As much I hate Andrew Raycroft - and those of you who read this corner regularly know I really, really don’t like the guy – I hate the Buffalo Sabres even more. With a chance to kill Buffalo’s season the Leafs, and Raycroft, did what they always do: fail. Credit’s due where it’s due, and Raycroft was certainly not Raycrap last night. He was on point in the first two periods for the Leafs, shocking for a guy who hasn’t played in an NHL game since January. While his rebound control was once again atrocious, he just didn’t get burned by it last night.
The Leafs jumped out to a two-nothing lead after twenty minutes. You know, the dreaded “worst lead in hockey.” I would argue that any lead held by the Toronto Maple Leafs is the worst lead in hockey, because you know it’s not going to last.
It didn’t last night. Up 2-1 going into the third, Buffalo tied the game on a phantom goal. The Leafs responded, though, and went up 3-2 thanks to a nifty goal by Alex Steen. Props out to Anton Stralman and The Poni, who both made great passes on the play.
There I was, pissed off about the Blue Jays’ opening night loss, but hoping the Leafs could rescue the night and dash the playoff hopes of those losers down in Buffalo.
Cue the standard bonehead penalty by Bryan McCabe and power play goal that I knew was coming. Tie game, three apiece, and the Sabres are still alive in the hunt for eighth.
In overtime, after Tomas Kaberle rang one off the cross bar, Pavel Kubina was called for the most unbelievable cross-checking penalty I have ever seen in my life. He barely touched the Buffalo player, who didn’t even go down on the play, and the Sabres were given a gift in the form of a man advantage.
They couldn’t capitalize. A shootout ensued, and the Leafs were unable to get ‘er done. Ryan Miller was solid in net for the Sabres in the one-on-one challenge, while Andrew Raycroft continued to show why he is one of the worst goalies in the shootout, ever.
I think Raycroft made two saves, and one of them was by accident. The Sabres either missed the net or rang pucks off the post.
I figured the Sabres, who always get screwed in every sport and on every call, didn’t have destiny on their side. But, in the end, they did have something going for them: Raycroft was in net.
Sure, he played a good game, but in the end, Raycroft was the losing goalie last night, as he always is. It was a fitting end to a game in which the Leafs had two leads in the third period.
The Leafs can’t do anything right. They win when they should lose, and lose when they should win. They’re about as good at playing the spoiler as they are at playing the playoff team.
They better get their act together quickly, though, because they’ve got a chance to drive a stake through the hearts of the Ottawa Senators and their freaking-out fans on Thursday night, in what should be a doozy at the Air Canada Centre.
The Leafs aren’t going to the dance, but if they can do their part and keep the Senators on the sidelines with them, man, that would almost single-handedly salvage this bullshit season.
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6 months ago
Navin, I thought I was the biggest Leafs hater until I read your article (lol)
I must admit though, I watched a good chunk of the game and I disagree. You can't blame Raycroft for the loss. He's about as much to blame for that loss as he is for our incredibly long and snowy winter....or global warming in the summer for that matter. I really thought they'd put Pogue in nets for the remaining games, since they are, as Maurice pointed out, "Glorified Exhibition" games. The kid could use some NHL experience but what do I know, I'm just a Habs fan and the Leafs organization obviously know what they are doing, right? :)
6 months ago
is it Raycrof or toskala who whill come at the bell center for the last game ?
we are waiting ....
lol
ps: did u hear his comment after the game ? he was like "it feels good to feel like an NHL player again. i completely forgot how fun it was to be out there" ... he is gonna learn one word: tos-ka-la !
(i m a big fan of toskala!)
6 months ago
is it Raycrof or toskala who whill come at the bell center for the last game ?
we are waiting ....
lol
ps: did u hear his comment after the game ? he was like "it feels good to feel like an NHL player again. i completely forgot how fun it was to be out there" ... he is gonna learn one word: tos-ka-la !
(i m a big fan of toskala!)
6 months ago
GO SABRES!!!!
6 months ago
oh the sabres are still alive, and the Habs are not that much in danger anymore. u guys can win if u want !
GO CAROLINA! (rather than cristobal huet)
are the leafs about to do some summer cleaning in the team ? as i heard, Sundin is an unsure case ! who esle, "raycrap" ?
6 months ago
LEAFS RULE!!
6 months ago
Your article sucks. I'm a Leafs fan, and you're a child, a typical 'Toronto Fan' baby, and it's ridiculous. Also ridiculous that I'm a huge Bills fan and I don't want them to come to Toronto because of idiot 'fans' like you bitching and whining about everything. Rain or shine, ever hear of that? Get over it man. Get over your non-sexual man-crush on Raycroft (wow the name Ray-crap is sooooooo lame) too. It's turning you into a bad person.
And please stop cheering for the Jays, because I don't want you being in the same stadium as the Jays players. They might catch stupid.
Markus
from 6 months ago
they might catch stupid.
wow, good one!
how long were you sitting on that one?
i was actually at the home opener, and will be at the centre countless times this season.
6 months ago
Such an amateur article I'm still wondering why I bothered reading all of it.
Hmm..let's see. Andrew Raycroft gets the record for most wins by a Leafs goalie due to the fact he had to take the brunt of the workload. Then its off-season time and he gets married. The next day he gets a phone call telling him that his beloved team signed another Number 1 goalie in Toskala. That's great for confidence.
The Leafs didn't play Raycroft [or Raycrap as you affectionately call him] for a large chunk of games. They don't even send him to the minors to get game time due to the fact Pogge is playing hot for the Marlies.
And then he gets called to play in a game and played possibly one of his better games in a while. He made some key saves and his positioning was not as bad as it used to be. In fact I actually thought he was going to win the game. The problem is not Raycrap, its the crap of a defense we have stationed in front of him. The Toronto Maple Leafs as a defense have no confidence in Raycroft. Plain and simple.
I love Toskala. I think his play has been the one silver lining of the season. But in no way would I bash Raycroft the way you have in this article and blame the loss to the Sabres on him. It's a shootout. Even the best goalies get beaten. It's a lottery.
I really hope the Leafs trade Raycroft so that he gets to play in proper ice time and regain his touch. He is not a great goalie...but he is not an awful one. His glove hand is weak but every goalie has their weakness and it's up to the opposing team to do their research and exploit it.
As for the Jays. I watched the game and it was as tight a game as it could be for opening day. I felt they played well and figured they would do well this season. So far their record and their play proves me right. A little optimism goes a long way.
Is it just me or does anyone else sense a new phenomenon called the Bandwagon Leafs Haters ??
from 6 months ago
and shawn, buddy, the leafs have no confidence in raycroft because he's never done anything to instill it in the team. the same god damn defense that was in front of raycroft was in front of toskala too, and look at their god damn statistics. one goalie is good, one goalie is bad. i hope you'll be able to tell which one is which, for christ's sakes.
6 months ago
such an amateur article yet you write a book of a comment.
thanks Shawn. How about you bust out the writing skills and show us all how it's done?
6 months ago
Haha ok Navin I'm sure you'll be eagerly waiting my first article on here. I'll keep you posted.
Everyone's a critic these days, I didn't know writing an article made you a better one.
As for the defense and statistics, I'm not sure if you watched the Leafs much this season or not but I will say that you have and say this much: It didn't matter what goalie was in the net, the Maple Leafs defense needs a defensive mind, instead of everyone trying to score [which I am sure is the point of the game] but as far as roles go, we give up too many pucks in our own zone, too many stupid penalties, try to make too many cute plays and we sure as hell don't know how to clear the puck on a PK. Bring up your stats now.
Cheers and do keep writing. I write a book of a comment because I had much to say :)
from 6 months ago
i agree with you when it comes to the defensive mindset and defensive play of the team. clearly it wasn't good enough, because we're not going to the playoffs. but if one goalie has a goals against average a full goal higher than the other, it means one goalie just isn't that good. raycroft played 19 games, he started 16 of them, and he won 2 of them. that isn't going to cut it. not in the nhl.
i write for fun, for the love of the sport, and for the love of the profession. i'm a journalist, what can i tell you? while i appreciate your comments and opinion, when you start off by saying "such an amateur article i'm still wondering why i bothered reading all of it," it makes you come off as the critic.
but hey, i've gotten a lot worse when it comes to comments, and that is your right in a forum like this. i appreciate you reading the entire article, lol.
cheers buddy. i'm just a frustrated leafs fan who misses the playoffs.
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