Tag Archives: Maple Leafs

Nazem Kadri Gets a Well-Earned Three Game Suspension

You just can’t do what Nazem Kadri did on Thursday night.  Call it charging, boarding, hitting to the head- it doesn’t matter. You just can’t do that.  Hockey has an honest and blue collared identity, but that’s gutless.

AN EFFECTIVE AGITATOR

Kadri is always ready to mix things up.  He’s like Brad Marchand in the sense that he’s most effective while playing with an edge, but this is too much.   Viciously boarding somebody on their knees directly from behind?  There’s just no respect there.  You could argue that Wingels gets his elbow up on Marner just before the hit, but it seems clean.

 

He’s an energy guy and the spark-plug of the Maple Leafs. It makes sense that he’d want to get physical and set the tone for a comeback, but that’s not the way to do it.  Being an agitator is a huge part of Kadri’s game, so he should know this better than anyone.

NO EXCUSES

It almost seems like he just gets too amped up and forgets where his boundaries are.  Games are more physical during the playoffs but this is inexcusable.  The hit is exactly what the Department of Player Safety is trying to eradicate.  It’s ultimately up to the players to prevent these hits, and hopefully most are more respectful than Kadri.

We’re learning more about concussions every day.  Direct hits to the head have the potential to effect somebody’s whole life.  We’ve seen it right here in Boston with Marc Savard.  Kadri knows this, but it doesn’t stop him from making a bee-line for Wingels’ head.  The hit reads “charging” in the box score, but it could be labeled as a few things.

A SPOT IN THE PRESS BOX

This is embarrassing for Nazem Kadri.  He severely crosses the line and now the Leafs are going to pay for his mistake. George Parros needed to make a statement.  The Department of Player Safety won’t tolerate hits like this just because it’s the postseason, and he gets what he deserves with a three game suspension.

Toronto Will Be No Easy Task

We’re finally here. The season began with plenty of doubt, but the Bruins are second in the Atlantic and have started their first round match up against Toronto. They shattered expectations throughout the regular season, but right now is all that matters. The Maple Leafs are the task at hand, and the Bruins need to defeat them before they look any further. The Bruins easily took Game 1, blowing out Toronto 5-1. But last night’s showing should not teeter your expectations of this series.

 

Toronto is a young, energetic team that has quite a bit of offensive prowess.   Even with Auston Matthews spending 20 games on the IR, the Leafs still managed to finish third league-wide in goals-for.   This speaks volumes to their depth up front. 20 year-old forward Mitch Marner leads the team in scoring with 69 points. Matthews isn’t far behind at 63, and William Nylander has also made his mark by putting up 61 of his own.   Nazem Kadri got off to a slow start, but picked it up during the second half. He’s not a huge offensive threat, but look for him and Marchand to be taking jabs at each other every chance they get. That’ll be a whole game on its own. Also, look out for Patrick Marleau. He put up mediocre numbers, but he’s a veteran presence with 120 career playoff points.

Toronto’s defense is less of a concern. They were 12th in goals-against with 230, but their defensive core is weak. They have a few solid guys like Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly, but the others are shaky. Luckily for the Leafs, Frederick Andersen has had a career year in net.  This has kept their semi-reliable defense from getting more exposed.  Andersen set a career high with 38 wins while posting a .918 save percentage. Curtis McElhinney has also been a reliable back-up. In 18 games played he put up a miniscule 2.15 GAA to go with a .934 save percentage.

WEARING THEM OUT

Make no mistake about it- this will not be an easy first round. This Toronto team is fast, skilled, and determined. They have an excess of young talent but they could be too young for their own good. Their three leading scorers are ages 20, 20, and 21. The team relies on these players but they may not be able to handle playoff hockey.   There’s a sharp uptake in physicality during the postseason and the Bruins can play this game better than anyone.

As long as they can limit the production from Matthews, Nylander, and Marner, the B’s should be able to take the series.

 

Cover image courtesy of NHL.com.