Rosenhof: Story » competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahe

TORONTO – About a week ago, on a quiet Saturday morning, Randy Carlyle prodded the recent play of his usually potent top line, urging the need for our big guys to get going. But because the Leafs were finding offence from a variety of sources and winning games in mostly thorough fashion the usually-obsessive hockey hub of Toronto barely noticed. That changed Thursday evening when the Leafs stubbed their toe against the hurting New Jersey Devils, their first line hardly making a dent in a 5-3 loss at the ACC. I didnt think our top line was very good and the minutes showed that, Carlyle said afterward, the Leafs top line garnering third-unit ice-time in defeat. And while it may seem a very recent trend, Torontos top line of Phil Kessel, James van Riemsdyk and Tyler Bozak has actually been trending in the wrong direction offensively for the better part of a couple weeks. Theyve hit some on a mostly productive top power-play unit, but produced little to nothing at even-strength of late. Kessel, who still leads the team with 17 even-strength points, has just two such points in the past nine games and only one goal. van Riemsdyk, who recently described his start to the season as lacking, has just four even-strength points in that same stretch and is tied with Bozak for fifth on the Leafs this season (behind the likes of Leo Komarov, Nazem Kadri and Mike Santorelli). Only the 28-year-old Bozak has managed to consistently make an impact, most of that, however, coming on special teams. So often a one-and-done attack last season, the Leafs have gotten by just fine offensively despite that lack of production, ranking second in the league with 3.36 goals per game. Santorelli has emerged with 18 points already, including nine in the past five games. And quiet early despite fine underlying numbers, Kadri and linemate Joffrey Lupul have also recently come alive, the latter posting three goals and five points in three games upon return from injury. Spurred by an unusually quiet and almost withdrawn Kessel, the Leafs top unit spent most of Thursday evening stuck in the defensive zone, rarely challenging Cory Schneider and the Devils, who were playing without a whole slew of top players and had lost five straight previously. We had a tough time getting going, Kessel said a day later, denying speculation that he was hurt while also hinting that he was not at 100 per cent. I think we had a hard time getting into that game [Thursday] night. Its a line that struggles to defend – poor possession numbers indicative of that – one that typically gives up more goals than it scores, but also one that can be a force off the rush many nights – if sometimes sacrificing defence to do so. Kessel, van Riemsdyk, and Bozak have all been on the ice for more goals against this season at even-strength than theyve managed to produce, a trend that dates back to last year and even beyond that to the days of Ron Wilson (Lupul manning the left side of the line at that stage). Only this season has Carlyle (and a revamped coaching staff) started to trim their starts in the defensive zone, matching them less against opposing top lines and easing a burden its become clear they cant always handle. With new assistants Steve Spott and Peter Horachek at his side – along with incumbent Chris Dennis – Carlyle has opted for more of a two-pronged approach this season, often employing a second unit – be it one with Kadri or Peter Holland at centre – to counter-act the best the opposition can throw out there. Theres certain times that you go head to head [with your top line] and when you do you have the confidence that your guys are going to be able to at least manage the same amount of time in the offensive zone – youre not going to be held in your zone for extended periods of time, Carlyle said of the strategy earlier this week. Bozaks faceoff acumen (57 per cent) was an added factor, Carlyle says, offering that group more of an opportunity to start with the puck and make plays thus. It frustrates offensive players, guaranteed it frustrates offensive players if they have to play defence, he said. But rather than frustrate the Devils top offensive players (or what was left of them), it was the Leafs top line that proved frustrated on Thursday. Last night definitely we got frustrated in the end because we werent playing our best, Bozak said. We felt like we were turning it over too much and playing too much in our own end. As noted above, this is not really a new problem for the Leafs. Save for breaking up the line entirely, they could opt for the approach the Canucks formerly took with the Sedin twins. Under then-head coach Alain Vigneault, Vancouver planted Daniel and Henrik almost exclusively in the offensive zone, taking full advantage of their supreme ability to generate offence off the cycle. The trouble for Toronto in doing so similarly is the manner in which their top group generates offence. Thats in transition, the trio thriving off turnovers and speed through the neutral zone. Weve got to use that to our advantage, van Riemsdyk said of the speed game. Were a good skating line and we want to make teams pay when they turn the puck over. Key for Carlyle, conversely, is how they take care of the puck. All three of them can skate, he said. Management of the puck from deep in our zone through the neutral ice is the most critical. Like Wilson before him, Carlyle appears willing to put up with the lines defensive troubles if it can match, at the very least, those troubles with some offence. But thats not been the case of late, hence the push for something more. The key is knowing what we have to do better, van Riemsdyk said, but theres no reason for us to be panicking. Weve still scored a bunch of goals and played good offensively, weve just got to find a little bit more consistency with it and well be fine. Denzel Ward Browns Jersey . Ronaldo netted his 14th goal of the season in Europes top competition to give Madrid a clear advantage ahead of next weeks quarterfinal return leg in Germany. But it came at a price as the Portugal forward, who came into the first-leg nursing a sore left knee, came off in the 80th minute. Damarious Randall Jersey . His head snapped back from the impact and hit the floor. The All-Star power forward was all right afterward, a relief for the Minnesota Timberwolves. http://www.footballbrownsnflprostore.com/Youth-Chad-Thomas-Elite-Jersey/ . - Robert Griffin III has a sprained throwing shoulder that limited him in practice Wednesday as the Washington Redskins prepared for their season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Damarious Randall Browns Jersey . Griffin scored 13 of his 31 points in the final 7:05 and Dudley got 11 of his 20 points in the third quarter, leading the defending Pacific Division champions to a 112-85 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. "Dud is a shooter. Austin Corbett Jersey . So far, so good: Gonzalez has allowed one run through 12 innings this season. His second start came Tuesday night, when he gave up only three singles over six innings to lead the Nationals to a 5-0 victory over the Miami Marlins.WINNIPEG - Bryan Little had to watch the replay to make sure he scored the overtime winner in a 2-1 Winnipeg Jets victory against the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday afternoon.With 25 seconds left on the clock in the extra frame, Jets captain Andrew Ladd sent a long backhand shot toward Avs goalie Semyon Varlamov, which Little deflected from the front of the net for his fifth goal of the season.Honestly, I didnt think I did, Little said. But then I saw the replay, and if I did, I didnt feel it.I dont know, ask Laddy.Ladd had scored his second goal of the season, and 100th goal with the Jets franchise, at 6:35 of the first period after redirecting defenceman Zach Bogosians point shot through Varlamovs legs.His assist was the 200th of his NHL career.I saw Lits at the net so I just figured wed get some action there. You know, hope something lucky went in, Ladd said.I think at that point, you really dont want to mess around with plays up top so I thought it was the safe play and lucky it went in.Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec stopped 22 shots in regulation and overtime.Jamie McGinn scored Colorados goal on the power play with 18 seconds left in the first period. Varlamov faced 28 shots.It was Winnipegs (3-5-0) first game of the season that went to extra time while Colorado (2-4-3) has now lost three in overtime.Winnipeg outshot the Avalanche 6-2 in overtime.I thought we had a lot of good chances in the first (period), we just didnt score on those ones, Colorado head coach Patrick Roy said. Obviously, we had a few good looks also in overtime. (Gabriel Landeskog) had a chance there and then their goalie made a great save on that play. I thought it was a great game. Roy had nothing but praise for his netminder.I think Varly knows he played a really good game, Roy said. I dont think theres much to be said there. I thought we played well in front of him.Colorado defenceman Erik JJohnson left the ice after being checked into the boards in the third period, but Roy said he hadnt talked to the trainer about his status.ddddddddddddoth teams had power-play chances late in regulation.With 3:32 left in the game, Jets forward Mathieu Perreault was called for holding, giving the Avalanche their fourth power play of the game. Winnipeg then went on its third power play of the game after forward John Mitchell was called for tripping with 1:18 left. They had a shot blocked and another stopped by Varlamov. Pavelec also stopped a one-timer by defenceman Tyson Barrie.The game wrapped up the Jets five-game homestand, in which they went 2-3-0.McGinn scored his goal with 18 seconds left in the first period when he got his stick on a rebound off Barries one-timer. It was just seven seconds after Bogosian was handed a double minor for high sticking Matt Duchene.Barrie extended his point streak to four games (five assists, one goal) with the helper. Alex Tanguay also added an assist, putting him on a four-game point streak (3G, 2A).Duchene said the Avalanche played hard and had chances, but the Jets neutralized their speed and skill.We easily could have won that hockey game, Duchene said. Kind of a flukie one at the end there. I still dont know how it ended up in the net. Even their first one there, tipped by Ladd in the front.Things got heated with 4:01 left in the second period after Jets forward Dustin Byfuglien checked Barrie hard into the boards. Mitchell then came at Byfuglien, who smashed him to the ice, too.Mitchell was assessed four minutes for roughing and Byfuglien, who assisted on Littles goal, got a roughing minor.Winnipeg heads out for a four-game road trip, starting Tuesday against the New York Islanders.The Avalanche, who had a dominating 7-3 home win Friday against Vancouver, return home for a game against San Jose on Tuesday. Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '