Can the Leafs top their 61 shot effort against the Islanders? My guess is that their goal is to win on the scoreboard versus shot total.
While no official line-up was posted; we know that Christian Hanson is up and in the line-up for John Mitchell and Jamal Mayers will slide into the 4th line center slot leaving Wallin in the press box once again. Joey Macdonald will back up Gustavsson with Toskala out for 2 games or so.
I didn’t see much from the Kessel debut, however I did see this:
Don’t know about his shoulder- but welcome back buddy- better keep that head up. From all accounts it sounds like the general consensus was that he by FAR the best forward on the ice for the Maple Leafs and that Matt Stajan shouldn’t be too comfortable with his place alongside Kessel.
Lebrun has as good an overnight review of the game as anyone else I have seen:
“The 22-year-old star winger was downright dynamite Tuesday night in his Maple Leafs debut, dazzling the home fans with his speed and skill and launching 10 shots on goal at the Tampa Bay net, more shots than Lightning stars Vincent Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis combined.”
Downright dynamite. I love it. In time a percentage of those will either end up in the net or result in assists for Kessel.
“The former Bruins star did everything but score on this night, launching 19 shots in total toward the net, seven blocked by Lightning players and two missing the net. The puck was following him around all night.
I’m stunned he looked this good after missing all of training camp, preseason and the opening month of the regular season, recovering from shoulder surgery and, oh, playing his first game with a new team and new linemates.
In just one game, you see what kind of dimension Kessel brings to a Leafs lineup essentially devoid of top-six, high-end offensive talent. Tampa’s blueliners were backing up in a hurry when Kessel wheeled out of his zone with the puck. He opens that much ice around him thanks to his sizzling speed.”
Kessel is the offensive threat that the Maple Leafs haven’t had since, well, since ummmm, Doug Gilmour maybe?????
The problem facing Kessel, Brian Burke and Ron Wilson is that there is only one Phil Kessel on the Leafs. This team is now 1-12. So despite what anyone is saying with respect to positive signs, things improving, they can’t hide from that record. They are 1-12. In terms of timing, the schedule is fairly favorable to the buds. They don’t play again until Friday when they travel to Carolina to take on Paul Maurices ever struggling team before taking on the Red Wings at the unfriendly ACC. The Burke’s bunch has 7 games to play before they hit the 20 game plateau, the time when GM’s take stock in what they have and what they need. Right now it is hard to fathom how Burke sees nothing but holes in his lineup. 1-12 speaks volumes and despite what some in the MSM are saying, the Toronto Maple Leafs have a long way to go should they wish to be playing meaningful games after the holidays, let alone be anywhere near a playoff spot.
I have to believe by the way, that barring injury, the Finger experiment is going to come to an end with the Leafs pretty soon. They can’t keep a guy making that much dough with the club and in the press box. It’s too much money to be blowing under the cap to not have him in the minors. If he is not good enough to play with this group as a top performer than he should be down on the farm.
The word on the street was that a certain off season acquisition was to make his Blue and White season debut, but unfortunately that will not be the case. Leaf fans will have to wait one more day to see Phil Kessel play his first game. The Leafs are coming off an unsuccessful five game road trip and they welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning to the ACC tonight. The Lightning are second in the Southeast, but come in losers of their last two. One thing going right for Tampa is the play of Steven Stamkos. Stamkos has scored in six straight games and has eleven on the year. Expect goaltender Jonas Gustavsson to be between the pipes for Toronto in this one. Gustavvson’s last start was in Buffalo on Friday night was good even though it ended in a lose. Defenceman Tomas Kaberle was named the NHL’s first star of the week last week. In four games he had two goals and ten assists. The Leafs will need him to keep it up if they want to get that elusive second win.
On Hockey Central at Noon:
Howard Berger hosting today
On Leafs Lunch:
Greg Brady is hosting
Bob McKenzie at 12:40pm
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
The Toronto Blue Jays welcome the Tampa Bay Rays for their first visit to the Rogers Centre tonight. Amazing news for the Jays, as Roy Halladay (10-1) will make his first start since straining his groin. A win tonight and Doc will be the first 11 game winner in the majors. Tampa has been hot as of late. They’ve won five straight and are third in the American League East one game ahead of Toronto.
A couple intriguing games oversees at Wimbledon. On centre court it will be a French Open rematch as Roger Federer battles Robin Soderling. On the women’s side number three-seeded Venus Williams faces former number one Ana Ivanovic.
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
It’s pretty rare for a game involving the Washington Nationals to be considered the game of the day, but today is an exception. John Smoltz makes his Boston Red Sox debut in the last game of their three game set. Smoltz is the only pitcher in major league history to win over 200 games and have over 150 saves. Smoltz knows the Nationals well. Last season, while pitching with the Braves Smoltz struck out Washington’s Felipe Lopez to become the 16th member of the 3000 strikeout club. Flame thrower Jordan Zimmerman (2-3) gets the call for the Nats.
Hosting Greg Brady
1240 – Craig Hartsburgh on new coaching gig in whl
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
Game two of a three game set between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Cincinnati Reds goes tonight at the Rogers Centre. Scott Richmond (5-4) get the start for the Jays. Richmond’s set a career high in his last start, strucking out 11 Phillies en route to a 7-1 Toronto win. Bronson Arroyo (8-5) gets the call for the Reds. Toronto’s Scott Rolen has thrived in the four spot. He’s eighth in the league with .332 batting average. Richview Collegiate alum Joey Votto leads the Reds. Votto returned to the line-up last night and looks to keep leading his crew. He’s batting .354 with eight homers and 33 RBIS.
Sorry folks, having tech issues with wordpress. IF you want to go listen to podcasts here is who was on the lunch time shows.
On Hockey Central at Noon:
DAVE MORRISON LEAFS DIR OF SCOUTING
JOHN SHANNON LEAVES NHL
DAN BYLSMA
On Leafs Lunch:
Jamie Tawill is hosting
12:20 – Glenn Healy – nhlpa
12:40 – Evander Kane
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
t’s a repeat of last season’s World Series as the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Tampa Bay Rays i the first of a three game set. Unlike last postseason, the Phillies limp into this one losers of their last six, getting back-to-back broom treatments by the Blue Jays and Orioles. The Rays come in on a two game winning streak taking two of three from the Mets. The starting pitchers in this one are on opposite ends of their careers. Father-time Jamie Moyer (4-6) toes the rubber for Philly and rookie David Price (1-1) gets the call for Tampa. With homerun and RBI leader Raul Ibanez on the 15-day DL, the Phillies hope slugger Ryan Howard is over the flu and back in the line-up.
12:25 DEan Brown, voice of the Senators
12:40 Steve Milton, Hamilton Spectator
On Leafs Lunch:
Jamie Tawill is hosting
12:00- 12:40 Calls- If you are Brian Burke are the Sedin tiwns worth giving Zetterberg type money too? (TSM TAKE: NOOOOOOOOO)
12:40 – Darren Dreger
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
Whether you like golf or not, you do not want to miss the opening round of the US Open at Bethpage Black. Tiger Woods looks to repeat as champion, but this time with the use of both of his legs. Phil Mickelson would love to win for his wife. Mike Weir won the Masters in similiar type conditions, but Augusta is no Bethpage Black. This course is extremely long and it looks like it’ll be wet, setting up for a difficult time for anyone looking to win the silver trophy.
Hey folks, new double feature here on TSM. Many of you have asked and the fine folks at both The Fan and 640 Toronto have agreed to provide advance lineups for Hockey Central At Noon and Leafs Lunch respectively. In addition to that, Toronto Sports Media in partnership with the College of Sports Media will be bringing you the TSM Game of the night, providing you with insight into what game you should check out on the night in question. It may not always be a Toronto team playing. So…without further ado, here are the lineups for the shows at noon:
On Hockey Central at Noon:
Roger Lajoie hosting today
1210 Mark Spector from Sportsnet
1225 Stan Butler Coach GM Brampton Battalion on the Draft (Matt Duchene)
1240 John Tavares TBC
On Leafs Lunch:
Jamie Tawill is hosting
12:20 – Steven Stamkos
12:40 – Chris Campoli – sens dman on Heatley wanting out
College of Sports Media Game of the Night:
Game of the night?? It’s the Argo’s preseason opener! A new coach and new era???
