GDT: ECQF Game 4: Boston Bruins vs Toronto Leafs:, | 8pm, | SN

[Fan from AK]

Thank you Reaves

 

[TheNumber4]

They just need to flow and move… that’s all the Oilers do… they force the PK to make decisions and capitalize on the incorrect ones.

Movement and flow is the Oilers bread and butter. It’s hard to defend cause you never know where any player on the ice will be.

 

[Just Rude]

To be fair, that was about as perfect a road period as you can play in the playoffs. The Bruins took the crowd right out of the game.

 

[WetcoastOrca]

Terrible start for the Leafs. But only down a goal. Need a goal to get the crowd back into it.

 

[RussianRacket]

To be fair, that was about as perfect a road period as you can play in the playoffs. The Bruins took the crowd right out of the game.

Were they ever even in it before puck drop?

 

[TheNumber4]

Tavares has been absolutely invisible this series, Has he been like this all year?

As someone who doesn't watch leafs alot, I'm shocked how invisible he is.. Looks like a 4th liner

Mid season I thought he should retire. But I guess he’s recovered since then.

 

[The Management]

Toronto fans I’m curious. Is there consensus within the fanbase on what holds this roster back? I really like the construction but it feels like they play way below their capabilities. Is it a heart thing? Is it a coaching thing?

I would say there is no consensus, no. Some people want the coach fired, some people focus on the star players earning the big money, some think our depth or our blueline or our goaltending is the issue.

If there's a thread you can pull, I think it's the current cap construction of the team, with four highly priced forwards who simply do not deliver or demonstrate any real leadership when the postseason rolls around. We're sick of watching the same thing, with the same results.

If they're eliminated in the first round again this year, I imagine there's going to need to be change for change's own sake, as the existing formula just does not appear to be one for success. The no movement clauses in some of these golden plated contracts will make that challenging, however. That leaves a coaching change as the most likely way to shake things up, but many think that should've came last off-season.

 

[Boss Man Hughes]

Hip checks are legal

Except the officials don't know what a hip check is and usually call a penalty.

 

[PajamaBoy]

He’s not exactly an easy guy to hit. Pretty elusive.

And he’s not going to put himself in a position where he’s in the box for fighting.

Sometimes you gotta take a scheduled penalty. But I get it. The only thing more comical than the 5'8 rat is the illustrious reputation he's garnered.

 

[canuckslover10]

Why would they do that? He has 1 season he will play it out and all will be good

They have a window so they would want to be as competitive as possible for the next 5-6 years, also I don't think Tavares has negative value especially if he goes to a team that would flip him at half retention during TDL, but all of this depends if Tavares waives his NMC.

 

[Just Rude]

Were they ever even in it before puck drop?

Seemed pretty loud at the start.

 

[Oilslick941611]

Matthew’s is playing a good game, he just needs some help from teammates

Problem with Matthews is if he isn't scoring it doesn't matter if he's having a good game. The game he plays and what the team needs from him is goals, no goals = not a good game.

 

[TheNumber4]

I would say there is no consensus, no. Some people want the coach fired, some people focus on the star players earning the big money, some think our depth or our blueline or our goaltending is the issue.

If there's a thread you can pull, I think it's the current cap construction of the team, with four highly priced forwards who simply do not deliver or demonstrate any real leadership when the postseason rolls around. We're sick of watching the same thing, with the same results.

If they're eliminated in the first round again this year, I imagine there's going to need to be change for change's own sake, as the existing formula just does not appear to be one for success. The no movement clauses in some of these golden plated contracts will make that challenging, however. That leaves a coaching change as the most likely way to shake things up, but many think that should've came last off-season.

You think something drastic will happen? It is Trelivings first season.

 

[RussianRacket]

Problem with Matthews is if he isn't scoring it doesn't matter if he's having a good game. The game he plays and what the team needs from him is goals, no goals = not a good game.

Preach it. You pay this guy for goals not for just having a good game off the scoresheet.

 

[HockeyVirus]

They have a window so they would want to be as competitive as possible for the next 5-6 years, also I don't think Tavares has negative value especially if he goes to a team that would flip him at half retention during TDL, but all of this depends if Tavares waives his NMC.

Matthews and Nylander have years of prime left. Leafs have time to retool and take another shot with a different core. Next few seasons will be a retool on the fly

 

[TheNumber4]

Problem with Matthews is if he isn't scoring it doesn't matter if he's having a good game. The game he plays and what the team needs from him is goals, no goals = not a good game.

Yeh he just doesn’t do much unless he’s scoring.

 

[Pierre from Orleans]

I am absolutely shocked that Ryan Reaves has been useless for the Leafs

 

[snipes]

Last time I heard that in Toronto was maybe 03-04

I remember the early 2000s when the Leafs building would be just rocking during the playoffs.

That Darcy Tucker era teams was fantastic come playoffs time. This just pales in comparison. Players can feed off the energy of a building.

 

[MoreMogilny]

Mid season I thought he should retire. But I guess he’s recovered since then.

If he wasn’t relied on so heavily for face offs his game would be well suited to the wing.

He’s too slow nowadays and his toolbox is basically shooting the puck high and wide off the rush.

 

[PajamaBoy]

Because you give him a love tap and he looks as if he just took a .50 cal shot close range

Lol. So never change the way you play just keep doing same thing and hope mini me doesn't win.

 

[JKG33]

Talking about targeting on the intermission... what a nothing bit. If you're not healthy don't play. Otherwise, suck it up it's the playoffs. Opponents would be stupid not to hit an injured player harder

 

[Givememoneyback]

I would say there is no consensus, no. Some people want the coach fired, some people focus on the star players earning the big money, some think our depth or our blueline or our goaltending is the issue.

If there's a thread you can pull, I think it's the current cap construction of the team, with four highly priced forwards who simply do not deliver or demonstrate any real leadership when the postseason rolls around. We're sick of watching the same thing, with the same results.

If they're eliminated in the first round again this year, I imagine there's going to need to be change for change's own sake, as the existing formula just does not appear to be one for success. The no movement clauses in some of these golden plated contracts will make that challenging, however. That leaves a coaching change as the most likely way to shake things up, but many think that should've came last off-season.

I think all of those connect. Shanny, GM, Coach, personnel. I'd get rid of Shanny first, then let the GM make decisions.

 

[TheNumber4]

If he wasn’t relied on so heavily for face offs his game would be well suited to the wing.

He’s too slow nowadays and his toolbox is basically shooting the puck high and wide off the rush.

Yeh I could see that. I saw a game where a back checker caught up to him and stole the puck. And that backcheck we was far back. His boots are getting too slow.

 

[DegeN9]

Movement and flow is the Oilers bread and butter. It’s hard to defend cause you never know where any player on the ice will be.

I think the leafs have the skill to do the same thing. Marner is a great puck distributor and Matthews is the best goalscorer in the league. They dump and chase on the PP… which is crazy. Why give the other team the chance to win a battle and get the clear??

 

[WetcoastOrca]

If I ran the Leafs power play I’d focus on getting the puck to the guy who just scored 69 goals. I mean I know it’s not that simple but he’s your number one weapon. Use him more.