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TORONTO – The backbone of many wins this season, special teams and goaltending were unable to lift the Leafs to victory once more in an otherwise forgettable
performance Thursday night. Custom Blackhawks Jersey . Nashville scored a pair of power-play goals and Jonathan Bernier yielded four goals on 28 shots as
the Leafs five-game home win streak came to an end in a 4-2 defeat. "We didnt
play well enough," said captain Dion Phaneuf simply after the game. "I dont
think you can say much more than that." While they scored first for the eighth
time in 11 games at home – Peter Hollands first with the club – the Leafs seemed
to fizzle out as the final two periods wore on at the ACC. A handful on the
forecheck in the opening frame they were increasingly outworked and
outmaneuvered by a pesky and relentless Predators squad. "I think our team, they
all fit into the same category for us," said head coach Randy Carlyle following
the loss, just the third at home for the Leafs this season (8-3-0). "We were
flat after the first period. We didnt seem to have any energy, we didnt seem to
have any enthusiasm and it just displayed that out on the ice surface."
Seth Jones evened the score just over two minutes into the middle frame, his
point shot on the man advantage redirecting off the stick of Jay McClement
before beating Bernier. The goal marked the first of four straight for the
Predators, who have now won three in a row. Matt Cullen would give Nashville the
lead midway through period, capitalizing on lax defensive coverage. Craig Smith
added a pair thereafter, including the second of two power-play goals for the
Predators. Like their penalty kill – which allowed two goals for just the second
time all season – the Toronto power-play (no. 1 on home ice this season) also
endured a fruitless night, empty on just two opportunities. "It just seemed like
the game turned and we couldnt get it back," Carlyle said. A source of so much
success and stability for the better part of the season, elite special teams and
terrific goaltending have propelled the Leafs to victory on many nights where it
might not have been deserved otherwise. But on this night, those two elements
could not propel an otherwise listless performance. Five Points 1. Stumbles on
the penalty kill The second-ranked unit last season, the Toronto penalty kill
hasnt been quite so dominant so far this year. Yielding a pair to the Predators,
the special teams unit dropped to 15th best, successful to the tune of 82.4 per
cent. Asked if hed been happy with the penalty kill, Carlyle replied, "Not
lately. "Our penalty killing has been one of our stronger suits. I think that in
the last couple of games weve been exposed. We havent cleared the puck when we
have an opportunity – the oppositions been able to keep it in. Faceoffs, we
havent got hold-ups at the proper times to get the puck down the ice to 200
feet. Those are the things that you look at and try to dissect and evaluate."
Jones scored the first power-play goal on the aforementioned redirection. On the
second marker late in that same period, it was Smith who beat Phaneuf to the
front of the net before eluding Bernier. "My guy beats me back to the net,"
Phaneuf said. "Thats just a mistake that shouldnt happen, but they do and weve
got to be better as a penalty killing unit. We know that." The Leaf penalty kill
has actually been at its worst on home ice. The unit has allowed eight
power-play goals on 36 opportunities (77.8 per cent). Certainly an aid to the
group when healthy, Mark Fraser missed his second straight game with a left knee
injury. 2. Berniers rare off-night versus Nashville Bernier played his 10th
career game against Nashville on Thursday night – the most for him individually
against any team – losing for just the second time (8-2-0). The 25-year-old, who
shut out the Predators on Oct. 10 – his first as a Leaf – entered the night with
a mighty .941 save percentage lifetime against a former Western Conference
opponent, but was beaten on four of the final 19 shots. The final marker, the
second from Smith, was fired innocently from along the boards, bouncing off the
glove of Bernier and awkwardly into the net. "Ive got to make sure Im focused
all game," said Bernier, who allowed four-plus goals for the third time this
season. "It just happens. Those kind of goals will happen in my career. Ive just
got to bounce back." Bernier still ranks eighth among save percentage leaders
with a .934 mark this season. 3. Goalie dance The Leafs goalie tandem has been
about the most successful aspect of the club through the opening quarter of the
season. Still early, the tandem approach was worked about as well as general
manager Dave Nonis could have imagined when he swung the trade for Bernier in
the summer. "This isnt uncommon," said Carlyle of the tandem approach, always
baffled by the constant attention surrounding the position in Toronto. "Terry
Sawchuk and Johnny Bower played together didnt they? ... Grant Fuhr and Andy
Moog were a pretty good tandem in Edmonton in their dynasty years. So there are
examples that you can go back to where there has been two goaltenders that have
went in and played very well for their hockey club. I think its a sign of
strength and I think its a great thing for the organization." Of late, the load
in goal has leaned in Berniers direction. Thursday marked his fourth start in
the past five games and fifth in seven games this month. 4. Kadri on the edge
Former Marlies coach and Oilers bench boss Dallas Eakins often said that
Nazem Kadri was at his best on the edge, most effective when enraging the
opposition with a belligerent style. "Yeah I agree for sure," said Kadri,
returning from a three-game suspension against the Predators. "Especially when
things arent going exactly your way you tend to lean to that physical side to
get you in the game. If its taking a big hit or a giving a big hit, whatever it
is, it kind of wakes you up a little bit and gets you emotionally involved in
the game. I think [Dallas] is right and I think he knows me pretty well as a
player. I know myself as a player too and sometimes I do have to look to that
area to get myself going." Kadri, who was suspended for accidentally running
Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom on Nov. 13, said he often has to remind himself
on the bench to activate such a game. "If Im not handling the puck or I feel
like Im not getting some of the bounces I might just chip it in and go hard as
an F1 and try and lay someone out – and hit em clean obviously," he said. "That
doesnt just only get yourself going it gets the whole team going. Youd be
surprised the reaction you get from the bench." The 23-year-old played 15
minutes in his return against the Predators, scoring a late goal, his sixth this
season. Kadri started the game alongside Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, but
was flipped onto a unit with Mason Raymond and Colton Orr in the third. "I think
he fit in with the rest of our group," said Carlyle of Kadri. 5. Hollands
opportunity In his third game with the Leafs, Holland found the back of the net.
Pouncing on a puck in the neutral zone, following board battle win from Nik
Kulemin, Holland was able to sling one past Predators goaltender Marek Mazanec.
With Kadri back from suspension and Tyler Bozak likely to return on Saturday,
future opportunity for Holland is certainly in question. "How can it not be on
your mind?" said the 22-year-old honestly. "Obviously Naz was back tonight and
Bozaks coming back from injury. [But] Im just trying to focus on my game and
help this team win." Concluding the night alongside Kessel and van Riemsdyk,
Holland played just over 13 minutes against Nashville, dropping eight of 12
faceoffs. Carlyles looming decision at centre ice – at least in the short-term –
will likely come down to Holland and Trevor Smith, who had a three-game point
streak snapped on Thursday night. One of the two is likely to line up in the
third line centre hole when Bozak returns. Bonus Point – Kessels status Thursday
marked the fourth time in the past five games that Phil Kessel logged fewer than
16 minutes – 15:27 on this night. Though he scored a pair against the Islanders
two nights earlier, Kessel has proven relatively quiet offensively in recent
weeks. Asked if he was playing through injury, Carlyle sidestepped carefully. "I
think all our players have bumps and bruises," he said. "They all have their
ailments." Stat-Pack 2 – Number of times the Leafs have allowed two power-plays
in a game this season. 8-2-0 – Career record for Jonathan Bernier against
Nashville. 8 – Number of times the Leafs have scored first at the ACC this
season. 77.8 per cent – Success rate for the penalty kill on home ice,
fifth-worst this season. 8 – Points this season for Morgan Rielly, fourth among
rookie defenders. Rielly had a pair of assists on Thursday, his second
multi-assist game this season. 5 – Consecutive games with a point for
Mason Raymond, who notched an assist on the goal from Kadri. 17 – Points for
Raymond this season, second on the team and five back of the 22 points he had in
46 games last season. 59.8 per cent – Success rate for Jerred Smithson on the
draw as a Leaf. Smithson went 8-for-9 in the circle against his former team.
Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-2Season: 23.6 per cent PK: 2-4Season: 82.4 per cent
Quote of the Night "Maybe the luck and good fortune that weve enjoyed has turned
against us in this game." -Randy Carlyle on the unlucky goals Nashville managed
against his team on Thursday night. Up Next The Leafs continue a five-game home
stand on Saturday night, playing host to former Leaf Mikhail Grabovski and the
Washington Capitals. Trevor Van Riemsdyk Blackhawks Jersey . The teams all-time leading scorer, DeRo has won everything there is to win in MLS.
Pierre Pilote Jersey . Ibrahimovic put PSG ahead when he got in front of his marker to neatly flick in Lucass cross in the
59th minute. New signing Yohan Cabaye came on as a second-half substitute and
headed Ezequiel Lavezzis cross against the post in the 87th. Moments later,
Lucas set up another goal from the right when fellow countryman Alex turned in
his corner with a strikers finish. WINNIPEG -- Paul Maurice wasnt in the mood to
be a coroner. The head coach of the Winnipeg Jets watched his teams playoff
hopes die with a 4-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. "Weve got a
week to do the autopsy, lets do it later," a grim-faced Maurice told reporters.
Pittsburgh defenceman Paul Martin, who missed the last 18 games because of a
broken hand, scored the winner 11 seconds into a power play at 7:42 of the third
period. Centre Brian Gibbons added the insurance marker when the Jets turned
over the puck and he beat goalie Ondrej Pavelec with a low shot at 16:24. Greg
Adams and Beau Bennett, also on the power play, had the other goals, while
Sidney Crosby added a pair of assists for the Penguins (49-23-5), who clinched
the NHLs Metropolitan Division title. Marc-Andre Fleury made 13 saves for his
37th win of the season, while Pavelec stopped 17 shots. Jets forward
Olli Jokinen scored his 17th of the season and defenceman Zach Redmond marked
his first. Blake Wheelers assist on Jokinens goal gave him a career-high 65
points this season. "We missed the net 18 times. Thats more shots than we put on
goal," said Maurice, who was sporting a cut forehead from an errant puck. "So
that, to me, was the difference from our offensive point of view." The Winnipeg
franchise hasnt made the playoffs since the team was the Atlanta Thrashers in
2006-07. Dallas and Phoenix are tied with 85 points for the final wild-card spot
in the Western Conference, but the Stars have a game in hand. They also still
play each other. Winnipeg has 78 points (34-34-10) and only four games left in
the season. Maurice took over on Jan. 12 after Claude Noel was fired and sparked
the squad to nine victories in his first 11 games behind the bench. Hes now
15-11-5 in trying to turn around the club and has a believer in Jokinen. "Since
Pauls got here, I think everybodys been buying into the system," Jokinen said.
"I know weve been in every game. Its been close games.. Michal Rozsival Blackhawks Jersey. I think from that standpoint, looking early in the year, its been a big change and I
think the teams been going in the right direction." Bennett had the only goal of
the first period on the power play. Winnipeg then went ahead with two straight
markers, but Adams tied it up with under two minutes left in the second. Jets
defenceman Mark Stuart was in the penalty box for both of Pittsburghs power-play
goals. "Its not like were playing bad. Were doing a lot of good things and were
playing our asses off," Winnipeg defenceman Adam Pardy said. "Were just not
getting results. Its tough, its frustrating. Were battling a lot of injuries.
Its been a tough road for us. Its definitely frustrating, but we just got to
keep moving ahead and keep trying to create an identity as a team and as a group
of players." Fleury said reaching the goal of winning their division is only a
first step. "I dont think weve been playing the best hockey lately and the best
that we can do," he said. "Were missing some key guys in the lineup, too." It
was only Pittsburghs third victory in its past seven games. Martins return was
praised by coach Dan Bylsma and Crosby. "Hes really patient," Crosby said. "His
poise back there, his patience with the puck. Hes just really smart and that
kind of calming aspect brings a lot to the power play." Martin actually led all
skaters in ice time with 23:46. The game was the first of a three-game road trip
for the Penguins, who head to Minnesota for a match against the Wild on
Saturday. Winnipeg plays in Toronto on Saturday. Notes: With the win tonight,
Bylsma marked his 250th career regular-season victory, the fastest coach in NHL
history to reach that milestone in his 396th games. Anaheims Bruce Boudreau won
250 games in 416 games ... Penguin Brooks Orpik was playing in his 700th game
... Its the second time in franchise history that Pittsburgh has won
back-to-back division titles, with the last in 1992-93 and 93-94. Cheap Jerseys ' ' '