffs and they will be damed to give Boston any of the top 5 picks.

Did you see Cooke taunting the Toronto bench when he scored? Such a scum bag!

In Response to Re: Toronto Record Tracker:


Yah, re: Gonchar and Malkin, it wasn't about the win/loss, but that the Leafs showed me something that I didn't see all year from them, that's what worries me.

If Carolina and Florida can win tonight, that will give some breathing room.

Ward is back for Carolina, but Booth is gone for the season from Florida.  Florida is now the weak link.

Matt Cooke ties it up!

Oh, the irony of it all...

<pause />

...now in  O.T.

1-0 Thrashers!  Afinogenov.

Clearly, I'm against backing into the playoffs.

The leafs' last 5 games: against Buffalo, Boston, Philly, New York, and Montreal.  I know the Leafs are hot but 3 of those teams are fighting to stay in the playoff race, NY is fighting to get in, and Buffalo has Miller. 

Bring us Taylor Hall, PLEASE!

Well, Florida only gained one point on Toronto, but at least they still have one more game in hand

I didn't know who to cheer for in this one, but since the Bruins won, it's alright that the Thrashers also won.  Leafs are still 3 back of the Islanders, Lightning, and Panthers with 5 games left.  God, the Leafs need to get on a losing streak.  Bruins need to take care of business on Saturday night in regulation in Toronto.

Tampa Bay and Islanders both blew early leads, so weren't able to gain any distance, but since Toronto lost as well, they maintain the 3 point lead, maintian their game in hand, and click one more game off of the season.

Hoped for better, but still optimistic that the Leafs won't pass anyone. Their last 5 games are against Buffalo (playing stong), Boston, Philly, Montreal, and Rangers, all of whom will be playing for their playoff lives, probably till the last game

In Response to Re: Toronto Record Tracker:

Encouraging....

Check that! Its now Thrashers 2, Leafs 0.

Afineganov makes it 1-0 Atlanta.

No score early in the second between the Leafs and Thrashers.

Would have been better if FLA won outright tonight, but at least they picked up the point going into OT.

And while I'm at it - Isles up on the Rangers, Lightning up on the Jackets.  If the Bruins win, that's pretty much a perfect night.

The Thrashers beat the Leafs 3-2 in regulation time.