Post-Game Talk: Leafs Make A Meaningless Game Out of Florida

[GQS]

I expect nothing from this team in the playoffs and somehow I'll likely still be more disappointed than expected when they probably get bounced early again.

 

[LaPlante94]

Well, maybe since tomorrow really is a nothing game for both teams they'll play lose defence and Matthews can get it over with.

 

[Stephen]

Leave Matthews at 69. I'm convinced that the pursuit of 70 has cost us a couple of games with everyone deferring to Matthews instead of possibly taking the better shot.

Well, Matthews is also trying to tee up Ovechkin styles to get 'er done which takes him out of the rhythm of playing that dominant center game he had been developing with Domi and Bertuzzi. And all we're left with is Marner ice dancing with all lanes cut off. It's an awful look.

 

[thewave]

Leave Matthews at 69. I'm convinced that the pursuit of 70 has cost us a couple of games with everyone deferring to Matthews instead of possibly taking the better shot.

We are the best team in the division if Keefe learns to coach special teams.

Yes we can beat Boston. Better choice than FL.

 

[Aashir Mallik]

I wish we could just skip tmrw's game. We could score 10 goals and shut them out and it would do nothing. If we lose in similar fashion, it will create more doubt. No winning scenario here.

Saturday needs to come real soon

 

[meefer]

Bring up the Marlies and rest the team for Boston. Have a good night all.

 

[ToneDog]

I'm actually on board if Keefe told Matthews this is your chance tonight to score #70 and not play him tomorrow

Maybe taking a hard line with him not getting that personal mark might make him more hungry in the playoffs.

I dunno.

No way Matty sits tomorrow IMO.

 

[egd27]

I'm looking at like this.......

If they're going to win at least a round, I'd love it to be Boston.

If they're going to lose in the first round to Boston again, it may as well be the end of the Shanaplan.

 

[Stephen]

Well, maybe since tomorrow really is a nothing game for both teams they'll play lose defence and Matthews can get it over with.

If I know one thing, Tampa will hype themselves up to spoil it for Matthews and the Leafs will convince themselves it's a meaningless game. That's. How. It. Works.

 

[Al14]

Pathetic effort after the 1st period. Our Leafs look like they're really ready for cottage and golf season. Playing solid hockey not on their minds whatsoever.

They looked like a lottery team in the 2nd and 3rd periods.

Oh, and I'm sick of Nylander avoiding contact instead of making a play and taking the hit.

Once again, it's so obvious, it's sickening !!! The same penalties called against our Leafs, are completely ignored against Florida.

Well Bettman, once again you got your Florida vs Florida playoff match up !!!

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Honestly, after the 5th goal, the big boys shouldn't have seen the ice.

No more stat chasing.

I would have benched them all for the entire third period. Too much focus on personal stats, not enough focus and heart on winning the game.

 

[Knies iT]

One of the worst games i've seen Rielly play. Definitely his worst game of the season.

Rielly is the most consistent player i've ever seen coming back from injury. Consistent in the sense that you can bet the farm he will be abysmal for 10+ games.

 

[pcruz]

Hell

I would play 75 - 34 -16 all night tomorrow at even strength.


And sit 44.

He looks like he needs a solid 5 days' rest.

 

[wingman75]

Really good first, but I think Florida was still deciding if they were even going to play in this one. Once they realized the Leafs were, they took care of business.

Leafs looked meek, weak and quite honestly pathetic in that second period from the goal on out. It's the same story, any team that has any sort of physical defensive style, this team cannot penetrate.

PK was decent, so that seems to be on the right track. PP was it's normal self. Rielly has 4 days to get himself ready to go, because if that is the version we get we are toast. Nylander wasn't good either...

That officiating duo should be outright fired. They were terrible both ways, just complete nonsense from them.

I think FLA is way better than BOS, so if we are getting out of the first round, this is the preferred path. If we do happen to meet FLA in round two, maybe we will have built up some confidence by defeating a generational foe.

That being said, I have little to no confidence this team wins more than two games.

 

[authentic]

No way Matty sits tomorrow IMO.

Just limit his minutes but give him all the powerplay time. He deserves it.

 

[57 Years No Cup]

Bunch of fairies with zero pride. Nylander was abysmal tonight. This maybe the worst I have ever seen Morgan Reilly play. Knies looked like an ECHLer out there. Woll looks to have taken a huge step back since his injury.

Nylander had the night off.

 

[pcruz]

Just limit his minutes but give him all the powerplay time. He deserves it.

All 2 minutes and 16 seconds of it?

 

[TheShape]

great 1st. then completely stopped playing. maybe they want boston

Nah. Florida levelled up and our same cast of characters disappeared.

 

[egd27]

Will Toronto play shorthanded?

They don't have enough bodies who are healthy.

That keeps getting overlooked. I can't see them going 11-7 and sit Matthews.

 

[ashs]

We can never do what we are suppose too

 

[BraveCanadian]

32 shots against in a period “leaky goaltending” lol

Probably should have had the one but cmon

 

[BertCorbeau]

This game reassured me that Marner and Matthews need to be split up for the playoffs .. they haven't gotten it done in years' past and this year they have been off.

Which is fine. Kessel couldn't quite gel with Malkin and Crosby, and that formed a great 3rd line on a cup run.

 

[ToneDog]

Mitch sporting his playoff beard.

 

[Al14]

We are the best team in the division if Keefe learns to coach special teams.

Yes we can beat Boston. Better choice than FL.

Yep, we can beat Boston. Our regular season record against them proves that. Oh wait !!!

 

[hfman]

Florida playing extra hard to make sure goal #70 doesn't happen in their barn.

Tampa will do the exact same thing tomorrow.


Not gonna be easy...