Blurr1974, who is one of the contributors on the Toronto blog Pension Plan Puppets, answered some questions about the Maple Leafs. A reminder that the game is at 7 p.m., so we'll start our live in-game chat then.
Q: Jonas Gustavsson played well in the win Monday against Anaheim. What makes him so good? Do you see great potential in him? (The Stars also wanted him.)
A: He's a goalie who uses his size very well. He's played less than a handful of games, so it's a little early to say one way or the other how he's going to pan out. He's got an established relationship with the Leafs goaltending coach in Francois Allaire, and his pedigree in the SEL seems to indicate he has all the tools. We've already been privy to two highlight reel saves (a preseason 2 on 0 against Detroit, and a mad scramble against Anaheim on 10/26) and given our recent history of goalies, it's a welcome change, that's for sure.
Q: Former Star Niklas Hagman had a hat trick on Monday. How has he looked?
A: Personally, I am a HUGE fan of what Niklas brings to the team. He's quickly becoming a fan favorite for both the little things (sound positioning, excellent hustle) and the big things (highlight reel goals, and a hat trick in Anaheim.) I'm hoping he fits into this team, long term. He's a solid two-way player who is more than capable of playing in any situation. As the Leafs continue to get younger, they'll need guys like Hagman around to learn the little things.
Q: Talk about the Leafs' top line and how they've performed this season. What should Stars fans expect?
A: The problem with the Leafs currently is that you can not say with certainty who the top line is. We're all waiting until Kessel is ready to play, as after him, their is a significant drop in skill from the forwards. The Leafs will be a team that, just like last season, will need to out work opponents. The Stars can expect to see some combination of Hagman, Stajan, Grabovski, Ponikarovsky, Stempniak and Blake constituting the first line. Depending on roster scratches, Nikolai Kulemin could be in the mix as well.
Q: The Leafs' power play appears to be working as its second in the NHL. Why is it so successful?
A: Thanks to a bounty of power play opportunities in Anaheim, the Leafs are second in the league. It's still a work in progress, but the game against the Ducks was one of those nights where everything went right. The recent change to put Stempniak on the point is what could be paying the dividends. He's got a cannon of a shot. Kaberle choosing to shoot more often helps as well.
Q: Toronto's penalty kill is last in the league. Why?
A: As the saying goes, your goalie is your best penalty killer. So, why is the PK so bad? It could be because Gustavsson has yet to get into a groove as the starter, and we've had guys like Toskala and MacDonald manning the cage in his stead. It appears now that Vesa Toskala is done in Toronto. His style does not seem to fit what Allaire is teaching, and you can't help but think Allaire was brought in to work with Gustavsson, who was already a prodigy of his. The PK will improve over time. There have been lots of communication gaps in the defensive coverage, and you'll still see some missed assignments, but for a completely overhauled blue line, things will start coming together soon enough.
Q: Who are a few players Stars fans should keep a close eye on during the game?
A: Hagman will be motivated to do a few things against Dallas. Coming off a hat trick night will help with his confidence. Grabovski will drive you nuts with his puck handling, and his seemingly invincible nature. He's a small guy, but no matter how big the hit, he keeps coming back. When Grabbo is on, he seems to draw quite a few penalties. Tomas Kaberle on the blue line is a superb skater and puck handler. He'll surprise those who thinks he's overrated just because he's a Leaf. Lastly, the other guy to keep an eye on his Colton Orr. The Leafs have a true heavyweight who takes standing up for his teammates seriously. Any perceived monkey business and he'll gladly have the Stars paying the price.
Q: Any injury updates?
A: Jeff Finger has been a scratch the last few games, but no official word on an injury. Leaf fans are still divided on the guy, but when he plays, you can be certain he'll be a factor. He plays good positionally, hits hard, blocks shots with abandon. All these pluses make me think he's hurting somehow. Phil Kessel is rumored to be ahead of schedule and could be making his debut in early November, but not in time to see the Stars.
Q: Anything else Stars fans should know about the Leafs?
A: The Leafs just got their first win of the season, after giving up the first goal for the 9th game in a row. They've proven to themselves that they can win without scoring first, and they've proven that they can score in bushels. If there were any mental problems being a cause to their losing streak, the win in Anaheim will help overcome them. These guys could be a very dangerous and hungry opponent Wednesday.
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Richard Durrett
Richard Durrett joined ESPNDallas.com in September 2009. He writes about colleges, the Dallas Stars and the Texas Rangers. Richard spent nine years at The Dallas Morning News covering the Rangers, Stars, colleges, motorsports and high schools.
