Time for change?

Brian Burke may have to consider firing his friend this off-season.

It has been a long time since I last posted. It has been hard for me to write anything about this team that hasn't already been said, and it is difficult for me to write about this team as it continues to struggle.

Entering this 2010/11 season, I had very high hopes. With improved goaltending, a new captain, and a few more players up front, I thought this team would be competing for a playoff spot. Instead, the Toronto Maple Leafs find themselves fighting to stay out of the draft lottery.

It is hard to say if this version of the team is any better then the team we saw struggle to compete last season. Between Giggy and the Monster, our goaltending has been only a small percentage better. Our defence has Brett Lebda continuing to give the opposition opportunities to score while Mike Komisarek gets paid a boat load to be, at best, a third pairing defender. The offence has moments where they look good, but then the team gets shut out by Dwayne Roloson. Seriously, Roloson must love it anytime he sees the Leafs are coming to town. I cannot remember him ever playing poorly against us.

This is not really what I wanted to talk about, really. What I did want to talk about was the coach of this hockey team, Ron Wilson.

Throughout the last three seasons, two things have been consistent with this Maple Leafs team. The powerplay has been anemic and the penalty kill has been an absolute joke. Both of these failures, at least from what I've seen, can both be blamed on the current coaching staff of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

This has been a huge frustration for me. I am not angry that the team has struggled, but that the powerplay has continued to look the exact same over three years with Kessel replacing Mats Sundin on the side boards. The coaching staff has failed to move players around and change to look of the powerplay despite the lack of success.

I remember when Paul Maurice was behind the bench, the Leafs started out with the cross crease pass to Tucker. As teams keyed in on that move, the powerplay shifted to focus more on an umbrella with Sundin on the side boards. When the powerplay struggled, the team tried different things instead of just staying with one system.

With Ron Wilson behind the bench, the players have changed completely but the results have stayed the same. I know this current Leafs team was not expected to set the NHL on fire, but they have looked absolutely pathetic on some nights. I think a coaching change needs to happen. This team may not be a lock for the playoffs right now, but is better then 26th overall in league.

Will Ron Wilson be the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs next season?

Boston and Los Angeles

The Bruins stroll into Los Angeles tonight to face an angry Kings team. Boston has given up a league low 109 goals and come off an impressive 6-2 victory in Colorado. The Bruins remain a threat in the playoffs having received ridiculous goaltending from Tim Thomas and shutting down the opposition.

The Kings for the 2nd time this season find themselves in a major slump. The Kings have won just 3 of their last 10 but do come off a 4-3 win in Phoenix the other night. The Kings sit 4 points out of the playoffs and need to get on track before it's too late.

Look for the Kings to come out flying tonight and get back on track.

Take the Kings -120

Buffalo at Boston

Look for the Bruins to keep their winning ways going. Tonight's pick.

Boston -160

Wednesday Prediction

NY Rangers should end two-game losing streak against Toronto at MSG

The Pick: NY Rangers -175 over Toronto

The NY Rangers have lost two in a row and have only scored eight goals in their last five games which prompted John Tortorella to call out his players, specifically Marian Gaborik. The head coach is obviously angry and we're expecting the team to feed off that against the Maple Leafs. The Rangers haven't played bad during the losing streak, but still did not get the results to show for it. During the loss on Saturday to Montreal, Carey Price stood on his head to give the Habs the win 3-2. On Sunday, the Rangers trailed the Flyers early, and mounted a comeback only to come up short and they lost 3-2. Toronto has won four of their last five on the road, but are also struggling to score goals recently. The Rangers have won two of the three meetings between this clubs and we expect that to continue.

Tuesday Prediction

Anaheim Ducks should begin four-game road trip with a win over Ottawa.

The Pick: Anaheim -105 over Ottawa

Since the other Southern California team let us down last night, we'll take a chance with the Anaheim Ducks on the road over the struggling Senators. The Ducks are clearly better at home than on the road, but tonight they face an Ottawa team without Jason Spezza, Alex Kovalev, and goalie Pascal Leclaire. Anaheim is without Ryan Getzlaf, but still has enough playmakers with Corey Perry, Bobby Ryan, and Teemu Selanne. Huge goaltending edge for the Ducks with Jonas Hiller over Brian Elliot. This is a game the Ducks must win if they want to be a playoff team. We can't see them taking Ottawa lightly.

Monday Prediction

Kings should cool of Stars in Dallas tonight on Versus

Prediction: Los Angeles +115

Last week: 2-3 (first losing week of the season)

The Los Angeles Kings concluded a brutal homestand by winning 5-2 over Edmonton on Saturday which made them 2-6 on the season-long eight straight games at Staples Center. Perhaps, the Kings got some confidence with that win, and are actually looking forward to going on the road. They played with more energy on Saturday and have seemed to finally get star players Anze Kopitar and Drew Doughty more involved. Both players were exceptional against the Oilers at both ends of the ice. The Dallas Stars conclude a three-game homestand tonight and are coming off an impressive win over the struggling Thrashers on Saturday night. However, Dallas has had trouble with the Kings this season by losing the first two meetings, and the Kings have played well in Dallas the last few years. Los Angeles is the more desperate team entering tonight's action sitting three points out of the playoffs and ten points behind first place Dallas. A rested Jonathan Quick will be in goal tonight for the Kings who normally gives Dallas fits. We also feel the Kings should enjoy finally playing a road game.

Sunday Prediction

Look for the Anaheim Ducks to keep up their winning ways at the Pond against the Oil

Prediction: Anaheim -180

No team has won more games at home in the Western Conference than the Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks record at the Arrowhead Pond is 16-7-1, and the Oilers are a woeful 7-11-4 on the road. The Ducks played last night and lost at Phoenix 6-2 in a game that saw Jonas Hiller get pulled after the 2nd period. The injury depleted Edmonton Oilers lost in Los Angeles 5-2 last night in a game that got out of hand midway through the third period. The fact that the Ducks had won six of seven entering last night, and have been solid at home makes them a safe bet. Edmonton is simply missing too many key players right now, especially on defense. Look for Anaheim to rebound from a poor effort and win once again at home.