Every time Buffalo has beaten the Leafs this year they’ve played them the same way - fast forecheck + tight up the middle, they block shots, box out the middle and hassle the point.
It’s very boring, ugly hockey and Buffalo plays it. No team can do that for seven games but the Leafs can’t adapt to that why?
Matthews could have had a few but his decision making was terrible tonight - passing off to Bunting in the first few minutes of the third only down one.
Speaking of non factors - Bunting hasn’t done anything to move the needle in a few weeks now.
Mitch had his worst game in a loooooooooong time. JT has his worst game in about two weeks. Willy was fine.
Holl has all the tools to be a dream - a 6+ 200+ right shot with some offensive talent, but not as much as he thinks and he does NOT seem to like playing in the corners or clearing the net.
Lyubushkin is better than Holl, but not by nearly enough.
Kampf had his worst game in a while as well, it was okay when he was on that little ‘heater’ he was on, but he got pulled apart on the Buffalo PP.
Brodie has been on the wrong end of a lot of goals lately, time to start lot managing players.
There was no need to play matchmaker with the D - keep Liljegren and Gio together, both looked fine separately.
Kallgren made some okay saves but he spends a ton of time not knowing where the puck is, and that third goal he was beaten clean can’t happen. He’s earned himself the inside track for the backup job next year, but there’s a lot to work on.
I wouldn’t mind Blackwell getting a small bump, he’s speedy and tenacious.
Nice to give Abruzesse some games but he’s nowhere near ready, falls down at least once a shift. Look at a guy like Robertson; that’s what a near ready prospect looks like.
I can sort of Understand their pov- even I’m having a hard time keeping invested with the playoffs clinched since December, but that was unacceptable.
