From my blog
Quote:
The Good
Kassian didn’t look out of place at all. He also had great chemistry with Ennis, even apart from the goal they combined for.
The penalty kill was as fantastic as always. Rob Niedermayer will be a big factor there.
Morrisonn-Myers is indeed a great pair. Both players were physical and shut down the Leafs very well.
Good compete level, as they say in hockey.
Vanek’s roughing was great. Sent a message that even the skill players aren’t going to take guff.
The Bad
Gaustad’s delay of game. I hate that penalty (So does @shelbygriswold – she named her blog after it!).
Luke Adam, Drew Schiestel, and Brayden McNabb didn’t have the best games. It’s a good thing not one of those players are trying to make the Sabres or I’d be worried.
The Leafs ought to look very different on Monday, which means more veterans in the line-up.
Nazem Kadri and Mike Komisarek. Kadri was a -2 and looked generally bad, while Komisarek was getting tossed around and didn’t answer the challenge Kassian threw down. Should be better on Monday after some rest.
The Ugly
Still too many Slugs in HSBC Arena. Doug Allen’s rug, the scoreboard, the miniature Sabres stores, and numerous vending kiosks. Salt that motherpuncher.
Closing Thoughts
People have a right to be excited about Kassian after seeing him register some solid hits, challenge a veteran, assist Tyler Ennis on the game winning goal, and play a very capable game. But they need to understand that the Leafs will probably be icing more veterans on Monday and it’ll be harder for him to compete at such a high level. I would leave the Morrisonn-Myers pair alone and have them form the #1 pair for the regular season. They played great together, were both physical, and made some great passes that implied strong instant chemistry. I would expect one of McNabb or Schiestel out of the line-up for Monday, and possibly Adam, too.
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