Pride, hustle, heart. An NHL 12 Leafs BAGM

[bthomp05]

1 and 1, tough series. Good luck with game 3.

[Dynasty]

Game three at Toronto

Pre game interview with coach Gilmour:

Well the league has decided to suspend Rick Nash for one game for his hit, Rick and I discussed what happened and you know what, he’s an emotional player who plays with that emotion on the ice and on that particular play he let it get the best of him.

He is so dedicated and wants this team to succeed. As a result of the suspension we will be activating Matt Halischuck who will see time on the fourth line which moves up Stalberg to the third and Abdelkader to see the second, pushing Kadri up to line one.

Losing Rick will hurt the team, of that there’s no doubt. I believe we are good enough, and deep enough to miss a game without him if we have to.



Ribeiro sneaks one in past Fleury, take a shot any shot!

Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs
May 6, 2014 1 2 3 F PIT (5-1-0) 0 0 2 2 TOR (5-1-0) 1 2 1 4 Three Stars Justin Abdelkader 1 goal 1 assist 4 hits +2 Sergei Bobrovsky 2.00 GAA .943 SV% 35 saves Mike Ribeiro 1 goal 1 assist 2 hits +2	Team Stats Comparison PIT TOR Shots on Goal 35 35 Hits 36 34 Faceoffs Won-Lost 20 19 Penalty Minutes 7:00 9:00 Power Plays Converted 0 1 Power Play Opportunities 2 1 Time on Attack 5:35 5:47
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD TOR 19:57 - Mike Ribeiro (2), (Justin Abdelkader, Marc-andre Bergeron) SECOND PERIOD TOR 6:01 - Cody Franson (2), (Magnus Paajarvi, Mike Ribeiro) TOR 18:33 - Justin Abdelkader (2), (Magnus Paajarvi) THIRD PERIOD TOR 2:23 - Kyle Beach (2), (Mark Streit, Luke Schenn) PIT 3:17 - J. Neal (4), (Unassisted) PIT 19:08 - C. Kunitz (1), (A. Aliu, J. Staal)
Pittsburgh Penguins - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA M. Fleury 35 31 89% 4.06
Pittsburgh Penguins - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM J. Staal 10:10 0 1 1 0 0 C. Kunitz 13:44 1 0 -1 1 5:00 J. Neal 22:34 1 0 0 4 0 A. Aliu 10:05 0 1 1 2 0
Toronto Maple Leafs - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Sergei Bobrovsky 35 33 94% 2.00
Toronto Maple Leafs - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM Mike Ribeiro 18:26 1 1 2 4 0 Justin Abdelkader 13:26 1 1 2 1 0 Magnus Paajarvi 14:49 0 2 2 3 2:00 Mark Streit 24:52 0 1 0 2 0 Marc-Andre Bergeron 22:31 0 1 2 1 0 Cody Franson 19:09 1 0 0 3 0 Luke Schenn 23:54 0 1 0 0 0 Kyle Beach 10:47 1 0 0 2 0

Abdelkader's first powerplay shift and he nets a goal

Post game interview with Nazem Kadri:

Yeah we came out slow there in the first, right until Kunitz ran Bobrovsky that is, Theo stood up for our goalie and we all took that energy and really went at them (the Penguins)

If it wasn't for that fight, and for them running our goalie the result of this game may have been different, but who knows.

In the end they decided to play our game, which is just fine by us, they got into our physical game and tried to beat us at it and well, we all seen the result of that now didn't we.



Franson rips a rocket past Fleury

Injury update:

D Theo Peckham will miss the next 1-2 weeks with a strained neck suffered during his brawl with Penguins forward Kris Kunitz. D Mike Weaver will be activated and placed into the roster on third line duties and also see time on the PK.

Also of note Penguins forward Chris Kunitz will miss the next 1-2 weeks with a fractured jaw he suffered in the fight with Toronto D man Theo Peckham


Kyle Beach throws a backhand at Fleury, and it sneaks past him

[Dynasty]

Quote: Originally Posted by Tazer19

One heck of a series shaping up here. Nash better have his head on a swivel, some bad blood!

Quote: Originally Posted by bthomp05

1 and 1, tough series. Good luck with game 3.

Thanks guys, right now the pens are trying to play my stle of game and it's benefitting me, if they would stick to a more skill based game they would have a better chance, we will see what game four brings!

[Dynasty]

Game four at Toronto: Fight night round 4!

Pre game press conference with coach Gilmour:

Nash is done his one game suspension so our lines will revert to what they were, Rick is energized for this game and he wants to get out there.

We are expecting a hard physical game tonight with Rick being back in but were ready for that, don't worry, in fact we welcome it.

As for team performance I would like our D men to close gaps faster than last game, I felt they were a bit timid around Crosby and he’s the kind of guy you need to challenge, giving him free range is a bad decision.

Yeah we had a light practice yesterday, been a rough series and the guys are playing well, no need to get someone hurt in a simple practice. We worked more on our penalty kill and power play, zone control and gap control, mostly things that are lighter on the guys then a full work out, hoping to come into tonight's game focused and rested.

Nash shows soft hands

Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs
May 8, 2014 1 2 3 F PIT (5-2-0) 1 1 0 2 TOR (6-1-0) 1 2 1 4 Three Stars Rick Nash 1 goal 1 asist 1 fight 5 shots +2 Sergei Bobrovsky 2.00 GAA .935 SV% 31 saves Phil Kessel 1 goal 1 assist 5 shots +2	Team Stats Comparison PIT TOR Shots on Goal 31 34 Hits 32 29 Faceoffs Won-Lost 14 27 Penalty Minutes 6:00 2:00 Power Plays Converted 0 0 Power Play Opportunities 3 1 Time on Attack 4:45 5:24
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD TOR 5:49 - Rick Nash (3), (Luke Schenn, Phil Kessel) PIT 13:56 - Evgeni Malkin (2), (K. Letang, J. Neal) SECOND PERIOD TOR 3:33 - Mike Ribeiro (3), (Nazem Kadri, Mark Streit) TOR 16:58 - Cody Franson (3), (Kyle Turris) PIT 19:39 - E. Tangradi (3), (J. Staal, P. Martin) THIRD PERIOD TOR 19:14 - Phil Kessel (5), (Rick Nash, Kyle Turris)
Pittsburgh Penguins - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Sergei Bobrovsky 31 29 94% 2.00
Pittsburgh Penguins - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM Rick Nash 17:18 1 1 2 5 5:00 Kyle Turris 21:26 0 2 2 2 0 Phil Kessel 22:25 1 1 2 5 0 Mike Ribeiro 16:03 1 0 1 4 2:00 Mike Streit 28:05 0 1 3 2 2:00 Nazem Kadri 16:31 0 1 1 2 0 Cody Franson 18:04 1 0 2 2 0 Luke Schenn 25:41 0 1 1 0 0
Toronto Maple Leafs - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Marc-Andre Fleury 34 30 88% 4.03
Toronto Maple Leafs - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM E. Tangradi 10:41 1 0 1 1 0 J. Staal 13:35 0 1 1 0 5:00 K. Letang 25:27 0 1 -2 0 0 E. Malkin 24:20 1 0 -1 4 0 P. Martin 17:20 0 1 0 0 0 J. Neal 15:56 0 1 -1 2 0

Kadri shows great patience and vision finding Ribeiro

Penalty Summary:

1st period:
(TOR) Tripping (minor) 2:41 M. Streit
(PIT) Slashing (minor) 17:45 A. Giroux

2nd period:
(TOR) Interference (minor) 11:24 M. Ribeiro
(TOR) Fighting (major) 13:14 L. Schenn
(PIT) Fighting (major) 13:14 J. Staal
(TOR) Boarding (minor) 14:01 V. Stalberg
(TOR) Fighting (major) 18:09 R. Nash
(PIT) Fighting (major) 18:09 D. Jeffrey

3rd period:
(TOR) Fighting (major) 5:06 K. Beach
(PIT) Fighting (major) 5:06 A. Kotalik
(TOR) Fighting (major) 13:30 G. Parros
(TOR) Fighting (major) 13:30 Z. Michalek

Franson rips one off the face off, top shelf

Post game interview with George Parros:

Defiantly a chippy game tonight, there was what four fights in total I think. Don’t know when the last time four fights broke out in a playoff game were, but I don’t think it was recently.

Was nice to see Nasher get the Gordie Howe hat trick, he was motivated big time this game, and we were ready for Pittsburgh. Even though it was really close until Phil (Kessel) put in that late third period goal.

I think both teams played really well and pushed for dominance, we just pushed harder, that's all.

Line one get's it done, Turris to Nash to Kessel, nothing but net

Injury update:

D Theo Peckham will return to the line up for Saturdays game in Pittsburgh, Peckham who strained his neck in a fight is eager to get back into the line up and help his team put out the Penguins in their next game.

[Dynasty]

Game five at Pittsburgh

Pre game interview with coach Gilmour:

The game plan remains much the same, most importantly though we need to come out and get on top of them right away and then give them no room to even breathe out there.

Gotta lock it down and play tight checking here if we get a lead.

Overall were expecting their best effort to come tonight, it's been a long hard series but this should be their best showing and I think our guys are ready for it physically and mentally.

Toronto Maple Leafs at Pittsburgh Penguins
May 10, 2014 1 2 3 F TOR (7-1-0) 0 1 0 1 PIT (5-3-0) 1 1 1 3 Three Stars Marc-Andre Fleury 1.02 GAA .963 SV% 27 saves Ales Kotalik 1 goal 4 shots Akim Aliu 1 goal 1 shot +1	Team Stats Comparison TOR PIT Shots on Goal 27 43 Hits 28 26 Faceoffs Won-Lost 9 19 Penalty Minutes 4:00 4:00 Power Plays Converted 0 1 Power Play Opportunities 2 2 Time on Attack 4:00 5:06
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD PIT 8:45 - A. Aliu (1), (A. Giroux) SECOND PERIOD PIT 9:13 - A. Kotalik (2), (P. Martin, K. Letang) TOR 9:38 - Mike Ribeiro (4), (Cody Franson, Magnus Paajarvi THIRD PERIOD PIT 18:13 - Chris Kunitz (2), (unassisted)
Toronto Maple Leafs - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Sergei Bobrovsky 43 40 93% 3.00
Toronto Maple Leafs - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM Mike Ribeiro 19:40 1 0 1 1 2:00 Magnus Paajarvi 18:09 0 1 0 6 0 Cody Franson 19:26 0 1 1 2 0
Pittsburgh Penguins - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Marc-Andre Fleury 27 26 96% 1.02
Pittsburgh Penguins - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM A. Kotalik 15:20 1 0 0 4 0 K. Letang 22:38 0 1 1 4 2:00 C. Kunitz 22:10 1 0 0 2 0 P. Martin 19:32 0 1 0 4 0 A. Aliu 6:43 1 0 1 1 0 A. Giroux 8:05 0 1 1 3 0

Ribeiro makes a nice tip to notch a goal of Franson's point shot

Post game interview with Kyle Turris:

Well we did Nearly everything we wanted to, we had lots of pressure, played an up tempo hard hitting game we just didn’t capitalize on our opportunities really.

We knew they were going to come at us with everything they had, we backed them into a corner and they are a good team, they came out fighting and put us down tonight, I think there was 40 shots or something, maybe more.

We need to come out hungry next game and finish this off; we can’t let them climb back into this series.

[bthomp05]

Oww they bit back, good luck in game 6.

[Dynasty]

Game six in Toronto

Pre game interview with coach Gilmour:

Tonight is the night here guys, we have to go out there and finish these guys (the Penguins) off before they can regroup enough to mount a comeback.

We went into their barn and dropped the last game and now we have to come back loud and proud in our own house here and push these guys out of the playoffs.

It won't be an easy task, we both know each other well and our tendencies, the gaps are small and the space is limited, but that doesn't matter tonight, what matters is what is inside each and every guy in the locker room back there.

They all got to look inside and dig deep, pull the best they got out and shove it onto the ice, no mistakes tonight boys, no quarter to be given.

Pittsburgh Penguins at Toronto Maple Leafs
May 12, 2014 1 2 3 F PIT (6-3-0) 0 1 0 1 TOR (7-2-0) 1 0 2 3 Three Stars Sergei Bobrovsky 1.00 GAA .977 SV% 44 saves Phil Kessel 2 goals 1 hit 5 shots +2 Kyle Turris 1 goal 1 assist 4 shots +2	Team Stats Comparison PIT TOR Shots on Goal 44 27 Hits 21 23 Faceoffs Won-Lost 20 13 Penalty Minutes 0 8:00 Power Plays Converted 1 0 Power Play Opportunities 4 0 Time on Attack 6:23 4:27
Scoring Summary FIRST PERIOD TOR 1:11 - Phil Kessel (6), (Rick Nash, Kyle Turris) SECOND PERIOD PIT 4:12 - Z. Michalek (1), (S. Crosby) THIRD PERIOD TOR 11:41 - Phil Kessel (7), (Unassisted) TOR 19:45 - Kyle Turris (3), (Nazem Kadri, Rick Nash)
Pittsburgh Penguins - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Marc-Andre Fleury 26 24 92% 2.02
Pittsburgh Penguins - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM Z. Michalek 21:29 1 0 -1 2 0 S. Crosby 24:40 0 1 -2 7 0
Toronto Maple Leafs - Goalies GOALIES SHOTS SAVES SV % GAA Sergei Bobrovsky 44 43 98% 1.00
Toronto Maple Leafs - Skaters SKATERS TOI G A +/- SOG PIM Rick Nash 14:57 0 2 3 4 0 Kyle Turris 15:28 2 2 2 4 0 Phil Kessel 17:53 2 0 2 5 2:00 Nazem Kadri 18:36 0 1 1 2 0

Turris, Nash and Kessel open space and get a goal

Post game interview with Justin Abdelkader:

Yeah what an end to a fantastic series, we both fought hard for it, all the games were really fast paced and exciting for everyone involved.

Sure I’m excited and looking forward to the next round of playoffs but, got a lot of celebrating to do right now so I’m going to have to cut this short, sorry guys.


Kessel swings around the net for a nother goal

Post game interview with coach Gilmour:

To sum up this game? This series?

Fantastic.

this has been a no holds barred, hit everything in your sight, skate your guts out series, nonstop pulse pounding action and some of the most exciting hockey I have been a part of since I played the game myself.

I am really proud of the guys; they took it all in ya know? There are a lot of them who have never been to this stage before and they absorb everything our veterans have said, the whole team has bought into the system and executed it to near perfection, we have had solid defence, offense and goaltending.

This team is firing on all cylinders and it’s exciting to be a part of, we don’t know who our next round opponents are yet but we are all anxious to start playing.

The key to this game, even though we played well as a unit out there was our top line. They were exactly that tonight, they were above the rest and had their way out there on the ice, Kyle was making ridiculous passes, Rick was making space for himself and everyone else, ripping off shots and making great passes himself and Phil Kessel was doing whatever he wanted to it really seemed, of everyone out there tonight he seemed to be a step ahead of the rest, and if you look at the scoreboard you can see it.

Series recap (total playoff points)

NHL League Leaders - Updated: May 12, 2014
Toronto's leading scorers (forwards)		PTS	Pittsburgh's leading scorers (forwards)		PTS
	1. Phil Kessel	10		1. Sidney Crosby	9
	2. Rick Nash	10		2. Chris Kunitz	7
	3. Magnus Paajarvi	8		3. James Neal	5
	4. Kyle Turris	7		4. Evgeni Malkin	5
	5. Nazem Kadri	6		5. Jordan Staal	4
Toronto's leading scorers (defense)		PTS	Pittsburgh's leading scorers (defense)		PTS
	1. Mark Streit	7		1. Kris Letgang	5
	2. Luke Schenn	5		2. Paul Martin	4
	3. Theo Peckham	4		3. Zbynek Michalek	4
	4. Cody Franson	4		4. Matt Niskanen	4
	5. Marc-Andre Bergeron	3		5. Brooks Orpik	3
Toronto's goaltenders (Bobrovsky)		Starter	Pittsburgh's goaltenders (Fleury)		Starter
	1. Wins	8		1. Wins	6
	2. Losses	2		2. Losses	4
	3. Goals Against Average	2.00		3. Goals against average	2.11
	4. Save Percentage	.940%		4. Save Percentage	.925%
	5. Shutouts	2		5. Shutouts	1
Toronto's goaltenders (Mason)		Backup	Pittsburgh's goaltenders (Nittymaki)		Backup
	1. Wins	0		1. Wins	0
	2. Losses	0		2. Losses	0
	3. Goals against average	0		3. Goals against average	0
	4. Save Percentage	0		4. Save Percentage	0
	5. Shutouts	0		5. Shutouts	0

Turris slams the final nail in the coffin of the Pittsburgh Penguins season

[Dynasty]

Second round recap:

West:

(2) Calgary VS (8) Nashville - Nashville wins 4 -2

(4) Anaheim VS (6) San Jose - San Jose wins 4-3


East:

(1) Carolina VS (6) Philadelphia - Carolina wins 4-0

(2) Pittsburgh VS (4) Toronto - Toronto wins 4-2

NHL League Leaders - Updated: May 15, 2014
Goals		G	Assists		A
	1. Patrick Marleau	10		1. Eric Staal	11
	2. Jeff Skinner	9		2. Jason Demers	9
	3. Eric Staal	8		3. Logan Couture	8
	4. Phil Kessel	7		4. Henrik Sedin	8
	5. Bobby Ryan	6		5. Joe Thornton	7
Points		PTS	Plus/Minus		+/-
	1. Eric Staal	19		1. Rick Nash	14
	2. Jeff Skinner	13		2. Kyle Turris	11
	3. Patrick Marleau	13		3. Mark Streit	9
	4. Logan Couture	11		4. Magnus Paajarvi	9
	5. Joe Thornton	11		5. Cody Franson	8
Wins		W	Goals Against average (5+ GP)		GAA
	1. Sergei Bobrovsky	8		1. Pekka Rinne	1.59
	2. Pekka Rinne	8		2. Jimmy Howard	1.86
	3. Antti Niemi	7		3. Roberto Luongo	1.91
	4. Marc-Andre Fleury	6		4. Sergei Bobrovsky	2.00
	5. Jonas Hiller	6		5. Antti Niemi	2.03
Save Percentage (5+ GP)		SV%	Shutouts		SO
	1. Pekka Rinne	.946%		1. Sergei Bobrovsky	2
	2. Sergei Bobrovsky	.940%		2. Cam Ward	1
	3. Roberto Luongo	.940%		3. Marc-Andre Fleury	1
	4. Jimmy Howard	.934%		4. Ilya Bryzgalov	1
	5. Antti Niemi	.931%		5. Pekka Rinne	1

Third round preview:

West:

(6) San Jose VS (8) Nashville - Prediction, Nashville in 7

East:

(1) Carolina VS (4) Toronto - Prediction, Carolina in 6



A look ahead to the match-up against Carolina:

NHL League Leaders - Updated: May 16, 2014
Toronto's leading scorers (forwards)		PTS	Carolina's leading scorers (forwards)		PTS
	1. Rick Nash	10		1. Eric Staal	19
	2. Phil Kessel	10		2. Jeff Skinner	13
	3. Magnus Paajarvi	8		3. Jussi Jokinen	8
	4. Kyle Turris	7		4. Tuomo Ruutu	7
	5. Mike Ribeiro	6		5. Zac Dalpe	7
Toronto's leading scorers (defense)		PTS	Carolina's leading scorers (defense)		PTS
	1. Mark Streit	7		1. Derek Joslin	7
	2. Luke Schenn	5		2. Joni Pitkanen	6
	3. Cody Franson	4		3. Joseph Corvo	4
	4. Theo Peckham	4		4. Jamie Mcbain	3
	5. Marc-Andre Bergeron	3		5. Tim Gleason	2
Toronto's Goaltenders (Bobrovsky)		Starter	Carolina's goaltenders (Ward)		Starter
	1. Wins	8		1. Wins	6
	2. Losses	2		2. Losses	2
	3. Goals Against Average	2.00		3. Goals Against Average	2.23
	4. Save Percentage	.940%		4. Save Percentage	.962
	5. Shutouts	2		5. Shutouts	1
Toronto's goaltenders (Mason)		Back up	Carolina's goaltenders (Peters)		Back up
	1. Wins	0		1. Wins	2
	2. Losses	0		2. Losses	0
	3. Goals Against Average	0		3. Goals Against Average	0.99
	4. Save Percentage	0		4. Save Percentage	.920
	5. Shutouts	0		5. Shutouts	0

Keys to victory:


If they are able to frustrate the bountiful Staal and Skinner then Toronto may be able to suffocate the Hurricanes into defeat. If not this may be a quick exit for Toronto.

Prediction: Carolina in 6