Though the Leafs' worst penalty kill in the league has been the topic of discussion all year; last night's game exhibited yet again, that the Leafs can't kill a penalty if their live's depended on it. Not only do they have grave difficulty killing penalties, but they also can't seem to eliminate the stupid penalties that have them as the 10th most penalized team in the NHL thus far. After last nights 3-2 loss to the Jets, the Leafs' penalty kill now ranks dead last at 72.3%.
Even though I tend to be a closet Ron Wilson fan, the fact that the Leafs have spent 3 straight seasons in the bottom five of penalty killing has to be an alarming fact to say the least. Even more sickening is despite minimal improvements to the squad this year, the team still can't seem to kill a penalty, even with the likes of PK specialists Steckel, Connolly and Dupuis. Additionally, youngsters Schenn and Gardiner have been inconsistent all year, despite a few acts of brilliance (more Gardiner than Schenn) throughout the season. Moreover, last night's loss undoubtedly points fingers at both d-men yet again as they had identical plays that accidentally screened Reimer for two goals, and ultimately led to the Leafs demise. The fact that the Leafs evidently don't block shots half as much as the teams with top PK's, may also attribute to many of the horrific displays Leafs fans have witnessed this season.
The question is, what do the Leafs as an organization do about this lingering PK problem that has overshadowed the Leafs for the past 3 and a half years? Or better yet can they do anything with Wilson's same old systems in place? With Eric Staal rumours still lingering after Burke's Christmas "trade freeze", I can assure you that if they can't kill a fucking penalty and continue to take ridiculous ones; not even a concussion-less Crosby could lead them to playoff success, let alone a Cup. The Leafs need to address a system that has obviously failed them over the past few years, as the PK help they have acquired hasn't done much to help.
With that said, Burke's loyalty and pride have obviously got to him yet again, as a contract extension for Wilson was awarded last week. How the fuck you award a new contract to a coach who has yet to make the playoffs or get his team out of the bottom 5 in PK for the past 3 years is beyond me. In light of this, if Wilson does miraculously turn the Leafs' PK around and get them into the playoffs, all of this will be forgotten. But if they don't make it, you can bet that it was because of a PK that hasn't improved in 3 years, and because of a coach that has had 4 seasons and multiple ingredients over the years to improve it.
With that said, Burke's loyalty and pride have obviously got to him yet again, as a contract extension for Wilson was awarded last week. How the fuck you award a new contract to a coach who has yet to make the playoffs or get his team out of the bottom 5 in PK for the past 3 years is beyond me. In light of this, if Wilson does miraculously turn the Leafs' PK around and get them into the playoffs, all of this will be forgotten. But if they don't make it, you can bet that it was because of a PK that hasn't improved in 3 years, and because of a coach that has had 4 seasons and multiple ingredients over the years to improve it.
