St. Louis Game Time - Maple Leafs At Blues Morning Open Thread: More Slumpbusting Ahead?We're one ugly bastard.https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/10753/gt-fave.png2013-12-12T23:20:44-06:00http://www.stlouisgametime.com/rss/stream/49664072013-12-12T23:20:44-06:002013-12-12T23:20:44-06:00Recap: Blues Defeat The Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3
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<img alt="I am going to touch the buttttt! " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/C507DTHNs6jcpb5kyCF6CzXbTDI=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25047669/455677719.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>I am going to touch the buttttt! | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>Tonight the St. Louis Blues came out of the gate roaring. They took it to a tired Maple Leafs team. As Hildy mentioned in the preview this is a game the Blues SHOULD win. And win they did… </p> <p class="p1">Tonight the First Period was one of the best periods of hockey the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">St. Louis Blues</a> have played in quite a while. At 4:48 of the first period <span>Alexander Steen</span> would set up a perfect pass for <span>David Backes</span> to put the puck in the back of the Leafs net.</p>
<p class="p1"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020477-64-ingame-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1"><span>Jaden Schwartz</span> was everywhere on the ice in the first period. The kid had jump with a little bit of pomp and circumstance, as any member of the royal family should have. But damn that kid was a force to be reckoned with. He has been a very positive and big asset to the Blues organization this year, thus far. At 12:59 all of his hard work in the period would be rewarded. Schwartz would lead the rush with Vladimir Sobotka. Sobe would pass the puck to Swartzie, who would take a shot and get his own rebound past the Leafs’ James Reimer.</p>
<p class="p1"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020477-90-ingame-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1">The first would continue to showcase the Blues talent but would also showcase some of the teams work ethic. The Blues dominated the play and controlled the puck pretty much at every minute of the period. After Steener took a penalty for tripping against <span>David Clarkson</span> at 13:27 the Blues would kill off their only penalty of the period. At 16:10 <span>Derek Roy</span> would add another point to #RoyWatch. Roy would get assists from <span>Chris Stewart</span> and The Prince of Wales. The goal was very reminiscent of the Backes goal. This goal would chase the Reimer out of the net to be replaced by <span>Jonathan Bernier</span>.</p>
<p class="p1"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020477-203-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1">The period would end with the Blues up, 3-0. With one of the best Blues performances of the early month.</p>
<p class="p1">The Second Period would carry over the jump the blue and yellow had throughout the first. At 00:29 Chris stewart would sneak the puck past Bernier after a great play set up by Sobotka and Schwartzie.</p>
<p class="p1"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020477-218-ingame-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1">The Leafs would gain a bit of momentum while down 4-0. At 1:45 the Leafs’ Nazem Kadri would get the puck past the otherwise marvelous play of Brian Elliott. The rest of the period the Blues would maintain their defense and composure. David Clarkson would try to decapitate Sobe at 6:28 and then open the <span>Roman Polak</span> door and be forced to body slam Polak down to the ice to "win" the fight.</p>
<p class="p1">The Third Period would see the Blues reinvigorate their play. At 7:04 Mr. Steeny would get a gorgeous pass from TJ Oshie and let off a sick wrister past Bernier.</p>
<p class="p1"><iframe src="http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=2013020477-435-h" frameborder="0" width="640" height="395"></iframe></p>
<p class="p1">The Leafs would get a surge in life in the third. After Ian Cole took a roughing penalty at 7:19 against David Clarkson. Toronto would surge on the power play and gain their footing where as the Blues let up on the gas pedal just a little bit. The Leafs would pounce at 14:30. <span>Nikolai Kulemin</span> would get a lucky break when #OshieDown would lose his stick returning to his defensive zone and get a wrist shot glove side past Elliott. Almost 3 minutes later Alexander Petrangelo would put the puck in the back of the net of his skate, unfortunately it just so happened to be his own net. The resurgence would end there as the Blues would step back on the gas pedal. Toronto would pull their goalie with 2 minutes left leaving their net unattended. At 19:30 David Backes would set up to clear the defensive zone of the puck with a bounce off of the glass and surprisingly end up in the back of the empty net. Giving the Blues the nail in the coffin on the game with a score of 6-3.</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h4><b>Three Stars of the Game</b></h4>
<p class="p1"><b>Third: </b></p>
<p class="p1">Chris Stewart</p>
<p class="p1"><b>Second: </b></p>
<p class="p1">Alexander Steen</p>
<p class="p1"><b>First: </b></p>
<p class="p1">Jaden Schwartz</p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h4>Bluenotes from Twitter</h4>
<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Just saw half naked Sobe, jiggling his junk. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23blueslive&amp;src=hash">#blueslive</a> is my favorite show.</p>&mdash; TruBlueGirls (@TruBlueGirls) <a href="https://twitter.com/TruBlueGirls/statuses/411299064676757504">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Schwartzie is scoring tonight, I can feel it! And after he does, I expect this tweet to be featured in the SLGT recap tonight. <a href="https://twitter.com/RealBadRobot">@RealBadRobot</a></p>&mdash; Jason McAdams (@JMill1120) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMill1120/statuses/411305827929030657">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So, <a href="https://twitter.com/JMill1120">@JMill1120</a> has ESP with the Schwartz goal.</p>&mdash; Laura (@hildymac) <a href="https://twitter.com/hildymac/statuses/411307822534914049">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>So its good to know that <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23steener&amp;src=hash">#steener</a> has some good D too... <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&amp;src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>&mdash; Samuel McKinney (@Samuelkent) <a href="https://twitter.com/Samuelkent/statuses/411318412447457280">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Great. Steen broke Oshie. He&#39;s off to the locker room.</p>&mdash; Laura (@hildymac) <a href="https://twitter.com/hildymac/statuses/411319580821565440">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>What a shift by Tarasenko. Redirection was a great save by Bernier, then hunts puck down &amp; rings one off the post. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&amp;src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>&mdash; Lou Korac (@lkorac10) <a href="https://twitter.com/lkorac10/statuses/411319824933875712">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Oh, Tarasenko. You do have a nose for the post here recently, bud.</p>&mdash; Laura (@hildymac) <a href="https://twitter.com/hildymac/statuses/411319884262674432">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Clarkson just opened the Polak door.</p>&mdash; Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/411323823300956161">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Someone put Clarkson on suicide watch.... fighting Polak?????</p>&mdash; Timothy Cron (@CrossCheckRaise) <a href="https://twitter.com/CrossCheckRaise/statuses/411324279049838592">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
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<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Maybe the reason the Leafs have no &#39;giveaways&#39; is because they never have the puck.</p>&mdash; Mister Falcon (@CarcelMousineau) <a href="https://twitter.com/CarcelMousineau/statuses/411323617239396353">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
<p class="p1"><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Oshie&#39;s assist gives him 23 this season, which ranks No. 8 in the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23nhl&amp;src=hash">#nhl</a>.</p>&mdash; Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/411333536902180864">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
<p class="p1"><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p class="p2"> </p>
<h4>Tweet of the Game</h4>
<p class="p1"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>After Backes finished an interview &amp; reporters moved onto Schwartz, Backes warned Schwartz: &quot;I might&#39;ve called you short &amp; stout.&quot; <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23stlblues&amp;src=hash">#stlblues</a></p>&mdash; Jeremy Rutherford (@jprutherford) <a href="https://twitter.com/jprutherford/statuses/411353204136226817">December 13, 2013</a></blockquote></p>
<p> </p>
<p class="p1"><script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5206238/recap-blues-rake-up-the-tired-maple-leafs-6-3RealBadRobot2013-12-12T21:52:17-06:002013-12-12T21:52:17-06:00GIF: Backes Banks One Into The Empty Net
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<p>Either David Backes was studying to be an engineer (if I remember correctly, he was) or else he is a pool shark. Those are the only two things that can explain this tremendous bank shot off of the Scottrade glass and into Toronto's empty net:</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3713601/Backes_Bank_Shot.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3713601/Backes_Bank_Shot_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Backes_bank_shot_medium"></a> <br id="1386906585683"></p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://cdn3.sbnation.com/assets/3713609/Backes_Bank_Shot.gif"><img src="http://cdn1.sbnation.com/assets/3713609/Backes_Bank_Shot_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Backes_bank_shot_medium"></a></p>
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<p>Those are some mad geometry skills on the fly. The goal would be the last of the game, putting the cap on a 6-3 St. Louis victory over the visiting <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5206060/gif-david-backes-banks-shot-off-glass-empty-net-goalhildymac2013-12-12T18:30:02-06:002013-12-12T18:30:02-06:00Leafs At Blues Game Day Thread: Leaf-able Hockey
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<img alt="Steen. Steen Steen Steen, Toronto, Steen Steen Steen Steen. " src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ua4We7uCVsoFw-2TxCtsMSYXmV0=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25034993/132197155.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steen. Steen Steen Steen, Toronto, Steen Steen Steen Steen. | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Blues are back home against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Can the Leafs break up their terrible Deathcember, or will the Blues just add to their problems?</p> <p>First off, a big hi to anyone from <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets</a> who might be wandering over this way tonight. I promise, we do not bite. We can sense a kindred spirit, ones who are full of a quiet resignation that next season will be the year. We know.</p>
<p>We know.</p>
<p>Anywho, the <a href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Maple Leafs</a> are back at Scottrade for the first time in a while, and they're without <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">Dion Phaneuf</a>, who is currently suspended. They just lost a tough one to the <a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Kings</a>, and they're probably unhappy about that. They're not going to be an easy win, but they're an opponent the <a href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Blues</a> should beat. How can I tell? Brian Elliott's in tonight! Haaaay, Elliott!</p>
<p>There's not a goalie controversy, I promise.</p>
<p>This is your game day thread. Let's fill up Scottrade, Let's beat Bernier now that he's not on the Kings anymore. Let's serve up some Optimus Reim-rib.</p>
<p>That last one was a bit of a stretch. I'm sorry.</p>
<p>Let's do this. Let's Go Blues.</p>
<p>BTW, never forget. 5-1 ain't no thang.</p>
<p><iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/C4kxfgP1mEc" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1386896132332"></p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5205420/gamethread-for-toronto-maple-leafs-at-st-louis-blues-dec-12-2013hildymac2013-12-12T15:00:04-06:002013-12-12T15:00:04-06:00Leafs At Blues Game Preview: Remember Steen?
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<figcaption>Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>The Toronto Maple Leafs ditched Alexander Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo five years ago. Let's check up on those two, shall we?</p> <p>You know a trade is bad <a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/85521-maple-leafs-make-awful-trade-for-lee-stempniak" target="_blank">when Bleacher Report slams it</a> - and is correct in doing so (except for that part where <span>Brad Boyes</span> is with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> for a decade). And, of course, for Leafs fans the trade that sent <span>Alexander Steen</span> and <span>Carlo Colaiacovo</span> to the blues for <span>Lee Stempniak</span> was a terrible one. Sure, Colaiacovo was constantly hurt (and was constantly hurt here in St. Louis during his first tenure with the Blues), but he was a pretty decent defenseman. And Steen? After the Leafs were wooed by the scoring prowess of Stemper - who in just 62 (!) games played for the Leafs had 14 goals - they gave up on Steen and shipped him to St. Louis, marking Cliff Fletcher's final bad decision as <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Maple Leafs</a> general manager.</p>
<p>I hope the two-thirds of a season of Stempniak was worth the Blues having five of Steen. It was to us.</p>
<p>Now that the "ha ha we have Steen" is out of the way, the Leafs haven't been doing well as of late. The folks at Pension Plan Puppets have dubbed this month and its horrible schedule of impossible opponents - and Florida - as "<a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2013/12/12/5203298/ll-links-maple-leafs-news-notes-dec-12-2013" target="_blank">Deathcember</a>." The Leafs have allowed more shots on goal than just about any other team. Last night, in their 3-1 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/">Los Angeles Kings</a>, they actually outshot their opponent and played a tight game despite the final score. This is a tough team to play, with or without captain <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="#">Dion Phaneuf</a>, and they should be much better than their 16-13-3 record.</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's Competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Toronto Maple Leafs blog Pension Plan Puppets</a></div>
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<p><span>Brian Elliott</span> is back in tonight, <a href="http://lkorac10.blogspot.com/2013/12/12-12-13-blues-notebook.html" target="_blank">according to Lou Korac</a>. Everyone who thinks that this the start of a goalie controversy can go take a long walk off of a short pier. Elliott played very well against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Winnipeg Jets</a> Tuesday night, and coach Ken Hitchcock is more than likely rewarding him for that. Or just starting him against another "should beat" opponent.</p>
<p>Tonight's game should be a fun one, especially if <span>Jaden Schwartz</span> has another game like he did in Winnipeg. He's improved as a player leaps and bounds this season over last. The Blues have points in their last five games against the Leafs; let's see if Prince William can help to make it six.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5204332/leafs-at-blues-game-preview-remember-alexander-steenhildymac2013-12-12T11:00:03-06:002013-12-12T11:00:03-06:00Lighting The Lamp: Turning A New Leaf
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<img alt="Memorabilia: a signed Maple Leafs Alexander Steen jersey and a plethora of figures, including (l-r) Frank Mahovlich, Darryl Sittler, Tim Horton, Lanny McDonald and Dion Phaneuf" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/1kn217YTOtIUvNQg6Tzhkm1esj0=/0x32:1100x765/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/24978829/toronto_maple_leafs_002.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Memorabilia: a signed Maple Leafs Alexander Steen jersey and a plethora of figures, including (l-r) Frank Mahovlich, Darryl Sittler, Tim Horton, Lanny McDonald and Dion Phaneuf | Rick Ackerman</figcaption>
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<p>You might recognize the "Lighting the Lamp" feature from the Game Time paper. Rick Ackerman has been nice enough to send over his column for the website. "Lighting the Lamp" will be featured every home game day.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i>Lighting The Lamp, With Rick Ackerman</i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Like the Blues, the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs got off to a great start this season, winning ten of the first 14 games in October to lead the Atlantic Division. Since then, however, Toronto has only won six of 17 games, settling down to fifth place in the division. The Leafs can score (86 goals), led by enigmatic winger Phil Kessel with 16 goals and 29 points, yet have major difficulties with team defense, ranked 20th in the league with 2.74 goals against per game. Nor is the problem with goaltending, as both Jonathan Bernier and James Reimer sport excellent save percentages, .929 and .932 respectively. The Maple Leafs biggest problem is allowing far too many shots against (1150, a whopping average of 37 per game), ranked dead last in the league. (Statistics do not include the Leafs' match last night against the Kings in Toronto.)</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Toronto was a founding member of the NHL in 1917, however, the franchise was originally a temporary franchise and was not called the Maple Leafs. Before the NHL was formed, the National Hockey Association consisted of teams from Montreal (Canadiens and Wanderers), Quebec (Bulldogs), Ottawa (Senators) and Toronto (Blueshirts).<span> </span>Cantankerous, troublesome Eddie Livingstone, owner of the Blueshirts, fought many a battle with the other owners and they wanted rid of him. So, the other owners voted to disband the NHA and form the NHL, leaving Livingstone out in the cold in a league all by himself. Yet it would be unthinkable not to have a team in Toronto, so a temporary franchise was granted to the Arena Company, owners of the Arena Gardens in Toronto. The Arena Company leased the Blueshirts' players and were granted a year to work out any disputes with Livingstone. The franchise did not have an official name and was referred to by fans and the press as the Blueshirts or Torontos. Toronto went on to win the Stanley Cup at the end of the NHL's inaugural season in 1918.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>The following season, rather then return the Blueshirts' players to Livingstone as originally promised, the Arena Company formed it's own team, named the Toronto Arena Hockey Club, or Arenas and was granted admission to the NHL. Mounting financial difficulties caused by Livingstone's continuing lawsuits forced the Arenas to sell off most of their star players and suspend operations for the rest of the season after winning only five games, the worst season in franchise history. The ongoing legal dispute with Livingstone forced the franchise into bankruptcy the following season and an ownership group consisting of members of the senior amateur St. Patrick's hockey club purchased the franchise. The Toronto St. Patricks, now clad in green rather than blue, would play in the NHL until 1927, winning another Stanley Cup championship in 1922.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Livingstone continued his legal actions against the franchise, and ten years after the league was founded, the franchise against faced bankruptcy due to ever-increasing legal fees and court costs. The University of Toronto varsity hockey coach, Constantine (Conn) Smythe, a former college player, formed a conglomerate and purchased the franchise on Valentine's Day, 1927. Smythe was a colorful character indeed, serving with distinction and valor in World War I, earning a Military Cross as Commander of the 40th Artillery Battery. He also transferred to the Canadian Royal Flying Corps and served as an artillery observer until he was shot down and captured by the Germans in October, 1917. Smythe was a POW until the end of the war, spending most of his time in solitary confinement after two failed escape attempts. After the war, he formed a successful sand and gravel company and made a small fortune paving the streets of Toronto. In 1926, he was hired by the expansion New York Rangers as GM, yet was fired before the season started due to several disputes with ownership. The Ranger team Smythe largely built went on to win a Stanley Cup in 1928.</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Smythe returned to Toronto and immediately formed the group that would purchase the Toronto franchise. He renamed the club the Maple Leafs and changed back to blue uniforms. Smythe himself said, "The Maple Leaf to us, was the badge of courage, the badge that meant home...so we chose it, hoping that the possession of this badge would mean something to the team that wore it and when they skated out on the ice with this badge on their chest, they would wear it with honour and pride and courage, the way it had been worn by the soldiers of the first Great War in the Canadian Army."</p>
<p> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span> </span>Due to the small size of the Arena Gardens (8,000), Smythe decided to build a new arena, and in November 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens opened at the corner of Carlton and Church Streets in downtown Toronto and the newly named Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup that first season behind rookie coach Dick Irvin. Smythe would rule the roost in Toronto until 1961, when he retired. Under Smythe's direction, the Maple Leafs won seven Stanley Cup championships. He was inducted into the HHOF in 1958 and the Smythe Memorial Trophy was named in his honor. The Smythe Division of the NHL (1974-1993) was also named for his many contributions to the league.</p>
<p>The Blues need to take advantage of a tired club with a porous team-defense, hopefully energized after a hard-fought victory in Winnipeg. A good first period will also help the Blues out of their current doldrums as they attempt to catch and surpass Chicago in the Central Division standings.</p>
https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5202388/lighting-the-lamp-turning-a-new-leafhildymac2013-12-12T08:00:13-06:002013-12-12T08:00:13-06:00Leafs At Blues Morning Open Thread: Falling Leafs
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<figcaption>Oh, you traded Luke Schenn away too? | Dilip Vishwanat</figcaption>
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<p>After a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets, the Blues are looking to keep breaking out of the slump that some sunny California teams helped them get into.</p> <p>I'm pretty happy with the win on Tuesday night. First off, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.arcticicehockey.com/">Jets</a> again, and that's always enjoyable. Second off, they looked a little better out there. Not a lot, but a little.</p>
<p>Perhaps the natural train of progression means that they'll look good tonight against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Toronto Maple Leafs</a>. The currently captain-free Maple Leafs, as <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/2013/12/10/5196020/NHL-Suspends-Dion-Phaneuf-Two-Games-Leafs-Are-Totally-Boned">Dion Phaneuf's been suspended for two games for a hit from behind</a> on Boston's Kevan Miller. Wait. "Kevan?" Is that a made up name like "Jhonny?"</p>
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<span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span> Tonight's competition <span class="blog-links-star"><img src="http://cdn2.sbnation.com/assets/3608771/star.png"></span>
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<div class="blog-links-compact-link-container"><a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com?utm_source=sbnation&utm_medium=bloglinks&utm_campaign=blogs">Toronto Maple Leafs blog Pension Plan Puppets</a></div>
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<p>Jhonny is a real name? Hm.</p>
<p>Anyway, you have a lot of snarking about not having Phaneuf out there lumbering about makes the Leafs a better team. Not sure if that's the case, but him being out certainly isn't going to help their shots against count. In their 5-2 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a>, they allowed 39 shots and blocked 12. In the game before that, against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a>, they allowed a remarkable 50 shots on goal, and managed to win 4-3 in the shootout because the Sens aren't very good this year.</p>
<p>The real problem with Phaneuf being suspended is that I don't have an excuse to embed this:</p>
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<p>Oops, I just did. Good luck getting that out of your head.</p>
<p>Check back later on for a Lighting the Lamp, a game preview in which I remind Leafs fans how awesome <span>Alexander Steen</span> is, and the GDT and RBR recap. In the meantime, head over to our good friends and fellow bitter realists at <a href="http://www.pensionplanpuppets.com/">Pension Plan Puppets</a> and say hi.</p>
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https://www.stlouisgametime.com/2013/12/12/5202310/maple-leafs-at-blues-morning-open-thread-more-slumpbusting-aheadhildymac