The Toronto Maple Leafs, Phil Kessel, Mike Komisarek and Dion Phaneuf all have one thing in common: they are struggling (if you Google struggling, the lead Google news article is actually about the struggling Leafs).
For Phaneuf, it's the pressure of a season with a less than stellar offensive output and coming back to a team that's been mired in a large slump. A slump that ironically enough, came when Phaneuf and Colby Armstrong went down with injuries.
For Phil Kessel, his predictability on the ice has been a large contributor to his recent slump. Scoring just three times in his past 20 games, Kessel is having a hard go.
However, this is certainly nothing new for Kessel who has been known to be a streaky scorer.
How familiar is the following: Kessel streaks in with two Leafs with him, he does a dangle to beat the defenceman inside, he half beats him, then passes at the last second because there is no shot and it's turned over.
Ironically enough, one way to help Kessel score is for him to pass more. If the goalie has to worry about him passing, he may edge towards the recipient.
Opposed to right now, where goa ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NHL
Article written by Cale Loney
Toronto Maple Leafs: Dion Phaneuf, Mike Komisarek and Phil Kessel’s Struggles
December 11th, 2010 by Cale Loney Leave a reply »
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