Young Leafs Look Solid
January 14th, 2010 by SteveSo the young #1 line of the Leafs played pretend at being a top line in the NHL earlier tonight. Phil Kessel, Nikolai Kulemin, and Tyler Bozak combined for 2 goals, 5 points, 9 shots, and a +6 rating against the Philadelphia Flyers. Bozak’s goal was probably the prettiest effort a Leaf has scored since last season’s goal by Hagman against the Panthers where he deked out half their team. Kessel didn’t score a goal, but he registered 2 assists, with the second of the pretty set up variety, as he fed Kulemin for a gimme.
Bozak now has 4 points in his first 3 games in the NHL, while Kulemin has 3 goals and 2 assists in his last 6 games. Kessel also seems prepared to awake from his offensive slumber as he has registered 4 assists in his last 3 games. Despite a lack of goals from Kessel, points are points, and his ability to create offense is more important to the Leafs than anything.
In essence, the young offensive players on the Leafs led the charge against a physical Flyers squad. Jay Rosehill also contributed, scoring a goal that was called back due to a glove, and adding a couple of minor penalties en route to the win. In the end, even Vesa Toskala did his part, registering his first shut out of the season against the same Flyers squad that lit up Jonas Gustavsson roughly a week ago.
Overall, tonight’s Leafs effort was solid, but it needs some polish longer term. Kessel and Bozak need to continue to find chemistry for the remainder of the year, and keeping Kulemin on the front end seems to be working well. The secondary forwards need to contribute more, but if they contribute as trade fodder, that works also.
Carl Gunnarsson improved to +6 on the season by going +2 in tonight’s game, and his play was solid all around. He has only been a minus player in one game all season long for the Leafs, registering a -1 rating against the Hurricanes on Nov 19th. Ian White improved to +9 on the season, while Luke Schenn improved to an even +/- rating by going +2.
Overall the Leafs may be improving in the short AND longer term. Let’s see how things work out as they move forward.
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3 Responses to “Young Leafs Look Solid”
By Casey
on Jan 15, 2010
The solution for Phil Kessel long term has got to be a highly skilled centreman, because Nikolai Kulemin’s game seems to mesh very well with Kessel’s. Kulemin is quick, and more importantly he does the digging that Kessel doesn’t do. As long as Kulemin works as hard as he does, he will stay on Kessel’s wing — for the space he creates and the effort he puts in. Whether it’s Bozak, Marleau, Kadri, etc… One of Kessel’s linemates has to play a Kulemin-type game.
Bozak will slow down, but it’s nice to see him getting on the scoresheet. I’m not sure if I yet buy in to the idea that he is a player who will succeed at the NHL more than the AHL because of the strength of linemates, but his output thus far has supported the theory.
Schenn is also showing that his game improves with more ice time. You hear players talk about it all the time, how more ice time makes you feel like you’re “in the game”. Schenn has been, and he’s chipping in semi-regularly now as his ice time has risen to 20 minutes a night.
Tough call on goaltending, whether or not to go back with Toskala versus Washington.
By glgbill
on Jan 15, 2010
Regarding Bozak, I had the opportunity to speak with an ex-pro once who made the comment that the NHL was the easiest league he ever played in. When I asked why, he said it was because everyone was so skilled. Players made fewer mistakes at that level, you could count on teammates to be in the right spot, you could develop your play making to build chemistry, etc, etc.
I’m not sure how this will translate for Bozak either, but I thought it was an interesting observation. And it is REALLY nice to see chemistry with Kessel right at the start.
By Marco
on Jan 15, 2010
NHL is much easier for Bozak, play is very easy to read as opposed to the AHL. He also lost 16 lbs, had an ankle injury, as well as H1N1. Explains why he might of not shone in the AHL.