Injury updates:
Philly
-D Kim Johnsson is close; he could go for game #3, from what I've heard, but I wouldn't be surprised if he waited for #4 due to the Flyers current control of the series
Toronto
-D Bryan McCabe, who took a hot shot off the ankle in game #2, is fine and will play
-Sundin is apparently getting a little better each day and, of course, he'll be on the ice
-Nolan won't go in #3
-word is that Nieuwendyk likely won't go, but all the talk in T.O. suggests that he could if Quinn would only be so bold (Joe said he was real close, and this was in a Monday interview); I say about 50-50 that he plays; we probably won't know for sure until just before game-time
As for the coach...
Today I will officially lose faith in Pat Quinn.
He has demonstrated way too much favoritism during his stint in Toronto. Both as GM (previously) and coach. Don Cherry made an excellent point in his schpeel after game #2, which demonstrates the point: Tie Domi, who has been one of the best Leafs this playoffs, had 9 minutes of ice-time in game #2. He contrasted this with Robert Reichel, who has been invisible most of the season (and playoffs--1 assist in 9 playoff games); Reichel had 19 minutes ice-time in game #2.
To make matters worse, word is that Mikael Renberg will be inserted into the lineup for game #3. Another option for Quinn would be rookie Matt Stajan who, from my perspective, was playing very well during the season before BANG!...Quinn goes and makes him a perpetual healthy scratch near the end of the campaign; Stajan has looked good in his brief appearances this playoffs, despite no points in his 3 games (Renberg has squat in his 2 appearances, and has taken costly penalties).
Tomas Kaberle, as well, has been detrimental to the Leafs this playoffs. Huge winger Wade Belak has played some defense, and actually has the balls to go into the corners, something which Kaberle refuses to do. Still, Quinn will stick with his man Kaberle on the premise that the Leafs need all the scoring prowess that they can put on the ice.
Bottom line is no secret--Leafs are in trouble.
I don't believe in Robert Esche, and I think that the Flyers D is the biggest factor in his success thus far. Leafs may bag some goals, being at home and all, but the Flyers appear to have found a way to score on Belfour--DON'T shoot from the point as much...shoot from BAD ANGLES...every goal, I think but one, has been produced this way.
One important factor this series is that Ken Hitchcock has coached Belfour before, when both were in Dallas. I believe he has passed on whatever weaknesses he perceived in Belfour's game along to the Flyers players.
As a majorly blue-and-white homer, I ain't touching the Flyers.
At -150 for the Leafs, I'll be a spectator and just pray.
Under 4.5 is tempting, as I'll be hoping for a Belfour performance, but a shutout seems very unlikely and, as I said, I don't think Esche is as good as the Leafs (and Jersey, for that matter) have made him look.
Flyers under 2 is another sick temptation, especially as if they crack that number (i.e. score 3+) then the Leafs chances of winning are negligable. At +100 I might try it, but -120 is a pass.
Good Fortune to any who see a worthwhile angle in this game.
For myself, as a fan, I fear,
it is once again wait 'til next year.
P.S.
While this is tough to prognosticate, my sense is that there is presently a 50-50 chance for a lockout in the NHL next year. I've seen a line available at +300 that the season starts on schedule, which would be a good play on a 50% proposition.
Bet-man and (not)Good-enough must realize that the upcoming WHA is going to pilfer players like crazy from the NHL, barring some reasonable negotiations between the Players Union and the NHL. I dunno...I just can't imagine it...1994 was a nightmare, and I would hope that these mothers could learn from the mistakes of others.
Time will tell.
Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.
P.P.S.S
No Blake for the AVs, but I still think that they'll take at least one.
Scary thought, but I think I like their chances better than the Leafs'.
Giving the AVs a 60% chance, here, makes the -150 line a coin-toss play--pretty pricey for a team that currently looks lost.
Have fun.
(Will Travel)
Philly
-D Kim Johnsson is close; he could go for game #3, from what I've heard, but I wouldn't be surprised if he waited for #4 due to the Flyers current control of the series
Toronto
-D Bryan McCabe, who took a hot shot off the ankle in game #2, is fine and will play
-Sundin is apparently getting a little better each day and, of course, he'll be on the ice
-Nolan won't go in #3
-word is that Nieuwendyk likely won't go, but all the talk in T.O. suggests that he could if Quinn would only be so bold (Joe said he was real close, and this was in a Monday interview); I say about 50-50 that he plays; we probably won't know for sure until just before game-time
As for the coach...
Today I will officially lose faith in Pat Quinn.
He has demonstrated way too much favoritism during his stint in Toronto. Both as GM (previously) and coach. Don Cherry made an excellent point in his schpeel after game #2, which demonstrates the point: Tie Domi, who has been one of the best Leafs this playoffs, had 9 minutes of ice-time in game #2. He contrasted this with Robert Reichel, who has been invisible most of the season (and playoffs--1 assist in 9 playoff games); Reichel had 19 minutes ice-time in game #2.
To make matters worse, word is that Mikael Renberg will be inserted into the lineup for game #3. Another option for Quinn would be rookie Matt Stajan who, from my perspective, was playing very well during the season before BANG!...Quinn goes and makes him a perpetual healthy scratch near the end of the campaign; Stajan has looked good in his brief appearances this playoffs, despite no points in his 3 games (Renberg has squat in his 2 appearances, and has taken costly penalties).
Tomas Kaberle, as well, has been detrimental to the Leafs this playoffs. Huge winger Wade Belak has played some defense, and actually has the balls to go into the corners, something which Kaberle refuses to do. Still, Quinn will stick with his man Kaberle on the premise that the Leafs need all the scoring prowess that they can put on the ice.
Bottom line is no secret--Leafs are in trouble.
I don't believe in Robert Esche, and I think that the Flyers D is the biggest factor in his success thus far. Leafs may bag some goals, being at home and all, but the Flyers appear to have found a way to score on Belfour--DON'T shoot from the point as much...shoot from BAD ANGLES...every goal, I think but one, has been produced this way.
One important factor this series is that Ken Hitchcock has coached Belfour before, when both were in Dallas. I believe he has passed on whatever weaknesses he perceived in Belfour's game along to the Flyers players.
As a majorly blue-and-white homer, I ain't touching the Flyers.
At -150 for the Leafs, I'll be a spectator and just pray.
Under 4.5 is tempting, as I'll be hoping for a Belfour performance, but a shutout seems very unlikely and, as I said, I don't think Esche is as good as the Leafs (and Jersey, for that matter) have made him look.
Flyers under 2 is another sick temptation, especially as if they crack that number (i.e. score 3+) then the Leafs chances of winning are negligable. At +100 I might try it, but -120 is a pass.
Good Fortune to any who see a worthwhile angle in this game.
For myself, as a fan, I fear,
it is once again wait 'til next year.
P.S.
While this is tough to prognosticate, my sense is that there is presently a 50-50 chance for a lockout in the NHL next year. I've seen a line available at +300 that the season starts on schedule, which would be a good play on a 50% proposition.
Bet-man and (not)Good-enough must realize that the upcoming WHA is going to pilfer players like crazy from the NHL, barring some reasonable negotiations between the Players Union and the NHL. I dunno...I just can't imagine it...1994 was a nightmare, and I would hope that these mothers could learn from the mistakes of others.
Time will tell.
Any thoughts on this matter would be appreciated.
P.P.S.S
No Blake for the AVs, but I still think that they'll take at least one.
Scary thought, but I think I like their chances better than the Leafs'.
Giving the AVs a 60% chance, here, makes the -150 line a coin-toss play--pretty pricey for a team that currently looks lost.
Have fun.
(Will Travel)
