R_Dudley

Whoa who is that defense man..

BS off backboard, off the net off the goalie. Puck luck strikes against

Wow very good first period. Nice team play all around... lets' go Buff-a-lo

Now this is how a top team looks when they play a lower ranked team. I'm a believer.... Uncle Terry is this what hockey heaven looks like...... Its beautiful...

Working, working, working.... all 4 lines a beautiful thing to see....

Finally this team starting the first period at home like a skilled top team should... Dominating the play and scoring.. Hockey heaven.......

Yeah baby number 1 line acts like a number 1 line........

Florida always seems to play well against us at least since we shared the farm with them (Americans). Someone remind Jack that Barkov outplayed him last game. We need a Boston, Matthews or OV like game from Jack tonight to even the score. So barring a no show we are the better team even if only in my eyes. Don't stop believin, hold onto that feeling, Goal Lights, Playoff's, Ohohohhhhhhhhhh! Let's Go Buff-a-lo..

What Must Leafs Nation Be Thinking Right Now? "Damn they just sent Tenneyson back to AHL before we got to play them. "

Just finished watching the Ducks beat the Pens at home with great goal tending, solid defense, and physical play what might be considered the old fashioned way in today's NHL. I don't think Good solid defense and goal tending ever go out of style. You get that and 4 lines playing and sharing the minutes you can win a series or two. I would like our chances against TO in a playoff with all our starting defense back from injuries. Note also watching Boston beating Montreal 4-0. Jumped back and forth between this and Pens game. Boston played physical with solid goal tending and defense and timely counter scoring... It works to win hockey games..

My bad if i made it sound like I know some secret. Nothing specific about his current shot drills or equipment choice either. Its a personal observation that he does not have a cannon point shot(yet) and his wrist shot has room for improvement as well (Velocity, quicker release, accuracy). Given he is still growing and will get stronger I suppose you could call it a Captain obvious reference that he should continue to work at it. Last I was watching the NHL channel and they were reviewing the custom sticks and work players do with the hockey company's.. Bauer sponsors Matthews, Kane, Laine, Toews. CCM does Crosby, Tavares, Ovechkin, McDavid. Easton was bought out by Bauer and got the players that used those sticks.The company's are willing to work with the Top players to customize the sticks to their liking. NHL channel reviewed the custom stick Bauer makes for Matthews. he worked with them in the off season and has a stick heavier and a bit thicker than all the new lighter weight ones. They designed the toe fatter and thinner down to the heel. Austin presses down on the blade from toe to heel to flex and load up the stick and add to its whip. Its thought to be a reason his shot is faster, harder and more deadly this year. Of course he was already uber talented and worked on his shot with the new stick in the off season and his accuracy with that shot is awesome. I would like our Rasmus to get the same treatment and use it to his and his teams advantage, that is all.

Yes indeed. Generational talent seems an appropriate label. Only 18 so since I have one of those(my oldest boy) I am aware that they do not reach full growth till often 23. Meaning Rasmus can still get bigger and stronger. Now I don't know if that might effect his balance and silky smoothness but in his case I hope not. One area I would like him to practice a bit more is his shot. All hockey players should always work on their shot especially trying out the different stick options that give that player the best result. Right now though trending up and sky's the limit.

Actually since I have been watching him closer, yes I do think he is better this year. Its weird because he looks clumsy and awkward doing it. His does not employ a typical direct fore check style and that had me feeling like he doesn't finish checks. He appears slow and like he's avoiding but he does engage and get tangled up with the opposing player and although he's never knocking anyone over he also is rarely knocked over himself. Through that all he often comes away with the puck or is able to make a pass through the entanglement. Upon further review and watching his wall play and defensive zone play i have new appreciation for his defensive effectiveness. Ugly but effective i'll call it.

Agreed its the best its been both ability and potential in some time, however I need to see Tennyson fall off the edge of that list.

Love to see that, 2nd in Div ahead of TO although they have a game in hand... This is going to be some fun hockey for next several months..

hahaha, Hey PA does that count as a statement game. On the road, 2nd of back to back, division rival chasing you, classic 4pt game and you grind out a win... That's hockey, boy its like breath of fresh air when you've gone so long w/o it...

Skinned, top line being a top line,,, Merry Christmas...

That is why coach PH keeps him off the ice in OT sometimes. Doesn't get the hard pucks often.

too happy at killing the penalty kept backing up instead of forcing the play... It ain't over yet,,, .

haha wow some tight edge of your seat hockey here, learning to like it a lot... Dominick 2.0 , no?

Ullmark playing like the Goalie we all hoped he'd become... Need him big here on penalty kill.

Playing with fire here boys. lets not forget forcing it vs backing up a bit too much..

yeah jack that was awesome.... whoa

Okay got the good goal tending and playing it even now lets get some offense going and capitalize on the chance and finish this on a win, I noticed watching the Sabres start running around a bit in their own end when Dahlin gets it on his stick with a little space he doesn't panic he just calms it right down.. We got this come'on boys, lets take this..

Oh, make it a statement game. Team chasing us in the division, 4pt swing... I like it...