Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE
A few random thoughts after watching the Colorado Avalanche beat the Toronto Maple Leafs last night:
- While the team is off to a good start, the Leafs have proven capable of stretches of complete incompetence. The first period of three of the four games the team has played so far (the Senators game the only exception) featured the blue and white's disturbing habit of looking lost and listless after the opening faceoff.
- Something is up with Luke Schenn, who has responded to his new contract by being completely outplayed by Mike Komisarek. Not good. Schenn's ice time in the four games this year: 22:06, 18:17, 13:54 and 14:21.
- Can anyone explain what the plan is on the power play? Full marks to the Avs for using their speed to pressure the puck well last night, but the Leafs didn't exactly make it tough on their opponents. I know Phil Kessel is off to a hot start, but I'm not sure a unit that is struggling to produce sustained pressure on the man advantage should be trying drop passes at centre ice to get the puck on his stick. Keep it simple boys: shots and traffic in front.
The Winnipeg Jets are in town on Wednesday night (get the Kyle Wellwood tribute video ready!) to wrap up this season opening five-game homestand.
Your links:
James Mirtle's story on last night's game.
David Shoalts on the impressive young Avalanche.
Toronto Star columnist Damien Cox enjoys Gabriel Landeskog's work. We agree.
The Star's Dave Feschuk on what he's learned about the Leafs so far.
Hockey News columnist Ken Campbell says the Kessel - Seguin trade is getting interesting.
Our friend Michael Langlois at Vintage Leaf Memories has a few thoughts of his own on last night's game.