BOSTON – Like the Bruins have done all season, Boston demoralized the Maple Leafs as they beat down Toronto 8-0 to clean sweep the season series.
Any momentum James Reimer and the Maple Leafs appeared to gain over the past two games vanished quicker than any small increment of hope they may have had of making a run at the post-season after a pair of back-to-back victories.
The Leafs fell apart just 2:25 into the game. Luke Schenn was unsuccessful in a clearing attempt. The puck would find Chris Kelly who would dance around a diving Reimer allowing the left side of the goal completely wide open.
3:15 later, Reimer would lose sight of the puck, allowing unlikely goal scorer Gregory Campbell to make it a 2-0 game.
A deflection would lead to Benoit Pouliot’s 11th of the season, and the rout was officially on.
3-0 Boston Bruins and at this point the Leafs had failed to record a single shot on goal.
Jay Rosehill would take a roughing penalty shortly afterwards which sparked a fight between Luke Schenn and Campbell. The Bruins would score on the power play to make it a 4-0 Boston Lead. James Reimer pulled after allowing four goals on nine shots.
“We have to find a way to be better prepared and be a better hockey team,” said Reimer. “I’ve honestly never seen anything like that before. I’m not quite sure why one team seems to have such an advantage.
The Bruins took all 12 points in the season series. The Maple Leafs weren’t able to garner a measly point by way of overtime or shootout loss during the season against Boston. The Bruins outscored the Maple Leafs 36-8.
“We can’t really point to any one thing right now that we did well” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said. “As a coaching staff we have to take some responsibility by not having the team ready to compete.”
Not sure what else Carlyle could have done. He’d been working the team pretty hard since he took over. Perhaps he’ll give the team more rest for what has been the end of a grueling five-game road trip.
The one thing the team may have done well, was try to spark some momentum by starting some fights. Mike Komisarek bravely tested the waters as he tangled with Milan Lucic and took a few uppercuts for it.
“At that point your down a couple of goals and we don’t have any shots on net. Schenny steps up and tries to show up and I’m not gonna wait for Grabo to go out and fight their tough guy” said Komisarek. “You go out there and you just try to show up, give a couple licks and take a couple of licks and step up I guess.”
Jonas Gustavsson didn’t fair much better in relief of Reimer. He paid the price in the second period when he skated behind the net mishandling the puck, allowing Brian Rolston to find Pouliot for his second goal of the game. Zdeno Chara scored on the power-play to make it a half-dozen lead. Brian Rolston capped the second period with the team’s seventh goal.
The Bruins had seven goals after 40 minutes. The Leafs had seven…shots. That’s right. The Bruins goals and Leafs shot total was identical at seven.
Tyler Seguin would cap the scoring late in the third period. It wouldn’t have been a Bruins/Leafs regular season game if not for Seguin to add insult to injury. Seguin had points in five of the six games against the Leafs totallying seven goals and four assists for 11 points.
“It was just a poor effort by everybody,” said Clark MacArthur.
“It’s just not acceptable to not be ready to start games” captain Dion Phaneuf echoed.
The Leafs played as poor as they have all season (and there have been some poor showings) and their 13 shots on goal, is the lowest they have registered in a single game since Game 2 of their second round playoff series against the Flyers. In that game they fell to Philadelphia 7-2. For a team that hasn’t been in the playoffs since that time, it’s an eerie reminder.
8 Responses to “Another Beantown Beatdown”
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CAUTION AHEAD: Burke’s going to be desperate and a move for, say, Nash may be the worst move he could make. This team isn’t one or two good players away from a run at the cup. Don’t fuel Burke’s desparation, Leaf Nation.
- Russ TratedRuss Trated,
Your logic is to not go after a franchise player like Nash because they suck too much? A guy with a long contract that you’ll have for years going forward? The Leafs have zero blue chip prospects. Do whatever it takes to get Nash for God’s sakes. The team needs to start acquiring top notch talent instead of a bunch of throwaways and mediocre 3rd liners.
- Ronnie MacRonnie Mac,
You answered the question why not go get Nash in your own post! The Leafs have little to no talent to put around Nash and Nash has proven he cannot elevate a horrible team. Unless they can get Nash for Khadri and Schenn lets forget about this Nash business!
FIRE BURKE!!!!!
4 years in and still no playoffs.
- The Anti-BurkeTime to put Burke on a plane and ship him out of here.
- Joe eWhen Nash remained a Blue Jacket after the deadline came and went, he was asked if he thought he should retain the “C” as captain since he knows it is only a matter of time before he leaves Columbus. His reply was “That is up to management to decide” – that says it all. Much like Phaenuf, he was chosen by the suits and not his teammates as captain. His peers don’t see Nash as a leader and he is nothing more than a mercenary. He is not a franchise player.
- Mpac@Anti-Burke:
Thank goodness there are a few sensible Leaf-fans left. Without being dramatic, (injury aside) putting a Crosby on this team at no cost wouldn’t/couldn’t turn it around. There aren’t enough supporting pieces.
We need a real rebuild (and no offense) real goaltenders.
Did anyone read that Burke was given offers for Gutsy Gusty who’s going to be set free for free?!
- Russ TratedFire Burke. Burke never won the Phaneuf trade. They were two teams trading AHL caliber players. Plus Lupul has a history of injuries. So don’t be saying Burke is so smart. Any other general manager would be fired for such a pitiful performance. The team is no better than last year in fact they are worse. Fire Burke.
- Joe eBurke said 4 years ago that Toronto would not put up with a complete tear down, it would take 5 years to see any results. Well where are we now. Burke is now Messiah! He’s a fat blow hard in a $2000 suit!
- The Anti-Burke