Audio / Multimedia » . “Its two or three weeks of high emotion and the

TAMPA – This is who the Leafs are. For all the talk of change and the need for it in recent weeks or the hope for change that a revamped coaching staff and roster brought with it in the fall, this club essentially embodies all the same flawed elements as years past. Nothing has changed. And with the midway point of the season just over a week away, its pretty safe to assume that not much will change or change substantially enough to matter. This is a middle of the road hockey club, one that may challenge and even qualify for a playoff position this season. But also one that remains fatally flawed in the bigger picture of Stanley Cup contention with a troubled core thats locked up long-term. This is a defensively-challenged, offensively-potent hockey club that wins behind that offence along with goaltending that is typically above-average despite an enormous workload. Monday night in Tampa offered the perfect snapshot of all that these Leafs are despite assertions from the teams captain that a fifth loss in six games was more the result of playing on back-to-back nights. Tonights a totally different situation, Phaneuf said after a 3-2 loss to Tampa, challenging an assessment that the clubs defensive issues have lingered for weeks and not just a single 60-minute affair. Its not even in the same ballpark. Youre playing a team thats sitting. Its different circumstances. Its a back-to-back game, he noted earlier. Theyre sitting here waiting. I think you could tell which team was fresher. With saying that, thats part of playing in the National Hockey League. Youve got to be able to play back-to-backs. Toronto scored twice on its first two shots in the opening eight minutes – opportunistic as ever – then proceeded to land just two more shots in the 20 minutes or so that followed. The Lightning peppered shot after shot – many of quality – at a feisty James Reimer as the Leafs scrambled around in the defensive zone. Head coach Randy Carlyle observed that his team was scatterbrained at times during a second period that saw Tampa score twice, including a game-tying goal from Valterri Filppula; one that zipped through traffic to beat Reimer. Making his second start in as many nights, the 26-year-old Reimer held on to stop the first 22 shots he faced before yielding a goal on each of the next two that came his way. Toronto, better than only Buffalo this season in shot suppression, allowed 32 shots after two periods alone. They were held to just four on the other end nearly halfway through the game. When we do get opportunities, were able to score, but were not getting enough of them, Carlyle said, his team generating just 23 shots at Ben Bishop. And were not sustaining enough pressure in the offensive zone and the other team, they have the puck more than we do. Tampa finished with a 65 per cent possession mark at even-strength, cycling pucks almost without end in the Toronto zone. Steven Stamkos ultimately broke the tie midway through the final frame, wide-open in front of Reimer to tip what became the game-winning goal. It was the kind of glaring misstep defensively thats become all too representative of this Leafs team. Monday marked the 10th time in 37 games – and sixth in the past 12 – that Toronto has surrendered 40 shots or more. We gave up too many chances, but again it is a back-to-back, Phaneuf said, pushing an odd defence of troubles that have lingered for much longer than a night. But its still unacceptable to expect Reims to have that much [of a] workload…And the bottom line is, we have to cut down shots against. One night aside, the challenge for team president Brendan Shanahan in the weeks, months and years ahead is to determine how much of what ails the club is tied to Carlyle and a system and message that hasnt taken and how much is tied to a roster built on the stilts of a truly flawed core, led by Phaneuf and Phil Kessel. Kessel, perhaps the teams best player, symbolizes the difficulty of such a task, his gifts offensively so great but so lacking in other key areas and intangibles of the game. He has seven years to go on a contract which carries an annual cap hit of $8 million. The Leafs will likely right this losing spell, get back on track and win some games. Theyve got the offence and goaltending to do so. But that wont change the grander picture of what this team is and thats one in need of deconstruction by a boss with plenty on his plate in the weeks, months and years ahead. Five Points 1. Shots Against These defensive troubles have only been exacerbated recently. The Leafs have been outshot by an average of nearly 11 shots in the past 10 games, yielding 38 per game in that span. Shot Differential 10-game Segment Shots-Against Average Shots-For Average Dec. 10 – Dec. 29 37.9 27.1 Nov. 15 – Dec. 9 33.3 29.3 Cody Franson offered a detailed assessment of some of the teams defensive troubles. Some of it stems from being able to break out of our zone, he said. Were trying some different things right now; trying to play less in our zone and limit those shots against. But its a combination of things. I think weve just got to get back in a constant flow. Were playing a system that we seem to be spacing ourselves out a little bit sometimes or getting over-extended in the D-zone sometimes. Its just a matter of our group trying to work in five-man units a little better and play tighter hockey. We have to try and do a better job of being more physical and eliminating [the opposing] teams cycle game, he continued, pressed further on the clubs ongoing troubles in the defensive zone. And when we get the puck, we have to be able to get out of our zone and have options to get out of our zone. It seems like we turn it over too much. We dump the puck in without a lot of forechecking pressure or were just too tired to get anything on them. We dump it and we change and theyre coming back at us and we receive the game. 2. Talk without Results The Leafs have talked often about what must change as it relates to the defensive zone, but that talk hasnt been followed by any consistent results. Phaneuf disagreed, however, with such an assessment. You have your own opinion on what you think can be changed, he said. But us as players, we have a job to do. Were working at it, but we have to be better at it. You can have your opinion on it, but were working towards being and doing a better job of keeping our shot totals down, but tonight we just werent able to do that. I dont think its as much as a group of not buying in, Franson added. I dont think thats the problem. I think were just struggling to execute right now and get that flow within our group. Its not like were not working hard, we just arent doing it quite smart enough. 3. Robotics Daniel Winnik observed recently that the structured game, which has eluded the Leafs so often, is not always fun to play, but necessary for team success. He noted Monday how the club tends to stray from that type of game and think hey we can play some run and gun right now. Its tough to stick to a structured system when thats happening. Winnik agreed that part of the challenge lied in convincing the teams skilled players to rein in that skill from time to time in favour of a better team game. Fewer risky plays, say, at the offensive blue line thus resulting in fewer turnovers and less chances for the opponent in transition. When youve got guys who are as skilled as they are, its tough to hold them back, Winnik said. Its like reining in a thoroughbred and telling them to not go as fast as they can. Weve gotten better at it throughout the year and then weve reverted back to old ways sometimes. I dont know what its going to take to stick to robotics a bit, but I think itll slowly happen. I think its just commitment, really. Its tough to do. 4. In Defence of Reimer The Leafs spent Monday morning deconstructing video from Sundays 6-4 defeat in Florida. Made clear to players yet again was the need for stiffer coverage in the defensive zone, a point repeated all too frequently in recent years. Less than vigilant in their defence of James Reimer – both on and off the ice – following the loss to the Panthers, the team took to defending him some a day later. We have all the confidence in the world in James Reimer, said Leafs assistant Steve Spott. We have to be better in front of him. Its not only the shots, its the quality of shots that some of these teams are getting. The easy thing to do is blame a pitcher in baseball or a goalie in hockey; were all about a full team effort and weve got to make sure were better in front of both goalies. 5. Bernier Though he was ultimately held out for the second straight night (flu-like symptoms), Jonathan Bernier was back with the Leafs on Monday and feeling better. The team considered dressing him as the backup, but ultimately decided against it. Bernier did travel with the club to Boston and is expected to be available for Wednesday nights game against the Bruins. Stats Pack 10 – Number of times the Leafs have allowed 40 shots or more this season. 37.9 – Average shots against the Leafs in the past 10 games. 10.8 – Margin by which the Leafs have been outshot in those 10 games. 9-8-1 – Leafs record in sets of back-to-back games this season. Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-2 Season: 20.2% (10th) PK: 3-4 Season: 83.2% (10th) Quote of the Night Its a back-to-back game. Theyre sitting here waiting. I think you could tell which team was fresher. With saying that, thats part of playing in the National Hockey League. Youve got to be able to play back-to-backs. - Dion Phaneuf, on the Leafs loss in Tampa. Up Next The Leafs continue their five-game road swing in Boston on Wednesday night. Michael Bennett Eagles Jersey . LOUIS -- The St. Markus Wheaton Jersey . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. http://www.theeaglesfootballauthentic.com/eagles-haloti-ngata-black-jersey/ . 5 Trade Deadline is drawing closer and teams will be deciding on whether to buy or sell while figuring out which players can make the biggest difference and hold the greatest value. Avonte Maddox Eagles Jersey . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Michael Bennett Jersey . TSNs Farhan Lalji reports the Edmonton Eskimos non-import DT has a workout scheduled with an NFL team next week and isnt expected to sign a deal with any team until then.TORONTO – They will often sit at the back of the bus or assemble on the ice after practice, the defined leadership core of the Maple Leafs trying to figure out where exactly the season has gone wrong and how to reverse course before its too late. “Its happened more and more lately because were obviously at a bit of a turning point right now,” Jay McClement told the Leaf Report, one-third of an assigned leadership group in Toronto that includes Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul. “Its frustrating – its hard to put a finger on obviously.” Now beyond the midway point of the season, the Leafs remain a club that is still searching for an identity, still trying to rediscover the feisty magic that infused the group en route to a long-starved playoff appearance last May. Though they did some good in a tilt with the Islanders on Tuesday night, victory was ultimately denied. In fact, they have just five wins in regulation since the start of November – a string of 30 games – crammed amongst a slog of teams vying for the final playoff seeds in the East. To this point, the only identity thats stuck with the team in Toronto is that of an unpredictable, inconsistent sort. One good night has rarely morphed into two. “All year, weve been very inconsistent with it,” McClement said of the desired identity, which hinges on aggression and a physicality thats been lacking. “I dont even think its game to game, its period to period or shift to shift even. A lot of times its period to period. We have a good period and then we cant follow it up. “Weve obviously talked it to death trying to figure it out and if we had an answer then it wouldnt happen … Its been frustrating for sure for all of us.” Randy Carlyle has seen starts and stops with his hockey club, signs here and there – a dominant win against Chicago, a hearty defeat against Los Angeles – but nothing consistently with the schedule now rolling feverously into the Olympics. Over the weekend he was alarmed by the insufficient compete of his team in an embarrassing 7-1 loss to the Rangers. And though the urgency improved three nights later against another New York opponent, enough went wrong for yet another defeat, including a rare off-night in goal and on special teams. It was the 19th loss during the aforementioned 30-game stretch. “I just think weve got to get a lot more aggressive,” said Carlyle following Tuesdays 5-3 defeat. “Were not skating and being the tenacious Toronto Maple Leafs that I expect or everybody expects, from the coaching staff, management. We dont seem to have enough tenacity in our game right now.” No team in the league allows more shots against than the Leafs – they held the Islanders to just 25 – but because of terrific goaltending, a strong power-play, and some shootout success, the club has managed to pick up points and hang in the playoff race. Those at the front of the ship know, however, thats it not been near good enough and cant continue if further success is to be attained this season. “We look at the body of work and I think that we have another level we can play to,” Carlyle said. “Its very frustrating right now because were not getting it. Were pushing, pushing, pushing and just trying to find an answer to why we have that sort of malaise about us at times.” Five Points 1. Berniers Night Rather than turn to James Reimer for the first time since Dec. 21, Carlyle opted to revert back to Jonathan Bernier for the sixth consecutive game after the 25-year-old allowed five goals on 32 shots against the Rangers. “This was not an easy decision,” said Carlyle afterward, “and obviously it wasnt one that worked out in our favour.” Bernier allowed four goals on 24 shots in one of his worst showings of the season. “You could say that it wasnt one of his better nights – thats for sure,” said Carlyle, unwilling to point the finger entirely in his goaltenders direction. Of the four goals, three stood as questionable; the first from Kyle Okposo was one that snuck under his right arm; the second from Michael Grabner was misplayed behind the goal, and ended in a wrap-around for the Islanders forward; the fourth and ultimately decisive goal was a weak attempt by Calvin de Haan from outside the blue-line that crept off the stick of Phaneuf and through a surprised Bernier. “Those are three goals that Im sure Bernie would like to have back,” Carlyle said. “Personally I thought I did some good things,” Bernier added, “[but] it was one of those games that they got those bounces and they won the game.” 2. End of a Slump? Nazem Kadri had his first multi-point night in more than a month, totaling two assists against the Islanders. Speaking prior to the game, the 23-year-old stressed that his recent slump was just another hurdle to overcome. “Realistically, this has happened to me since the first year I came into this organization so its been the same story over andd over again,” said Kadri, who sits fourth in team scoring with 25 points.dddddddddddd “Its getting easier to deal with.” Quiet since an explosive opening month – 13 points in 14 games – Kadri had just one point in nine games before Tuesdays mild breakout. He had just two assists total in the previous 19 games. “Nazzies full of confidence and thats a great thing,” said Carlyle on Monday afternoon. “[But] when your confidence leaves you, you have to find a way with our help to re-energize and thats what were trying to do with Nazzie. “My message to him was find a way to do something a little different. Go out there, look at it a little differently. Be a little bit stronger on the defensive side; focus on the defensive side because if you play good defence usually theres going to be offence that youre to be provided with. Do a little extra in the weight room. Do a little bit extra on the bike. Push yourself through the lull thats happening and sharpen yourself up.” Kadri also won 11 of 14 draws in 18-plus minutes on Tuesday. “I thought Nazzie was a lot more noticeable around the puck,” said Carlyle after the game. 3. Underlying Issues Shootout victories have often masked the deeper inconsistencies that remain with the Leafs – even to those in the room. A recent stretch saw the club pick up points in six consecutive games (4-1-2) – five of those outings concluding in the shootout – while not performing exceedingly well in consistent doses. “Everyone says were doing terrible,” said Tyler Bozak, who extended an eight-game point streak, “but our last seven games we were 4-1-2 before tonight. If we did that all year I think wed have a pretty good record. Weve just got to stay as confident as we can and build off the wins we do get.” 4. Olympic Downside The Maple Leafs will have three representatives at the upcoming Olympics in Sochi – Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk with the Americans and Nik Kulemin with the home-side Russians. And while there is an obvious degree of pride for the organization there is an admitted challenge and potential downside for head coach Randy Carlyle. “We think its a positive obviously,” said Carlyle late last week. “But on the other hand if we wanted to be selfish about the Toronto Maple Leafs, sometimes those things dont work out the way youd like them to work out … Theres going to be three weeks or the better part of two weeks anyways for them to commit to that team and then coming back to here after sometimes the emotions are flat. Some people dont have anything left.” Carlyle observed such a thing with Anaheim following the 2010 Olympics. The Ducks had seven Olympians in Vancouver, including three from the gold-medal winning Canadian squad. “They didnt have any emotion left when they got back,” he said of a group which included Scott Niedermayer, Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. “Its two or three weeks of high emotion and the last thing on their mind is where they came from. Theyre playing for their country and you can understand that.” 5. Gleasons Debut/Gunnarssons Injury Playing nearly 16 minutes on the top pair with Phaneuf, Tim Gleason made his Leaf debut against the Islanders. “I thought he played the way we expected him to play,” Carlyle said, noting the adjustment for Gleason to playing top minutes once more after seeing his role dwindle in Carolina. Gleason stepped into the lineup for Carl Gunnarsson, who missed his first game of the season with a hyper-extended left elbow. Gunnarsson had his arm bend awkwardly from a hit by the Rangers Carl Hagelin on Saturday. “I can tolerate the pain,” said the 27-year-old before the game, “but sometimes youve just got to try to be a little bit smart here. You can only do so much and tape it up so much and sometimes its not enough.” Gunnarsson actually suffered the same injury in 2010, but with increased severity – he missed 22 games. Stats-Pack 8 – Consecutive games with a point for Tyler Bozak, who has three goals and eight assists in that span. 6 – Consecutive starts for Jonathan Bernier. 5 – Regulation victories for the Leafs since the start of November. 15:55 – Ice-time for Tim Gleason in his Toronto debut. 6 – Points in the last 15 games for Nazem Kadri. 2 – Goals in the past 16 games for Mason Raymond, who scored his 12th of the year against the Islanders. 13 – Goals this season for Joffrey Lupul, who scored for the second straight game on Tuesday. 2 – Penalties drawn by Jerry DAmigo against the Islanders. Special Teams Capsule PP: 1-5Season: 21.7% (5th) PK: 0-1Season: 77.3% (27th) Quote of the Night “Weve obviously talked it to death trying to figure it out and if we had an answer then it wouldnt happen.” -Jay McClement, on the Leafs ongoing struggles. Up Next The Leafs head to Raleigh for a Thursday date with the Hurricanes. 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