Post-Game Talk: Leafs Win in Regulation; 2nd in Atlantic. Rask shedding tears

[ToneDog]

Marner is now leading the team in points. With 16 goals, he is in a position to beat his 19 from last year. Not bad considering his slow start. More confident now that he can become the player we expected him to become at the start of the season. Way to go Mitch and nice timing.

 

[Critical13]

Rip Carlo

 

[ULF_55]

I think the Bruins were fortunate to be in the game, they scored 3 goals on obvious missed assignments, 2 by Kadri line 1 by Bozak line.

The 3rd. goal with van Riemsdyk providing an escort to the net, occurred after the Leafs had dominated them in the Bruins zone. Then soft plays by Rielly and van Riemsdyk gave it away.

 

[pucky]

Not sure what you guys think but, imho (which is not appreciated here but I am saying it anyway, haha), Moore and Komorov should pack their suitcases. Kapanen looks like he's being held back and Moore? I didn't see him do anything all game and that was a game in which multiple players were noticeable and I mean it in a positive way. They still have major flaws, defensively, but out of the forwards, those two seem the most expendable.

However, I think the Kadri line struggled against the Bergeron line but the Leafs showed some resiliency they haven't showed when being outplayed early and actually took the game over. It was a good game for them, overall, I think.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Marner is now leading the team in points. With 16 goals, he is in a position to beat his 19 from last year. Not bad considering his slow start. More confident now that he can become the player we expected him to become at the start of the season. Way to go Mitch and nice timing.

Mitch has been a slow starter most of his career. I was so surprsed to see so many around these parts turn on him saying we should trade him for a defender....

 

[Mess]

"Never say never to a Mike Babcock coached team"

Got give Babs props for his ability to guide this team.. Very shrewd to put Marner with Nylander to help drive that line in Matthews absence.

Pulling all the right strings right now as Leafs playing their best hockey in a decade in these last 12 games or so.

 

[weems]

"Never say never to a Mike Babcock coached team"

Got give Babs props for his ability to guide this team.. Very shrewd to put Marner with Nylander to help drive that line in Matthews absence.

Pulling all the right strings right now as Leafs playing their best hockey in a decade in these last 12 games or so.

You still want to trade BOTH Marner and Nylander for Doughty?

 

[Macallan18]

With the win, Leafs strong armed Boston into making a bad trade. Love it.

lol as much as I wish this was true, I suspect this was already in the works.
Their bigger problem is Bergeron and his injury.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

Agreed. IMO TBay is the best team and the one to be feared. Boston got incredibly hot and they're already cooling down a bit. Don't get me wrong, they're a good team and the top team's have a lot of parity. I'm in no way saying they aren't dangerous in the playoffs, but IMO Toronto is just as dangerous as Boston.

I fear Vegas.... but also the only chance we face them is in the finals so not too big of a deal

 

[Ziggdiezan]

lol as much as I wish this was true, I suspect this was already in the works.
Their bigger problem is Bergeron and his injury.

Ya I saw one of the insiders (Bob I think) saying during the 1st intermission that Boston was leading the pack for Nash

 

[Macallan18]

"Never say never to a Mike Babcock coached team"

Got give Babs props for his ability to guide this team.. Very shrewd to put Marner with Nylander to help drive that line in Matthews absence.

Pulling all the right strings right now as Leafs playing their best hockey in a decade in these last 12 games or so.

Apart from not playing Polak, other amendment I would do is put Kappy on with Kadri instead of Komarov on that line. His speed and finish and finess would give that line some of the offensive pop it had with Mitch, and I am not convinced he is a downgrade on defence.
Look, that line got eaten last night by Bergeron, can't swap out Kadri, so try Kappy.

 

[ToneDog]

Mitch has been a slow starter most of his career. I was so surprsed to see so many around these parts turn on him saying we should trade him for a defender....

In fairness expectations were unjustly high based on last year but a quality top 1/2 defender at a reasonable salary commands a Marner type player. Based on the last month, it would take a heck of an offer to trade Mitch or Willie. Like I said last week, wait until they get their man strength.

 

[Mess]

You still want to trade BOTH Marner and Nylander for Doughty?

That hypothetical is not happening on either teams part, but on value added to the Leafs and their Cup chances having a stud like Drew would make the Leafs a perennial Cup contender for years.

Worst case scenario the Leafs would only part with one of the above in any potential future trade for a stud #1Dman. IMO

 

[weems]

That hypothetical is not happening on either teams part, but on value added to the Leafs and their Cup chances having a stud like Drew would make the Leafs a perennial Cup contender for years.

Worst case scenario the Leafs would only part with one of the above in any potential future trade for a stud #1Dman. IMO

Sure and their offensive depth would be ZERO.

Goodluck being anywhere close to an elite offense without Marner and Nylander.

The fact is a few weeks ago you said youd drive both Marner and Nylander to the airport for Doughty and thats quite hilarious.

 

[ULF_55]

Apart from not playing Polak, other amendment I would do is put Kappy on with Kadri instead of Komarov on that line. His speed and finish and finess would give that line some of the offensive pop it had with Mitch, and I am not convinced he is a downgrade on defence.
Look, that line got eaten last night by Bergeron, can't swap out Kadri, so try Kappy.

Definitely, need an upgrade on that line.

Komarov and Polak are similar in that both have an actual use, unfortunately, that isn't as useful as it was a few years ago.

Next year the wingers for the top 3 centers should not include Komarov and the defense should not include Polak or Carrick.

Really would like to see a change this year whether you promote a Marlie or insert one of the boys coming from overseas, more skill!

 

[HoweHullOrr]

With the win, Leafs strong armed Boston into making a bad trade. Love it.

So if Leafs make a trade now, it is a reactionary trade to the Bruins trade ? No and neither is the Bruins trade. Bruins wanted to dump Belesky as much as they wanted Nash IMO.

Yes, and the other part of this is that the Bruins have been working on this trade for a few weeks. Its not reactionary or a just a recent thing.

 

[ToneDog]

"Never say never to a Mike Babcock coached team"

Got give Babs props for his ability to guide this team.. Very shrewd to put Marner with Nylander to help drive that line in Matthews absence.

Pulling all the right strings right now as Leafs playing their best hockey in a decade in these last 12 games or so.

Very true, unfortunately he keeps going to the Leo well and that is a mistake IMO. Leo belongs on the 4th line playing no more than 10 minutes, or in the pressbox. I won't hold my breath hoping Lou can deal him and find a speedy replacement who can kill penalties.

 

[Al14]

Expected goals based on the chances were 4.06 - 2.74. Maybe not complete annihilation, but a very solid beatdown!

Sorry, but, I don't see it as being a solid beat down either! Either team could have won that game! Sure, our Leafs played a great all around game, but, the Bruins were still in the game too!

JMHO.

 

[Ziggdiezan]

In fairness expectations were unjustly high based on last year but a quality top 1/2 defender at a reasonable salary commands a Marner type player. Based on the last month, it would take a heck of an offer to trade Mitch or Willie. Like I said last week, wait until they get their man strength.

Ya but ask the oilers what happens when your trade youngish talented forwards for defenders... Leafs don't need to trade any of the big 3 as they aren't in need of another defender as badly as people make out.

 

[ToneDog]

Ya but ask the oilers what happens when your trade youngish talented forwards for defenders... Leafs don't need to trade any of the big 3 as they aren't in need of another defender as badly as people make out.

CBJ probably don't regret trading RyJo for Jones. If you do make such a trade you better be damn sure you are getting quality back. Hall was on the outs in Edm and Chia did a Burke trading him and signing Lucic. Paying for both moves now.

 

[frog]

Not sure what you guys think but, imho (which is not appreciated here but I am saying it anyway, haha), Moore and Komorov should pack their suitcases. Kapanen looks like he's being held back and Moore? I didn't see him do anything all game and that was a game in which multiple players were noticeable and I mean it in a positive way. They still have major flaws, defensively, but out of the forwards, those two seem the most expendable.

However, I think the Kadri line struggled against the Bergeron line but the Leafs showed some resiliency they haven't showed when being outplayed early and actually took the game over. It was a good game for them, overall, I think.

How does kapanen look held back? He seems to me like he is flourishing, he's on every PK which is great for his development and is flying out there every shift. Also Moore and Komorov arent supposed to be noticeable. They are here for defence we dont need more offense. The less you notice them the better they are imo

 

[pucky]

How does kapanen look held back? He seems to me like he is flourishing, he's on every PK which is great for his development and is flying out there every shift. Also Moore and Komorov arent supposed to be noticeable. They are here for defence we dont need more offense. The less you notice them the better they are imo

If Kapanen had better wingers/line mates, maybe he gets a goal that game. Or an assist.

 

[frog]

If Kapanen had better wingers/line mates, maybe he gets a goal that game. Or an assist.

Id rather have him play defense instead of scoring goals. Just like nylander was handled he will always score goals, but if he wants to be a 2-way star he will need to play defence. Komarov and Moore could not be better linemates rn.

 

[cannucky]

maybe get a better 4C instead of Moore but he needs to be bigger and better defensively , Kadri's line only got eaten when playing with Reilly who was a plug once again -2 while on the ice for one of our goals , Polak was great last night covering for Dermott who inspite of his obvious skating ability clearly isn't ready to play D at this level ,a few more games and we'll be able to bring Borgy back without burning the rest of his waiver exemption .
Rail on Reilly fanboys but the reality is what it is .

 

[Mess]