GDT: Leafs@Senators 7PM CBC

[Budsfan]

 

[Suntouchable13]

I don't know what will happen if we lose but I'm pretty sure some of these players are seeing the ugly side of the Toronto market for the first time.

They had it 'easy' until now, being praised almost at every turn. But now that expectations are there, not sure they expected this kind of push back.

Hoping for a win but considering we're something like 1-9-1 against Ottawa in recent memory, doesn't seem likely we'll be able to pull it off.

It's embarrassing if they lose. To have that kind of record against Ottawa is embarrassing. It's not like Ottawa has been a juggernaut or anything.

 

[Savvy]

coaching master stroke to fuel some offense:

• Mostly status-quo
• flip Brown with Marner or Nylander

Brilliant!

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, but expecting different results”

I don't think he really expects very different results. He loves the way we've been playing and wants us to keep it up

 

[Mess]

December schedule was used as the excuse for the team struggles and lack of wins, but now Leafs are suppose to be in the easier part of their schedule and the results are getting worse as the losses mount and they're no longer being able to hind behind strength of schedule.

I believe the honeymoon is over as opposition teams have figured out the Leafs and how to neuter their offense.. Defensive schemes that clog up neutral ice to break up their speed attack/rush advantage, and force them into dump and chase tactics, which based on player personnel they have very few players equipped to successfully regain possession and win puck battles.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[Apollo Leaf]

After Freddy’s comments, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Leafs come out flying in this one and win big. We’re long overdue.

 

[Savvy]

I don't think he really expects very different results. He loves the way we've been playing and wants us to keep it up

It’s fine that Babcock tries to downplay the terrible play of the team given the wildfire of craziness that can and will come in this market. I wouldn’t mistake that with being happy with the teams play. There is a reason the players are starting to crack in media and it’s not because everything is sunshine and rainbows

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

It’s fine that Babcock tries to downplay the terrible play of the team given the wildfire of craziness that can and will come in this market. I wouldn’t mistake that with being happy with the teams play. There is a reason the players are starting to crack in media and it’s not because everything is sunshine and rainbows

if he was unhappy with the team's play he would be making changes and he said as much. Either we can assume he's lying and purposely not trying to optimize his lineup to throw off the media, or he's really happy with the way things are going

 

[Critical13]

The biggest thing that irks me right now is that the accountability concept from last season is out the door.

Last year, the young guys came up, they slowly moved up the lineup, and no vet was safe. Right now, Marleau, Kadri, Komarov, Martin, Polak, Gardiner, Marner and Nylander all deserve this treatment - why not throw Kap and Johnsson in, and maybe give Rosen another crack. Essentially, if you weren't exhausted at the end of every shift last year, it seemed like you were being replaced with someone who was ready to go out and hound the puck like it the last Smartie in the box and your name is Rosie O'Donnell.

I want to see mroe speed, more tenacity, more vigor. This flaccid penis forecheck isn't cutting it, we need to be moving our feet. The only guys who can float are the guys with supreme talent like Matthews who can float and still be exactly where he needs to be, when he needs to be there. Bozak and JvR floating through the neutral zone on a dump in isn't cutting it. Polak slapshotting the puck down the boards everytime he's under a tiny bit of duress isn't cutting it.

Hounds those enemy f***ers until they are sucking back fumes, like they did in 16/17.

 

[Kamiccolo]

Big game. Ottawa has our number. Team has looked like crap, no chemistry, look like no one has any idea what to do. Sliding down the standings, finally the team has had enough.

This is where we see if the team is a future cup team or another team like the Sharks or Caps that will make the playoffs but never win. Time to see how accountable they can be. Right now this is a good sign.

This doesn't mean they have to win the game, it means they need to show more than they have the last month and a half.

 

[Erdinger]

Hopefully Marleau decides to show up for this one. I barely even know he is playing of late

 

[ULF_55]

Hope to see that defense tonight.

Keep Rielly out his long term health is more important than 2 points.

Perhaps the forwards will make it hard on the opposition for a change.

Hopefully both Andersen and Anderson are on their games and the Leafs still win.

I want a no excuse win!

 

[Savvy]

if he was unhappy with the team's play he would be making changes and he said as much. Either we can assume he's lying and purposely not trying to optimize his lineup to throw off the media, or he's really happy with the way things are going

Or he simply doesn’t see options in changes. He views the team as deficient and the lack of movement in lineup is the reason. Babcock has a long standing history of this stuff so not sure why anyone would be surprised by that. He’s very specific of how a line should work and what roles are on those lines. Talk about moving guys isn’t exactly easy because hard work guys will always take precedent over skill and in some cases that makes sense, not always though. In Babcock’s world though a guy who works hard magically makes the skill guys work harder so it always take precedent.

You’re never going to see Marner take Komarov’s spot for various reasons despite the suggestions here. One being he’s defensively inefficient and it takes away from you’re shut down line. Some would say what about Brown there then? This goes back to hard work guys taking precedent over skill. Browns young in the league and despite being a “hard work” guy Komarov is a vet and locker room leader so he’s never going to put into a position to be upset. Marleau would never move for the same reasons so you’re really left with mix mashing the Bozak and Matthews lines for any substantial difference. Then you take into account by Babcock’s own admission Hyman isn’t coming off Matthews wing and you’re left with next to no lineup options. This is simply a coach who has left himself very limited or a lineup that is poorly put together. Given Babcock’s history with limited lineup choices I know what I think at the moment. He’s a good coach but he’s got a pretty big flaw that’s been known for years and a lot of Detroit fans would argue is the reason they didn’t have more cups in his time

 

[Liferleafer]

Ok...so coach sends the kids off to teach them a lesson? How about coach lets kids play hockey like they are capable of, these kids aren't built for a stupid dump and chase style...

 

[Budsfan]

 

[Budsfan]

 

[SprDaVE]

I want to see Dermott get serious minutes tonight. Enough with these 10-12 minutes.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[Mess]

Ok...so coach sends the kids off to teach them a lesson? How about coach lets kids play hockey like they are capable of, these kids aren't built for a stupid dump and chase style...

Kids not built for dump and chase is a big problem, that they will need to figure out eventually.

Fans blame Babcock for this, but the fans should understand that its the opposition coach and his defensive system and structure that is dictating this.

Babcock is not Proactively choosing to play dump and chase, he is Reactively deploying it as counter measure against the defense of the opposition.

Teams are clogging up center ice, putting up a wall of defenders defensively between the bluelines, and its breaking and preventing Leafs speed rush and forcing them to dump it in and go get it again.

 

[Erdinger]

Kids not built for dump and chase is a big problem, that they will need to figure out eventually.

Fans blame Babcock for this, but the fans should understand that its the opposition coach and his defensive system and structure that is dictating this.

Babcock is not Proactively choosing to play dump and chase, he is Reactively deploying it as counter measure against the defense of the opposition.

Teams are clogging up center ice, putting up a wall of defenders defensively between the bluelines, and its breaking and preventing Leafs speed rush and forcing them to dump it in and go get it again.

So the opposing coach always dictates the way the Leafs play? Leafs hardly need a genius behind the bench if all they require is a coach to react as opposed to dictate

 

[PromisedLand]

Ron Hainsey IMO has been a "Steal" of a contract for the role and mins played on the team while Marleau has been a dud; so together they have been just okay......

need more of home run contracts to have any kind of net positive impact on the team.

 

[Stephen]

Not sure we can handle the Autoloss Senators in our current state of disarray.

 

[Budsfan]

 

[Stephen]

Last year, the young guys came up, they slowly moved up the lineup, and no vet was safe. Right now, Marleau, Kadri, Komarov, Martin, Polak, Gardiner, Marner and Nylander all deserve this treatment - why not throw Kap and Johnsson in, and maybe give Rosen another crack. Essentially, if you weren't exhausted at the end of every shift last year, it seemed like you were being replaced with someone who was ready to go out and hound the puck like it the last Smartie in the box and your name is Rosie O'Donnell.

This is a really good point. Over the past few years we've seen the coaching staff mercilessly demote guys like Greening, Laich, Michalek, Fehr, etc. but Moore's the only guy to have lost a spot lately. Why doesn't Komarov get scratched? What about Gardiner for a game? Put Marner in the press box and Kapanen in for one. Send Polak to Ricoh for good.