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 | Calle Jarnkrok #19 of the Nashville Predators scores on James Reimer #34 of the Toronto Maple Leafs early in the third period. Jarnkrok's goal put the Predators up 7-0. | | Toronto - November 19, 2014 - Tuesday night’s game in Toronto vs the Nashville Predators was one of the most heart sinking losses in recent Leafs history. When it was all said and done the Leafs had lost by a final score of 9-2. Bernier was pulled at the end of the first period and the Leafs allowed 4 goals in the first 6 minutes of the third period. It was a disgusting performance that requires very little analysis. If you wore a Leafs jersey on that ice Tuesday night you played a bad game, it is that simple. For the sake of morale though, lets try to find a bright spot or two shall we.
First off can we put an end to the argument that either Leaf goalie is significantly worse or better than the other. Both played in this game and both got lit up and both let in weak goals. When the Leafs already mediocre defense has a bad night neither goalie stands a chance. So lets not go and harass any wives on twitter shall we Leafs nation.
Nazem Kadri, Mike Santorelli and Leo Komarov played the best out of anybody. Kadri and Santorelli scored the two Leaf goals and managed to not look horrible throughout the game. Both were also the only Leafs to finish with a positive +/- rating at +1. Komarov looked good, he played the entire game like it was a tied game. He finished hits, played decent defensively and continues to be a great addition to the penalty kill, as does Daniel Winnik. I would expect Kadri, Santorelli and Komarov to be a line for the foreseeable future, if Carlyle doesn’t get fired.
Those are all of the positives. There’s not a whole lot to be said at this point besides the obvious fact that Randy Carlyle’s job is in serious danger. By the time you are reading this I would not be shocked if he has been relieved of his duties. A 6-2 loss to Buffalo followed by a 9-2 loss to Nashville is an easy way to get fired, and two shameful losses. In their last two games, the Leafs have been outscored 15-4. That’s just horrible.
The Leafs need to get this fixed immediately. Based on current standing’s the next time the Leafs play a team not in a playoff position is December 18th against the Carolina Hurricanes. Their games between now and then are as follows: Tampa Bay, Detroit, Pittsburgh, Washington, Dallas, New Jersey, Vancouver, Calgary, Detroit, Detroit, Los Angeles and Anaheim. That’s twelve straight games against playoff teams. If the Leafs do not address the multitude of problems that they face in every facet of their game, they will be in a dead heat for the number one overall pick by the time Christmas rolls around.
Expect changes to come soon Leafs fans, as this simply cannot stand. The Leaf’s next game is Thursday night against the high flying, Steven Stamkos led Tampa Bay Lightning.
Rob McPhee
@RobMcPhee |
