TORONTO – The workload is rising again.
Jurrell
Casey Titans Jersey . And like the near entirety of last season, Jonathan
Bernier and Torontos goaltending tandem is up to the task. Bernier turned down
40 Anaheim shots Tuesday night as the Leafs rolled to their sixth straight
victory and 10th in the last 12 games (10-1-1). Despite the stunning string of
success over the past month, head coach Randy Carlyle wisely noted that his team
has slipped recently. Theyve allowed an average of 37 shots in the past nine
games, but have had the goaltending and mighty offence to hold strong. Leaf
goalies have combined for a superb .939 save percentage since Nov. 29. Bernier
has carried that bulk of that workload, mustering a .936 mark himself in his
last seven starts, yielding two or less in five of them. Obviously the shot
totals got to get down, said Nazem Kadri following a 6-2 win over the
West-leading Ducks, but the way Bernies been playing, hes got those so I dont
think were too worried about that. Bernier did most of his damage in the early
going. He turned down 30 of the 31 shots he faced over the first two periods,
including a pair on Ryan Getzlaf on a late first period Ducks power play. Later,
after the Leafs pounced for their second goal, he made a fine save on Ryan
Kesler. He made some big stops for us early in the hockey game, Carlyle said. It
seemed like wed weather a little bit of a storm, wed get a chance and wed score
so it made us feel good about ourselves. And he was the main reason that we put
ourselves in a position to win the hockey game. Berniers counterpart, Frederik
Andersen didnt fare quite as well. Making his 19th straight start in goal,
Andersen was pulled after the fourth Toronto goal, one that saw Kadri outwait
Ducks defender Mark Fistric, before firing the puck into the upper reaches of
the Anaheim cage. The Leafs would add two more goals after that, burying Anaheim
in the third. Theyve scored in crazy bunches during the past month, scorching
with 49 goals during the 12-game run (or more than four per game). Thats kept
the recent slippage in overall performance in the background, but has Carlyle
rightfully concerned no less. Now I feel that we are slipping, he said of the
teams recent play, which has included wins over powerhouses from Detroit, L.A.
and now Anaheim. We have to get back to that more energetic, more stop-and-go,
more straight-line hockey. Carlyle felt his team lacked energy and a forceful
forecheck against the Ducks, who often bullied their way to long stretches in
the Toronto zone. But we won, said Carlyle, in a triumphant mood. Bernier,
meanwhile, has turned things around after a so-so start to the season. Tuesdays
40-save performance pushed him up to a .922 save percentage after 22 starts,
good for ninth-best among regular NHL starters. His .932 mark at even-strength
is also back at the superb level he managed in his debut as a Leaf last season.
The worst shot suppression team in the league a year ago, the Leafs are fourth
from the bottom so far this year, yielding nearly 34 per game. Five Points 1.
Killer Instinct The Leafs are an astounding 14-0-0 when they score first this
season, one of only two teams with an unbeaten record (Montreal being the
other). Toronto is also a coinciding 13-0-0 when leading after two periods. Up
2-1 after 40 minutes on Tuesday, the Leafs scored a pair in the first five
minutes of the third; that highlight marker from Kadri and the first of David
Booths Toronto tenure. I think were getting much better when we have the lead,
said Bernier. We keep playing hard. And I think last year maybe we would stop
playing and they would come with a lot of speed. There were times last year when
we went into games with the lead in the third period when we didnt have that
killer instinct that we have today, addedJoffrey Lupul, scoring his seventh of
the year early into the middle period. The Leafs were actually 27-9-4 last year
when they scored first – good for only 19th best overall – and 26-1-2 when
leading after two periods. 2. Top Line Torontos top line has been a constant
source of production on the power play all year, but has sputtered at
even-strength over the past month, spending long stretches in the defensive
zone. í think it starts in the offensive zone, Carlyle said before Tuesdays
game. I think that, at times, theyve been a one-and-out [offence]. Theyre a rush
line that has to try to develop more of a puck-possession game in the offensive
zone. I think thats more important than anything. Its 200 feet away from their
net. Theyve got to find ways to maybe stop up and not take the bad angle shot
and get two guys caught or three guys caught. I think that theyre quality
players that will find a way to do that, he concluded. I just think right now
theyre in a little bit of a dry spell. And indeed, the trio of Phil Kessel,
Tyler Bozak, and James van Riemdsyk had a much better night in that regard
against the Ducks. The line came up with three of the six Toronto goals –
including a pair at even-strength – sustaining more frequent stints in the
offensive zone. Carlyle gave them lighter competition, however, matching the
trio up against the Ducks youth-infused third unit of Andrew Cogliano, Rickard
Rakell and Jakob Silfverberg. In my mind, they should have a good night if
theyre playing up against the youth of Anaheim right now, said Carlyle. Kessel
had two even-strength points in the victory, equaling the mark he had in the
previous 11 games (minus empty-netters). The 27-year-old, who also led his team
in possession against the Ducks, has six goals in the past eight games and leads
the Leafs with 34 points in 31 games. 3. Studying Getzlaf Drafted by the Ducks
in 2009, Peter Holland only suited up in 29 games with the club, but he got a
brief, up-close look at Ryan Getzlaf. Hes continued to study Anaheims captain
since then, even watching video of about five of his games so far this year.
Just trying to take little bits and pieces from his game and try to incorporate
it into my own, says Holland. His patience with the puck is top of the league,
for sure. He just seems to know where the quiet areas of the ice are and he can
hold onto the puck for a couple extra seconds before he makes a pass. The game
slows down for him. Holland says Getzlafs presence on the ice is incredible and
hes doing what he can to work some of the aforementioned tactics into his own
game. Im trying to, yeah, said the 24-year-old. Its a lot easier said than done
obviously, but just watching the way he handles the puck and distributes it is
something special to be honest. Holland, who had an assist in the victory, split
the matchup against Getzlafs line on Tuesday night – Kadris line being the other
– spending the other half of the evening opposite the equally challenging unit
fronted by Ryan Kesler. 4. Home Ice The Leafs now have a league-high 14 wins at
home – while playing the most games – taking full advantage of a comfy early
schedule. Theyll play 17 of their next 22 on the road though, a huge mountain to
climb with the World Juniors coming to the ACC for the latter stages of
December. Its going to be a different challenge, for sure, said Lupul. Its
weird, at the start of the year it seemed we were more comfortable playing on
the road than at home and now we obviously have a good thing going here. Toronto
has a plus-17 goal differential at home versus a plus-4 mark in just 10 games on
the road. 5. 100 Morgan Rielly crossed the 100-game plateau last week in
Detroit, a feat celebrated by his teammates. Its obviously a pretty cool moment,
he said later of the recognition. Riellys sophomore season hasnt been all ups
though. Hes endured the predictable swings of a young defender in the league.
But of late, the 20-year-old has been more actively involved in the play,
finding something of a groove. I think so, he agreed. [But] I think its just a
matter of trying to be consistent. Ive had times where I think Ive played well
and Ive been happy with it and I think the coaches have been happy with it as
well. But its about doing that every night. You cant do it in spurts, youve got
to be consistent and thats what Ive got to work on. For Rielly, the key to that
consistency is the asset that made him a top-5 pick: his skating. I think youve
got to be involved in the play and youve got to try to make a difference, he
said. You cant be a passenger. Youve got to help this team in each way you can,
whether its carrying the puck, whether its playing defence, blocking point
shots; youve just got to do what you can and try to help the team. Rielly played
more than 21 minutes against the Ducks. He and partner, Stephane Robidas,
struggled at times with the size and strength of their Western Conference
opponents though. Stats Pack 17 – Even-strength points for Nazem Kadri this
season, third-best on the Leafs. .936 – Save percentage for Jonathan Bernier in
his past seven starts. 7-2-1 – Leafs record against the West this season. 49 –
Goals in the past 12 games for the Leafs. 37 – Average shots allowed by the
Leafs in the past nine games. 14-7-0 – Leafs home record. Special Teams Capsule
PP: 1-3 Season: 21% PK: 2-2 Season: 84% Quote of the Night Youve gotta like it.
- Randy Carlyle, upon being informed that the Leafs were 14-0-0 when scoring
first. Up Next The Leafs visit the Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Kendall
Wright Titans Jersey . Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist as the New
York Islanders earned a 2-1 win over Ottawa Wednesday, leaving the Senators five
points out of a playoff spot with just five games to play and four teams ahead
of them.
Chance
Warmack Titans Jersey . Josh Bailey had a goal and an assist as the New
York Islanders earned a 2-1 win over Ottawa Wednesday, leaving the Senators five
points out of a playoff spot with just five games to play and four teams ahead
of them.
http://www.thetitansfansclub.com/Black-Friday-Da-Norris-Searcy-Jersey/ . Erik Logan, president of the network, said Friday that the postponement was
made after meetings with the St. Louis Rams.Rangers boss Mark Warburton has
refuted reports that he and striker Martyn Waghorn have fallen out. Warburton
concedes Waghorn has become frustrated over his lack of playing time at Ibrox
but has assured the former Leicester man that his time will come.Waghorn has
been on the bench for Rangers last four games and has not scored a goal in the
Scottish Premiership since the opening day of the season, his only goals since
coming when he notched a hat-trick against Queen of the South in the Betfred Cup
on September 20. That has led to speculation Waghorn was looking for a move back
to England but Warburton has praised the 26-year-old for knuckling down in
training and backed him to succeed once he forces his way back into the side.
Six months half price Upgrade to Sky Sports to watch Man Utd v Arsenal on
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big fallout, which was quite interesting, Warburton said ahead of Rangers return
to domestic action against Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday afternoon.Waggy knocked
on the door and said: Have we fallen out gaffer? I said: Not as far as Im aware,
Waggy. Far from it.He started five gammes in a row.
Dexter
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When he is starting there are other guys that are frustrated. The decision
(assistant manager) David (Weir) and I made was to increase the squad size from
21 to 23 because last year we literally ran out of bodies by the cup final.
Waghorn has spent much of his time on Rangers bench since scoring a hat-trick
against Queen of the South So we had to add numbers, which we did. That means if
everyone is fit and well you are going to have one or two frustrated
players. The answer? Work harder, just work harder. The hard work will be
recognised and we will pick you. But there is no doubt about Waggys attitude. He
is a first-class professional.He is frustrated but he shows it by working
harder. When his time comes, which it will do shortly, then Im sure he will be
in shape to take it.Upgrade to Sky Sports now to watch Man Utd v Arsenal this
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