Playoffs 2018 Discussion Thread

[Redder Winger]

What's the leafs goals against average in third periods of game 7's vs Boston?

 

[Pavels Dog]

Boston felt stronger top to bottom, like in ’15 against Tampa I think Babcock was the biggest reason it got close. Also Boston’s D is almost as shoddy as Toronto’s, will be a problem against Tampa.

 

[Cyborg Yzerberg]

God, really wanted Boston to lose there.

 

[SpookyTsuki]

Are me and TZE the only people who wanted Toronto to lose?

 

[TheMule93]

Are me and TZE the only people who wanted Toronto to lose?

Nope, I did too. I absolutely hate toronto.

 

[ArGarBarGar]

I figured Boston would win but I cannot stand anything Boston. They are full of jackasses and the entire culture of the Bruins is completely toxic.

 

[raymond23]

Yikes Andersen. So many softies that game.

 

[njx9]

What a ridiculous game.

Oh well, go literally-anyone-but-Boston-or-Pittsburgh.

 

[ricky0034]

Are me and TZE the only people who wanted Toronto to lose?

I wanted them to lose too

but honestly that's more to do with Toronto fans on this forum than anything else

 

[Frk It]

I could never root for a team that Brad Marchand is on.

 

[TheMule93]

I could never root for a team that Brad Marchand is on.

i wasn't rooting for boston, i was rooting against Toronto much harder than i was rooting against Boston

 

[TheMule93]

Reports are surfacing that Matthews is annoyed with Babcock

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Reports are surfacing that Matthews is annoyed with Babcock

Look at his ice time... We talk about that issue a lot with guys that don't deserve minutes. But why are you playing a guy that has 34 goals this year and is a good two-way force like a second line player?

My guess is this is the first summer where we have a real power struggle with all those power players in terms of the Leafs organizational power structure.

Also Babcock is an ******* so not all that surprising. Matthews is going to get him punted in a few years in my opinion. Babcock's timeline of usefulness never lined up with how they were planning to rebuild. He was going to wear guys out before they were good enough to win. I wouldn't be surprised if Matthews was annoyed with the whole thing organizationally. He is basically the captain, only they don't want him to be. He is their best player and anointed superstar but he played less than Joe Thornton and Zetterberg this year. He had a poor series, but he knows that he is going to be the guy who is held accountable and he gets to play with Zack Hyman/William (no defense) Nylander and Connor Brown to matchup head to head with all elite players night in and night out. He needs more help. The Leafs need more help on the backend, but you have to wonder if Matthews is thinking during the Boston series, how come I don't get to play with Marner? Just go carry this thing and know that you're going to be the front man face for this failure. Yeah I wouldn't be enamored either.

To be clear to those discussing it above I root for the Leafs to lose every game they play. I hate them with a passion. They are my least favorite sports organization in the world. I was raised to hate them and I do.

If the other team had a starting six of

Matt Cooke - Dale Hunter - Chris Simon
Bryan Marchment - Ulf Samuelsson
Eddie Belfour

I would root for those guys to beat the Leafs. It's the sweater, I am honestly bummed Matthews plays for them, I hope he somehow leaves after his 8 year extension he is likely to sign this summer.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Great start for Washington.

I don't think Murray is close to being on top of his game. That is going to be a bigger problem in this series than outscoring Philly.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Clean hit, some of the positions these guys put themselves in these days are staggering. Like hey I can try and turn at the last second and make this illegal. He was in the railroad tracks for a while there.

Cannot believe Ovie missed that one.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

I honestly think Mathews is overhyped

American kid from desert(unique factor x1000)
Drafted by the Yankees of hockey(spotlight)
Seen as the saviour

I think he will struggle with the pressure of playing in Toronto and will be more of a good player rather than an exceptional player

Just my thoughts

 

[Red Stanley]

I honestly think Mathews is overhyped

American kid from desert(unique factor x1000)
Drafted by the Yankees of hockey(spotlight)
Seen as the saviour

I think he will struggle with the pressure of playing in Toronto and will be more of a good player rather than an exceptional player

Just my thoughts

He'll be fine. You could see how dominant he was last year against the Caps. It was a really bad idea matching him up against Bergeron's line, though, especially last night when the Boston d was struggling. I don't think he's enjoying Babcock trying to turn him into Zetterberg.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I honestly think Mathews is overhyped

American kid from desert(unique factor x1000)
Drafted by the Yankees of hockey(spotlight)
Seen as the saviour

I think he will struggle with the pressure of playing in Toronto and will be more of a good player rather than an exceptional player

Just my thoughts

Matthews is a phenomenal talent. He will be a top 5 guy in this league for multiple seasons during his career in my opinion.

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

Two pretty bad back to back shifts and the game tilts...

I hope the Caps can find the way they were playing before that burst.

 

[Red Stanley]

Wow I hate the Penguins so very much ... they have to be the most annoying team to watch if you're not a fan of theirs. They can score their way out of any situation it seems.

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

Matthews is a phenomenal talent. He will be a top 5 guy in this league for multiple seasons during his career in my opinion.

I respect your opinion

 

[The Zetterberg Era]

I respect your opinion

He reminds me of Forsberg a little. I really think highly of him.

I used to argue that Eichel was better than him, but I have doubts. He has a ton of offense, is heavy on the puck and really already has a good two-way game. Tough not to acknowledge how special he has looked in his first two years. He isn't even getting PP1 time yet either...

 

[Zetterberg4Captain]

He reminds me of Forsberg a little. I really think highly of him.

I used to argue that Eichel was better than him, but I have doubts. He has a ton of offense, is heavy on the puck and really already has a good two-way game. Tough not to acknowledge how special he has looked in his first two years. He isn't even getting PP1 time yet either...

Meh

I don' know

We will see I just don' think he will be that dominant guy who can carry his team regardless of who his linemates are

 

[Winger98]

what impresses me most about Vegas is their passing. They skate well up and down the lineup, but they also excel at making all of those little passes that push the puck around the ice and drag the opposition out of position. It's excellent coaching from Gallant and buy-in from the players. All of those little passes that actually hit sticks instead of skates is what makes their team speed so deadly.

 

[Ingvar]

Pens just won’t die. Ugh.