Not trying to sound like a jerk here but the Leafs issues lie in playing a run and gun style of hockey and not more of a team defense style. The run and gun style is more conducive of regular season success than playoff success. The teams that beat the Leafs are doing it by locking down the front of the net and not allowing the Leafs to play with speed through the neutral zone. Tampa of course is the exception since they can play either way. I think the Leafs need a better top 4 shutdown RHD than Lyubushkin (perhaps Manson if he hits the open market) and a shift in their system to focus a little more on locking down the defensive end heading down the stretch and into the playoff. If they do these I could see them making it out of the 1st round with ease. Too many times over the last few years the Leafs have left their goalie out to dry because they were trying to break out quickly and not worrying about the defensive side of the game.

That's an emphatic no from Minnesota.

True.

cbj accept