News » James van Riemsdyk fired a shot that would

BUFFALO - With 44 seconds left in regulation and a wide-open cage to shoot at, James van Riemsdyk fired a shot that would have tied the score at First Niagara Center. Instead, his attempt was blocked by the left leg of Sabres defender Christian Ehrhoff and the Leafs were sent their fourth loss in five games. "Theres no bigger stop in the game than Ehrhoff on JVR," said Randy Carlyle following the 3-1 defeat in Buffalo, just the second regulation win for the Sabres this season. "But those are the things that are happening against us right now and weve got to find a way to push ourselves through." Offence has been hard to come by for the Leafs in recent days. In fact, theyve scored just four goals in the past five games, just two of those markers coming at even-strength. "Were getting some good chances - weve just got to start burying them," van Riemsdyk said. Tied for third in team scoring with 13 points, van Riemsdyk is one among a number of the teams highest scoring players who have gone quiet. In fact, the four active leading scorers for the Leafs - van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Mason Raymond - have combined for just six goals and six points in the past six games. Furthering those woes are the limited contributions the club has gotten elsewhere. Seven of the 12 forwards who dressed against the Sabres have not scored this season, including David Clarkson, Jay McClement and Nik Kulemin. The defence, meanwhile, has contributed just three goals on the year, two of those empty-netters. Recalled to fill the void of the suspended Nazem Kadri and help stem a gaping gap down the middle, Trevor Smith was the lone Leaf to score in Ted Nolans return behind the bench in Buffalo on Friday. Questioned on the clubs offensive struggles, Carlyle pointed to the need for a simplified approach. "Put the puck towards the net and drive people towards the net," he said. "Shoot the puck; dont try to be so fine. It seems like were trying to pick the top corners or trying to pick spots where we should be just concentrating [on getting the puck to the net]." The Leafs were actually one of the most effective teams offensively at even-strength last season, ranking fourth with 105 goals in five-on-five situations. So far this season though theyve scored just 29 goals, tied for 20th overall after Friday night. It would be easy to point to the recent losses of Tyler Bozak, Dave Bolland and now Kadri for the clubs offensive struggles. But those troubles have only exacerbated an issue thats been simmering all year (12 of the first 47 goals were scored with the man advantage), kept quiet by a potent power-play thats recently gone silent (2-21 in the past seven games). "We had some point-blank [chances]," said Carlyle, who was pleased with his teams effort and intensity despite the loss. "We didnt have, I think, the great number of second opportunities. The puck was bouncing away from us, but yet we had our chances in the hockey game. You look at the difference in the game: power-play. They get a power-play goal and we dont get one." Five Points 1. Centre Ice Issues Never in his extensive coaching career has Carlyle seen quite a predicament such as the one his team currently owns at centre ice. Down their top three centres - with Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland injured and Nazem Kadri suspended - the Leafs are in a state of flux at the position. "Id have to say this is a new one," said Carlyle prior to the game. "You have plan A, B, C and D in the drawer and I think were at E and F right now." Signed to an NHL contract last week, longtime Nashville Predator Jerred Smithson may have been plan E with Trevor Smith returning to the Leafs as plan F. The 28-year-old played with the Marlies in Cleveland on Thursday night, dropped off by the team on their return home. Plugged as a fourth line centre in his previous nine games with the Leafs, Smith was thrust into a larger role against the Sabres. "We cant expect Trevor Smith to come up at put him on our fourth line," Carlyle said. "Its unfair to him in this situation. When we had other people ahead of him, we had Bozak, we had Bolland, its a little bit different, but in tonights situation hes going to play a prominent role in an offensive line." Smith scored just the second even-strength goal for the Leafs in the past five games, the fifth of his career and second this season. He totaled nearly 17 minutes, mostly alongside Raymond and Clarkson. Smithson, meanwhile, continues to log important minutes for Carlyle - 13 against the Sabres - while assuming the bulk of his teams faceoffs. The 34-year-old has taken 80 draws in four games to lead the team. Update - The Leafs acquired 2009 first round pick and centre Peter Holland from Anaheim. A Toronto native, Holland will join the team immediately with an opportunity to play in the top six. 2. JVR at centre Its been clear from the get-go that the move to centre is not one that completely suits van Riemsdyk. But understanding the dilemma the club has faced and continues to face down the middle, the natural winger has complied with the coachs decision. Rarely looking comfortable and appearing to think rather than instinctively react, the 24-year-old has gone pointless in four games down the middle. Asked if those struggles were related to his shifting to centre, van Riemsdyk replied with a sly grin and revealing response. "Thats not for me to decide," he said. Questioned on whether hed reconsider moving van Riemsdyk back to the wing, Carlyle also replied with some frustration. "I dont have anybody else," he said. "What else do you want me to do? Are we going to put a defenceman at forward?" Phil Kessel grew up a centre, but has played wing almost exclusively in the NHL with plenty of success. Mason Raymond played sparingly down the middle in Vancouver, including a game or two due of injuries last season. Like van Riemsdyk, neither is an ideal option. And so, in all likelihood, the Leafs will have to continue to grind down the middle for at least a few more games. Out since Oct. 25 with a hamstring injury, Bozak should return to practice next week and could be available by the weekend, if not early the following week. Kadri will be eligible to return from a three-game suspension on Nov. 21. Carlyle actually employed two centres on the same line against the Sabres - Jay McClement and Smithson - using Carter Ashton sparingly in a fourth line role. 3. Simplify Friday marked just the second time all season that the Leafs have outshot their opponent, but as Carlyle noted after the game, his club has been reluctant to fire pucks consistently toward the net. "When youre struggling a little bit offensively thats what you always want to try to do is simplify a little bit," said van Riemsdyk, "maybe shoot more pucks towards the net, keep driving the net and doing all those things." The Leafs had 33 shots against Ryan Miller. They attempted 59 - to just 35 for Buffalo - 16 of which were blocked, another 10 missing the net. 4. Kadri suspension One would have expected Nazem Kadris hearing with NHL Senior VP of Player Safety Brendan Shanahan to include a moment or two on the Mikael Granlund hit which got the 23-year-old ejected from Wednesdays game in Minnesota. "Thats what I got the match for so I was expecting some sort of discussion about that," said Kadri. "But it was all about the first one. He agreed, he thought the second one was clean." The first one was, of course, the collision with Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom in the opening frame of an eventual 2-1 shootout loss. "I was just trying to go to the net hard to make a play and just ran out of real estate and accidentally bumped into him," said Kadri of the hit which resulted in a concussion for Backstrom. Instigated by general managers following the Ryan Miller-Milan Lucic collision of 2011, Shanahan has tried to increase protection for goaltenders. According to Kadri, what drew the most concern from the league disciplinarian was the violent strike of the right elbow into Backstroms head. Lying motionless on the ice for a few moments, the 35-year-old ultimately remained in the game before leaving shortly thereafter. "Its definitely understandable," said Kadri of the suspension. "I know theyve kind of cracked down on the interference with the goaltenders and players [have] got to be aware of their surroundings now. That being said, it was unintentional." Kadri said he was surprised to receive three games, expecting either a fine or 1-2 game suspension. 5. Bernier sharp shorthanded Though he yielded a power-play goal to the Sabres on Friday, Jonathan Bernier has been among the most effective netminders this season when his team is shorthanded. The 25-year-old has given up just seven power-play goals on 91 shots, the fourth-ranked save percentage (.923) among goaltenders with at least 10 starts this season. Yielding an inopportune rebound to a Tyler Myers point shot, Bernier was beaten when Cody Franson, trying to tie up the stick of Drew Stafford, accidentally nudged to the puck to Steve Ott, who buried it for Buffalos first goal. Stat-Pack 2 - Even-strength goals for the Leafs in the past five games. 2-21 - Leaf power-play in the past seven games, including an 0-3 showing on Friday. 80 - Total faceoffs for Jerred Smithson in four games as a Leaf, leading the team in that span. 0-3-0 - Career record for Jonathan Bernier against the Sabres. 2 - Points for David Clarkson, who added his second assist of the season against the Sabres, but remains goal-less in nine games. 23:26 - Ice-time for Cody Franson against the Sabres, leading the team. 59-35 - Shot attempts favouring the Leafs on Friday night. 6 - Combined goals and points in the past six games from James van Riemsdyk, Phil Kessel, Joffrey Lupul and Mason Raymond. Special Teams Capsule PP: 0-3Season: 21.2% PK: 2-3Season: 84.2% Quote of the Night "That was a heck of a play by him. He made a good read and sacrificed his body for it." -James van Riemsdyk on Christian Ehrhoffs game-saving stop late in the third period. Up Next The Leafs return home Saturday to host the Sabres in the second half of a home-and-home set. Cheap Jets Jerseys .C. - The Panthers will be without starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei for Saturday nights NFC divisional playoff game against Seattle after undergoing surgery Wednesday to repair a broken bone in his foot. Joe Namath Jersey .com) - Colorado forward P. http://www.cheapnewyorkjetsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-mark-gastineau-jersey . It will be their 15th head-to-head meeting and fourth in the post-season (Sunday at 2pm et/11am pt on CTV) and for his part, Brady isnt downplaying just how big the game is for him. "Im excited - Its everything you could ask for as an athlete," the New England Patriots quarterback told WEEI Radio in Boston on Monday. Quinnen Williams Jersey . And fellow Leaf, Jake Gardiner, hiking in Whistler. Joe Klecko Jersey . He just didnt expect them to be this good. Darrun Hilliard scored 19 points to lead No. 6 Villanova to a dominating 77-59 victory over Georgetown on Saturday, preserving the Wildcats hopes of a No.Detroit, MI (SportsNetwork.com) - A pair of middle-of-the-pack power five conference teams meet up at Ford Field for the inaugural Quick Lane Bowl when the Big Tens Rutgers Scarlet Knights take on the ACCs North Carolina Tar Heels. Rutgers, in its first season in the Big Ten, went 7-5 overall and 3-5 in conference play. While the transition from the American Athletic Conference was a little rough for the Scarlet Knights, it didnt stop them from earning their ninth bowl appearance in 10 years, thanks in part to four non-conference wins. I like the idea of playing another power five opponent, said Rutgers head coach Kyle Flood. I like the idea of playing another power five school. I love the opportunity to play at a great stadium; and to play at Ford Field in a controlled environment, its a great stadium. I think all those things enhance the Bowl experience. Flood is the first coach in school history to lead Rutgers to a bowl game in each of his first three seasons, while the 2014 senior class is appearing in a bowl for the fourth consecutive season. The only other senior classes in school history to play in four straight bowls were members of the 2008 and 2009 senior classes. The Scarlet Knight won two of their last three games to end a three-game losing streak and earn a spot in a bowl. In their season finale, Gary Nova completed 28-of-42 passes for 347 yards and four touchdowns, as Rutgers came from behind to defeat Maryland, 41-38. Nova, Rutgers team MVP, completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,667 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season. He leads an offense that averages 25.6 points per game. Novas favorite target is Leonte Carroo, who has a team-best 53 catches for 1,043 yards with 10 touchdowns. Caroo, a First Team selection, led a group of four Rutgers players to earn all-conference honors. Defensive linemen Darius Hamilton and Kemoko Turay, and offensive lineman Kaleb Johnson were also named all-conference. Hamilton and Turay combined to have 12.5 sacks for a Rutgers defense that yielded 30.9 points per game this season and allowed 439.5 yards of offense. North Carolina, the third place finisheer in the ACCs Coastal Division, went 6-6 overall this season and 4-4 in conference play.dddddddddddd The offensive output of the Tar Heels should be tough for the Scarlet Knights to contain. North Carolina finished third in the ACC, averaging 34.3 point per game, and are led by second-team All-ACC quarterback Marquise Williams. The Charlotte, N.C., native leads the team in both passing (2,870) and rushing yards (737). This year, he set UNC single-season record for total offense (3,607), most touchdowns responsible for (32) and most touchdowns rushing by a quarterback (12). Williams, however, is coming off a sub-par performance in the Tar Heels regular-season finale against NC State. Williams and fellow QB Mitch Trubisky combined to hit on 17-of-35 passes for 177 yards with one touchdown, two interceptions and four sacks in a 35-7 setback. On the defensive side, the Tar Heels fired defensive coordinator Vic Koenning after the regular season and Dan Disch will now get a shot to lead a unit that allowed 38.9 points per game and yielded 495.7 yards per game. Hes very energetic. Hes a little out there, but its something we need, linebacker Jeff Schoettmer said of Disch. Hes more aggressive. Aggressiveness might play into Carolinas favor against the pro-style offense that Rutgers runs with Nova, a prototypical pocket-passer who doesnt have much mobility. The Scarlet Knights are 5-4 all-time in bowl games after last seasons 29-16 loss in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium. For Carolina, this will be Fedoras sixth bowl appearance as a head coach. Last year, he guided the Tar Heels to a 39-17 victory over Cincinnati in the Belk Bowl. The Quick Lane Bowl is Carolinas 31st all-time bowl game, but first in the state of Michigan. Carolina has won two of its last three bowl games. Rutgers and North Carolina have met six times in series history - the last time at North Carolina in 2011 (24-22 UNC victory). It marks the first time the two schools have met in a bowl and it will be Rutgers third bowl versus an ACC opponent (2012 Russell Athletic Bowl vs. Virginia Tech; 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl vs. NC State). 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