They just won four in a row against some pretty strong teams.... yes they lost to the lowly devils, but every team underestimates some team and then realizes they can't do that.
I don't even think they have to win tonight, but if they can keep the Canucks close and play a solid game, it would be fine by me. They are not going to score 5 every night. Since they have been, they thought they'd be able to do that against the Devils and they weren't having it.
We can't be shouting for wholesale changes after every loss. Hell even the Oilers aren't doing that... and they should
Do this and you'll know exactly what I mean. Go online and find a lengthy article that is full of jargon. Science, philosophy, etc. whatever field you are not that much into. Now read 5-6-7 paragraphs, and really pay attention to what is being discussed.
At one point your head may start hurting and you find yourself needing to pause, look away, take a breather, and then read the next few sentences. This by no mean means that you can't read, or you are not smart etc.
That's what I mean when I say this collection of players have time and time again shown that they have a tough time staying focused. It seems like they go on a run, in other words read the first couple of paragraphs, their heads start hurting and they need to lose focus for a few games, and then they get right back to winning. This is regardless of the level of competition they are facing. They can go on runs against good and bad competition, it's just a matter of where they are focus wise.
During last night's Raps game the commentators explained how an NBA team needs mental toughness to do well in an 82-game series. That, along with a clear cut number 1C and 1D, is exactly what this team doesn't have. Some of it comes from the coach and lack of preparation, but a lot of it is on the players. Individually, on a mentally tough team, these players are more than capable of contributing to a cup winning team, but together they haven't shown that kind of mental toughness.
Now note that this observation is not based on just what's happening this season. Looking at the standings, the truth is that if they win the two games they have in hand, they'll just be 6 points out of first place in the east. There is parity in this league and we can't expect an NBA type dominance from any league. I am more talking about the streaks, both positive and negatives ones, that these guys tend to go on.
Having said that, I believe tonight will be a good night. Vancouver is on a east coast trip, Leafs haven't played a back to back, and are coming off a bit of a skid. I am scared that they are playing at home though.
