Pre-Game Talk: Leafs vs Jets

[Raym11]

Laine will probably score a hat trick but in that scenario i expect Matthews with at least 2 goals, as is tradition. Interested to see how Marner will start the official season

 

[Drytoast]

Laine will probably score a hat trick but in that scenario i expect Matthews with at least 2 goals, as is tradition. Interested to see how Marner will start the official season

Laine is actually going to suffer from sophomore slump as I suspect he's going to be shadowed to counter the one timer.

As such he's going to need to find another way to score this year.

That's my prediction.

 

[saltming]

If leafs lose they come that much closer to missing the playoffs. Need to win this to stay in the race

This is a must win game!

 

[Coachcorner]

We have to play real physical here at the beginning. Byfuglien etc will bring it tough early on. Our physical players has to be ready tonight.

 

[BTP]

I just want a fun entertaining game. That pre-season shit was f***ing awful.

Oh and win of course.

 

[Paradoc]

Can’t wait to smoke the Jets.

 

[dimi78]

We have to play real physical here at the beginning. Byfuglien etc will bring it tough early on. Our physical players has to be ready tonight.

Playing physical against Winnipeg who's a bigger stronger team why? The Leafs strength is it's speed. They need to play fast & poised both on offense and on defense quick on close outs with active sticks. Engaging physically other than Komorov on Laine would mean the Leafs would be playing without the puck more than playing with it. In turn that would mean Anderson would have to be the 1st star for the Leafs to get the win.

 

[Tall Morty]

not one proclaiming Laine the better player (which he is imo)

I would... LOVE to hear your supporting arguments on this. Right here. On the Maple Leafs forum.

 

[Apotheosis]

Leafs are top 3 fastest teams in the NHL. With noticeably improved play by Rielly and Gardiner and the big 3, I expect a big game overall. The Jets don't scare me.

 

[Seath The Scaleless]

The Jets will likely try to expose the Bozak line.

Just don't get hemmed in your own zone every shift...... please.

 

[Apotheosis]

The Jets will likely try to expose the Bozak line.

Just don't get hemmed in your own zone every shift...... please.

If they do so, it opens up the Matthews line to feasting on weaker match-ups. That's the beauty of offensive depth.

 

[Canada4Gold]

If they do so, it opens up the Matthews line to feasting on weaker match-ups. That's the beauty of offensive depth.

There's a difference between the toughest offensive and defensive matchups though. Not sure what lines the Jets are tossing out there but assuming their best offensive and defensive lines are different lines they'd try to put their best offensive line out there against the Bozak line while keeping their best defensive line for the Matthews line. We'll have Babcock trying to get Kadri out there against their best offensive line instead. I don't think Babs will care enough to avoid the best defensive matchups, Matthews and Nylander can score one anyone and if they get the tough defensive matchup then someone else is getting an easier one.

Looks like the Jets have Ehlers/Little/Laine and Perreault/Schiefele/Wheeler, I would say those are pretty equivalent offensively, but I have to imagine the Schiefele line is better defensively. As long as we can keep the Bozak line away from both I don't think any of the other matchups will matter too much. Kadri shuts down 1 of them(hopefully), Matthews scores on the other.

 

[Polaris1010]

Looks like the Jets have Ehlers/Little/Laine and Perreault/Schiefele/Wheeler, I would say those are pretty equivalent offensively, but I have to imagine the Schiefele line is better defensively. As long as we can keep the Bozak line away from both I don't think any of the other matchups will matter too much. Kadri shuts down 1 of them(hopefully), Matthews scores on the other.

That's why it is still pretty odd to see Bozak still around centering a line on this Toronto team.

As you said, outside of the 4th line on an energy shift, Babcock can match any line the Leafs have against anyone else, except the Bozak line where he must seek the favourable match up.

That sort of says that Babcock must make the strategy of line matching revolve around Bozak to get an advantage, because he don't trust him.

Even all us fans, all the other teams, can see how everyone would want to play the Leafs. Babcock has noticed too for sure. Why do they not want make a change?

 

[Mikeyg]

Guys... Laine is a really selective shooter and he can maintain 30% shooting percentages... didn't you know?

That's the best finnipeg line i've ever read in my time on ole HFB. IDC what anyone says, winnipeg has the most obnoxious fan base in the league, I dare them to bring back the ole "Laine's better" chant tonight. I hate the jets! Lets smoke em.

 

[Kaako Kappo]

Laine is actually going to suffer from sophomore slump as I suspect he's going to be shadowed to counter the one timer.

As such he's going to need to find another way to score this year.

That's my prediction.

Ah yes, the one timer with which he scored an entirety of 4 goals last year. Or was it 5?

 

[Kuhta]

Guys... Laine is a really selective shooter and he can maintain 30% shooting percentages... didn't you know?

That's the best finnipeg line i've ever read in my time on ole HFB. IDC what anyone says, winnipeg has the most obnoxious fan base in the league, I dare them to bring back the ole "Laine's better" chant tonight. I hate the jets! Lets smoke em.

Patrik Laine has played Toronto Maple Leafs twice and scored 5 (five) goals.

Auston matthews has played Winnipeg Jets twice and has not scored a single goal in these games.

Laine has smoked Matthews head-head in WJC, WC and NHL seems to go down the same path.

Laine has him in the bag mentally, big time. No question. Matthews zero (0) goals.

 

[Mitchy]

Patrik Laine has played Toronto Maple Leafs twice and scored 5 (five) goals.

Auston matthews has played Winnipeg Jets twice and has not scored a single goal in these games.

Laine has smoked Matthews head-head in WJC, WC and NHL seems to go down the same path.

Laine has him in the bag mentally, big time. No question. Matthews zero (0) goals.

Damn, how big is your inferiority complex that you had to come to the Leafs board to pump Laine?

 

[stickty111]

Damn, how big is your inferiority complex that you had to come to the Leafs board to pump Laine?

Laine sure is better at scoring in his own net then Matthews.

 

[Darth Menace]

God you're obnoxious for getting a % that is a C in school.

 

[Darth Menace]

Laine sure is better at scoring in his own net then Matthews.

I am a nothing hockey player, but I am still confused about this. Was there ever an explanation as to his reasoning?

 

[CantLoseWithMatthews]

Patrik Laine has played Toronto Maple Leafs twice and scored 5 (five) goals.

Auston matthews has played Winnipeg Jets twice and has not scored a single goal in these games.

Laine has smoked Matthews head-head in WJC, WC and NHL seems to go down the same path.

Laine has him in the bag mentally, big time. No question. Matthews zero (0) goals.

164-3

 

[Rogie]

It's a road game so it will be tough to get matchups consistently.

Also Scheifele/Wheeler is probably more dangerous than Laine's line tbh.

Babs main job should be keeping the Bozak line away from both of them. Let Auston and Kadri handle the top two lines, doesn't really matter which one specifically. Their third and fourth lines are no threat, Bozak's line won't get exposed defensively.

Well said, and we'll see if he tries to get some forward/Dpairings working together as well!

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

Can’t wait to smoke the Jets.

Jets will win easily this match. 6-1, Laine with a hat trick.

 

[Apotheosis]

There's a difference between the toughest offensive and defensive matchups though. Not sure what lines the Jets are tossing out there but assuming their best offensive and defensive lines are different lines they'd try to put their best offensive line out there against the Bozak line while keeping their best defensive line for the Matthews line. We'll have Babcock trying to get Kadri out there against their best offensive line instead. I don't think Babs will care enough to avoid the best defensive matchups, Matthews and Nylander can score one anyone and if they get the tough defensive matchup then someone else is getting an easier one.

Looks like the Jets have Ehlers/Little/Laine and Perreault/Schiefele/Wheeler, I would say those are pretty equivalent offensively, but I have to imagine the Schiefele line is better defensively. As long as we can keep the Bozak line away from both I don't think any of the other matchups will matter too much. Kadri shuts down 1 of them(hopefully), Matthews scores on the other.

The Laine line isn't that good defensively IMO. It's faster, so I expect Kadri's line to match-up against that line and Moore against the Schiefele line. My point wasn't that they wouldn't try it either. My point was that we're that much deeper that they're forced to match (with the Schief line IMO being the best defensively) their best centre line to ours which lets Marner's line for instance, run against weaker match-ups.

 

[KIWILEAFFAN]

Patrik Laine has played Toronto Maple Leafs twice and scored 5 (five) goals.

Auston matthews has played Winnipeg Jets twice and has not scored a single goal in these games.

Laine has smoked Matthews head-head in WJC, WC and NHL seems to go down the same path.

Laine has him in the bag mentally, big time. No question. Matthews zero (0) goals.

I wonder if Matthew's carries the Calder Trophy around in this mental bag of his?