Not always, but personally I've admitted being incorrect several times.
But in this situation, there is enough (albeit circumstantial) evidence to suggest that having Simmonds/Clifford in the line up had an effect on how the team played differently from other games this season. To categorically deny it without acknowledging even the possibility indicates (IMO) an unhealthy level of obstinateness,
It is certainly possible but let’s look at it like this:
- Wayne Simmonds 111 games played for the Toronto Maple Leafs in which time they have largely been “soft”
- The last time the Leafs played Winnipeg, it was a very physical affair where Jason Spezza was suspended for the first time in his 1000+ game career
- The Leafs just got called out publicly for being soft against Dallas
With or without Simmonds in the lineup, this was going to be a predictably physical game. Maybe there is some truth to Simmonds injecting that into the lineup, but the boys would’ve played hard regardless.
I guess we’ll see if, moving forward, the Leafs continue to play physical for as long as Wayne is here or if they revert back to their play the other 110 games of their tenure.