Post-Game Talk: Leafs 5, Pens 2 - Ref Off

[ColePens]

No team misses Ian Cole.

Brassard could suck all year and it would still be the right move because we moved two UFAs and picks for a top six center that we have under contract for next year.

Yeeeep. He's struggling now but will figure it out. And he will have all offseason, training camp, etc. to get even better for next year. That is the definition of a WIN.

 

[cheesedanish87]

I'm fine with the call and get the big picture that these types of bad calls mostly even out over the course of a season.

However, people keep trying to act like the call wouldn't have changed the game anyway, but that's a huge stretch...

Dumo's goal would have made it 3-1... no PP for the Leafs to make it 4-0.

Two mins left, go into the third down 3-1 more likely than not. Pens scored two in the third.

Very likely would have been a tie game.

I guess you can argue the Leafs would have maybe sat back less in the third with a two goal lead, but that's about the only slightly legit argument I can see.

I mean it would of gave the pens a better chance to come back, but its still highly unlikely the pens would of got any points out of the game IMO.

When Tor is leading after 2 they are 26-1-2
When Pens are trailing after 2 they are 5-20-2

 

[3074326]

No team misses Ian Cole.

Brassard could suck all year and it would still be the right move because we moved two UFAs and picks for a top six center that we have under contract for next year.

Just calling it like I see it. Guess you're happy with the defense?

Yeeeep. He's struggling now but will figure it out. And he will have all offseason, training camp, etc. to get even better for next year. That is the definition of a WIN.

What about this year?

I'm ok giving up Cole, but we needed a replacement. I am not happy whatsoever with the team's performance since the deadline.

 

[PensandCaps]

Just calling it like I see it. Guess you're happy with the defense?



What about this year?

Ian Cole is not jesus. He wouldn't save this defense. He's a 5th Dman...

 

[Dey so soff*]

Ian Cole is not jesus. He wouldn't save this defense. He's a 5th Dman...

And Hunwick and Ruh are 7/8 d men...

What’s the point?

 

[3074326]

Ian Cole is not jesus. He wouldn't save this defense. He's a 5th Dman...

I said we needed a replacement. We have given up 29 goals since Feb 24. 7 games.

 

[Terrapin]

Ian Cole is not jesus. He wouldn't save this defense. He's a 5th Dman...

And obviously Brassard isn't Jesus either

 

[Mr Jiggyfly]

I mean it would of gave the pens a better chance to come back, but its still highly unlikely the pens would of got any points out of the game IMO.

When Tor is leading after 2 they are 26-1-2
When Pens are trailing after 2 they are 5-20-2

Right, but I don't believe there would have been a butterfly effect on the third period if the goal was allowed.

Leafs let up two goals in the third and that would have made it 3-3 with like 1:30 left.

So unless you believe the Leafs would have scored another goal at the end of the second without the benefit of the PP, or somehow played differently with a two goal lead.... it most likely would have been tied up 3-3 very late in the game.

 

[ColePens]

Just calling it like I see it. Guess you're happy with the defense?



What about this year?

I'm ok giving up Cole, but we needed a replacement. I am not happy whatsoever with the team's performance since the deadline.

Yes everyone knew we needed a replacement for Cole. We were all disappointed. Cole was a UFA and was walking. We grabbed a 3C at a great price for 1.5 years. Cole was gone this year regardless.

So yes - we all wanted a defender as well. JR came out and said he made offers, some of which were better than the offer accepted, and it didn't take. Some things are out of our control.

 

[Terrapin]

It still amazes me how some fans are just totally clueless about the fact that our defensive personnel and structure are all based on that exact reality--that offense is our strength and the best defense is a mobile one that can get to puck and get them out to our forwards. Having a "stay at home" D is not what's going to help this team play "defense"

Prior to the deadline, we won 12 of 16 games, had all 4 lines that were going pretty well, and were playing good defense. Granted injuries have taken a toll. Replacing Cole (and Reaves) with Brassard and Hunwick, on paper should be a big win. And down the road maybe it will be. But so far it's not. Hunwick is putrid, and Brassard doesn't fit (yet). It amazes me how some fans think just assembling all offensive players is better than a well rounded team.

Edit: And don't forget, without Cole, Oleskiak's game has tanked. So we kinda lost two Dmen with that move.

 

[Pancakes]

Yeeeep. He's struggling now but will figure it out. And he will have all offseason, training camp, etc. to get even better for next year. That is the definition of a WIN.

Plus it has been what, seven games? And over that period the Pens as team haven't been good. Doubt a new player stands out in that scenario.

Not every guy is gonna be lights out the minute we get them. Kessel has been our biggest addition since Hossa and even he took an entire season to settle in. His 2015-16 season wasn't very good.

 

[Ryder71]

Ian Cole is not jesus. He wouldn't save this defense. He's a 5th Dman...

Chemistry and cohesiveness is a tricky thing however. I didn't like losing Cole. I thought it would prove to be a problem, and so far it seems as though it is. And if you can't keep Cole you could have found a decent bottom pairing guy to replace him. JR aimed too high, if he would have concentrated on just getting a guy of that ilk we might not be in this predicament now. Not only did we lose a solid player like Cole, but now our depth is compromised.

I was thrilled to get Brassard, still am I guess. But you had to at least address the loss of Cole and JR did not. He should have just taken the base hit instead of going for the grand slam on a guy like McDonagh. And I don't believe for one second we couldn't get someone to replace Cole. If you can land a Brassard getting a run of the mill bottom pairing defensemen shouldn't be out of the realm of possibility.

 

[BlindWillyMcHurt]

I think Cole was a bigger loss than most bottom pairing guys, too. And I think the point about he and Big Rig is a good one. But I mean... like Cole said -- sometimes things are out of your hands. Especially after you land arguably the biggest fish at the TDL and no other team wants to take your calls...

 

[Dey so soff*]

Yes, the offense is the strength and has always been the strength. Brass is supposed to be the key to unmatched strength down the middle and take the offense to even another level yet.

But it hasn’t happened so far. It very well might and it very well may take till next season for everything to gel and for him to get going but there is no denying that RIGHT NOW the loss of Cole and Brass’ shaky d play is a major factor in the struggles of the Pens since the deadline.

Cole was a number 5 d man but Hunwick and Ruh are 7/8 d men at best. The Pens are bleeding goals right now and Brass and his line aren’t countering that by producing enough. It’s thst simple for the present.

I’m not sure what is going on with the defensive play from the forwards this year. Malkin is the only one that seems to play a consistent 200 foot game every night while everyone else his game kind of floats around and waits for a break up ice...

 

[Terrapin]

Yes, the offense is the strength and has always been the strength. Brass is supposed to be the key to unmatched strength down the middle and take the offense to even another level yet.

But it hasn’t happened so far. It very well might and it very well may take till next season for everything to gel and for him to get going but there is no denying that RIGHT NOW the loss of Cole and Brass’ shaky d play is a major factor in the struggles of the Pens since the deadline.

Cole was a number 5 d man but Hunwick and Ruh are 7/8 d men at best. The Pens are bleeding goals right now and Brass and his line aren’t countering that by producing enough. It’s thst simple for the present.

I’m not sure what is going on with the defensive play from the forwards this year. Malkin is the only one that seems to play a consistent 200 foot game every night while everyone else his game kind of floats around and waits for a break up ice...

Last year we had Bonino, Cullen, and Kunitz. Those were 3 forwards who were pretty good defensively. Who do we have now that can or will do it? That's why I lol at people that want all the undersized guys and rookies like Sprong, ZAR, Simon, etc in the lineup on wing. It just doesn't usually work. Brassard isn't a defensive player either, and our defensive 'specialists' like Kuhn and Rowney blow

 

[BHD]

I think we're cool to move on to the next game.

 

[ColePens]

Last year we had Bonino, Cullen, and Kunitz. Those were 3 forwards who were pretty good defensively. Who do we have now that can or will do it? That's why I lol at people that want all the undersized guys and rookies like Sprong, ZAR, Simon, etc in the lineup on wing. It just doesn't usually work. Brassard isn't a defensive player either, and our defensive 'specialists' like Kuhn and Rowney blow

Hags, Sheahan, Brassard.

I mean come on, man. How many years are you going to try and find the negativity in everything only to turn up wrong. Yet you still go for it. Wasn't it your MO to want the pens to be physical? Weren't we too small to win? I mean shit... let's see what happens. How is this not the definition of house money. Back to freaking back. 3 cups in this era. Let it breathe a bit.