All is not lost in Leaf Land

On a positive note, goaltender Jonas Gustavsson played a solid game and made some spectacular saves to keep the Leafs close.  The Maple Leaf defense played a relatively solid game allowing only two goals against on thirty two shots on net.  The penalty kill was perfect again allowing no goals on two power plays for the Rangers.  The Leafs were generating chances for themselves by drawing five power plays and creating some solid scoring chances.  Colby Armstrong scored his first goal of the season on a "crash the net" type goal that we know he is accustomed too.

On the flip side, the Maple Leaf defense core had a momentary lapse and allowed the Rangers to crash the net and take advantage of loose pucks in the crease to jump ahead 2-0 in the first period.  The number of blocked shots was twelve, while the Rangers managed to block thirty!  The puck support by the team was disjointed as the gap between forwards and defense was too wide during the transition making it easy for the Rangers to defend the Leaf attack.  To compound the issue further, the Rangers got burned the the quick transition of the Leafs and were well prepared by clogging the neutral zone and playing a defensive game.

The Leafs can refocus for the Flyers on Saturday who are going to play a similar defensive style that the Rangers played last night.  Supporting the puck in all three zones is going to require the most attention for the Leafs, since they have gotten away from this in the last two losses.    Scoring 4+ goals every night is not going to happen often in the NHL, low scoring games are more the norm.  Having multiple strategies on offense that include dump and chase or  outnumbering the other team down low and around the crease to generate "lunch bucket" goals will be necessary.  The loss should serve as a reality check to the Leafs that every night will require 100% effort of smart hockey combined with outworking the other team.

Can the Leafs not allow Avery to change game plan?

With injuries to the New York Rangers, look for the team to play a tighter defensive road game.  For the Leafs to come away with two points tonight, the game plane does not change much from the previous match Friday.  See the post titled "Do the Rangers have something to prove against the Leafs?".
The Rangers are still an offensive threat without Drury and Gaborick.  Sean Avery has shown he can be a very effective at intimidating and creating scoring chances every time he is on the ice.  Avery is very good at being the focus of the opposite team such that his line-mates fly under the radar and are allowed to be more effective.  The Rangers are a fast team and the defensemen are offensive minded.  For the Leafs to be successful, they need to move the play behind the net and along the boards in the offensive zone and create plays down low.  When the Ranger defenders are outnumbered down low, they tend to turn over the puck and give up quality scoring chances.  The Rangers saving grace for their defensive woes is Henrik Lundqvist, who regularly makes spectacular saves to keep his team close and even steal games.  The hallmark for the Leafs defensive success has been the number of blocked shots, timely saves and limited turn over of the puck.  If the Leafs stay the course on defense and not force the offense, the outcome will be favorable once again.

Why a good start does not translate into a playoff position.

Coming off a hard earned win against Pittsburgh, the Leafs now boast a 3-0-0 record heading to New York to play the Rangers. The undefeated streak is nice but the Leafs need only to look to their next opponent to realize even a 7-1-0 record does not translate into a playoff spot.

The New York Rangers were the toast of the NHL starting the 2009-10 season with a 7-1 record, losing the first game of the season. With a new coach John Tortorella, the Rangers were well prepared ahead of schedule and managed an impressive record to start the season. As soon as the other teams started to catch up and raise the compete levels against the Rangers, the lead in the standings started to disappear. Even a strong finish by the Rangers could not help the team get into the Playoffs.

Do the Rangers have something to prove against the Leafs?

The New York Rangers may have lost to the New York Islanders 6-4, but the game was much closer than you think. If not for a two man disadvantage in the dying minutes of the third period, the Rangers could have won this game. The key to the Islander win was to have the forwards be aggressive on the forecheck and cause the Ranger defense to turn over the puck. If the Rangers are able to setup in the offensive zone, they like to cyle the puck low and then pass to the point for a shot on net with the forwards crashing the crease for rebounds and tip-ins. The Ranger forwards are fast and will keep the Leafs on their toes. The key to stopping the Ranger point shot is to try and block them. If the point shot gets through, the Rangers will almost always generate a quality scoring chance since most of the shots are well placed on net.

The Ranger powerplay was scary good against the Islanders. Callahan was effective in front of net blocking the goalie view and trying to deflect pucks. Dubinsky has a very good point shot, especially on the PP. Rangers use the point shot heavily on the PP. Rangers will always try for the shot from the point and the forwards will position themselves for the deflection.

Stepan may be a rookie but he is for real. Gaborick & Anisimov are very good deep in the defensive zone and can cycle well. Gaborick will look for Anisimov with a pass since he has a very good snap shot.

On the PK, the Rangers forwards are very good at shot blocking and are going to be aggressive to attack the points. The key to a successful PP would be to outnumber the Rangers defenders down low and cycle the puck around the crease. The attacking forwards should outnumber the Ranger defense down low if the forward setup a triangle formation in front of the net ready to tip in the rebound or have a stick on the ice to slap the puck into an open net.

Pens are a Crouching Tiger.

Penguins are limping into wednesday game against the Leafs as the favorite but have not shown their true form yet. Toronto needs to be better on defense or the Pens will make quick work of turnovers. Thanksgiving gave the players a well deserved rest but if the Leafs head into Pittsburgh thinking they are matched evenly against them, think Sidney Crosby. If Sid has a breakout game that everyone knows he is overdue for, it could be a long night for Toronto.

Should Toronto allow Pittsburgh to establish a passing game deep in the defensive zone, pray that whoever is in net plays spectacular.