Pre-Game Talk: TOR @ VAN Jan 20

[Darcy Tucker]

If the Leafs win and Strickland defends his belt in Toronto tonight I will be a very happy Caveman. But I can see the opposite of both of those outcomes happening.

 

[Gallagbi]

Crazy to see Laff has 10 goals. It'd be less here, but with all the shake ups in our top 9 he'd be a nice option to have.

 

[Confucius]

Haven't won in Vancouver since December 2019. Doubt that changes

lol, nice

 

[Dekes For Days]

We'll give him away for Denis Malgin 2.0 and watch him blossom into a 20 goal forward for another franchise like Verhaghe and Marchment.

It's much worse, because unlike those other guys, Robertson is already an effective NHLer on pace for 20 goals. We're just not playing him for some baffling reason.

 

[ULF_55]

It’s going to be interesting to see how our forwards will have any trouble getting to the net with Vancouver adding all the size this year on the backend

They finally realized size matters in the playoffs and addressed that need

Over the years here all I've ever heard about Zadorov and Myers is that they're garbage.

Are you saying they are good defenders?

 

[al secord]

I hope we don't lose this one as Vancouver fans can be insufferable to those living among the enemy.,

So can some of our own posters living among us

 

[Darcy Tucker]

It's much worse, because unlike those other guys, Robertson is already an effective NHLer on pace for 20 goals. We're just not playing him for some baffling reason.

Outside of his shooting ability he is subpar in every other area. His on ice awareness is lacking and can't be trusted to play in the defensive zone so your claim is a little spurious.

I hope the kid figures it out he's capable of 30 goals with the right usage but I can see why he's the odd man out.

 

[Buds17]

It's much worse, because unlike those other guys, Robertson is already an effective NHLer on pace for 20 goals. We're just not playing him for some baffling reason.

They apparently have a pretty good sense of where he's at.

 

[ULF_55]

So can some of our own posters living among us

Leafs fans are like people.

Yeah, we're stuck with both.

 

[Dekes For Days]

But his lack of physical commitment in a board battle, (just use your weight to stop the cycle ) and puck focus seems to indicate he's always thinking transition without just making sure the dirty work is done. Just pin a guy and stop the cycle.

Lol, I can't believe I'm actually reading this. Matthews is excellent at pinning players to stop cycles, and does it constantly. I really question what some people are watching.

 

[Sypher04]

It’s going to be interesting to see how our forwards will have any trouble getting to the net with Vancouver adding all the size this year on the backend

They finally realized size matters in the playoffs and addressed that need

We already beat them once this season. 5-2 back in November

 

[Suntouchable13]

Haven't won in Vancouver since December 2019. Doubt that changes tomorrow

Wow, that's bizarre. I looked on hockey reference, and Leafs have not won a game in Vancouver during the 2021 North Division season either, in 4 tries. I thought they would win a game in Vancouver during that season, that's why your post surprised me.

 

[ULF_55]

Wow, that's bizarre. I looked on hockey reference, and Leafs have not won a game in Vancouver during the 2021 North Division season either, in 4 tries.

Why do you think the Canuck players look forward to it.

Automatic 2 points.

 

[Dekes For Days]

Outside of his shooting ability he is subpar in every other area. His on ice awareness is lacking and can't be trusted to play in the defensive zone so your claim is a little spurious.

He's not subpar in every other area. His shot is obviously his biggest asset (and some people make whole careers off of that), but he's good in most areas offensively and in basic skills. And while he's not amazing defensively yet, that's to be expected as a 22-year old rookie that missed a lot of development time due to covid/injuries, and he's no worse in that regard than a number of players currently in our forward group. We're not going to see him improve that by making him miss even more critical development time when he's healthy and deserving of a spot.

 

[DarkKnight]

Only 6 back of Florida with 2 games in hand. For all the doom and gloom it can change quickly with a little run.

 

[andora]

. Getting Matthews and Nylander to stop hanging out in the high slot hoping to flip to offense is a bigger issue but I doubt either changes because their offense got them paid.
AM is getting praise from Leaf fans and the TML centric press for intercepting a few cross ice passes in the high slot yet escapes being called out as the D is constantly out manned in the slot and corners because he won’t come down (like a center should).

Thats coaching

 

[ACC1224]

no most of the time the leafs get CBC, but lately more games are sportsnet only

Maybe it’s where I live but it’s always Sportsnet in Burlington and Habs on CBC.

Lafferty is a guy you want on the ice in games you’re winning. The problem isn’t scoring, it’s keeping other teams from coming back seemingly at will.
Lafferty type players don’t win games for you but they help keep you from losing them.

Now please share with us what is the teams major issue? (Hint; holding leads is th correct answer)

So that you can keep it that way. Reeves is … a waste of space and he costs more.

But you are correct, Lafferty isn’t the single solution. Getting Matthews and Nylander to stop hanging out in the high slot hoping to flip to offense is a bigger issue but I doubt either changes because their offense got them paid.
AM is getting praise from Leaf fans and the TML centric press for intercepting a few cross ice passes in the high slot yet escapes being called out as the D is constantly out manned in the slot and corners because he won’t come down (like a center should).

Can’t imagine anyone watching this team and thinking “damn, if we only had Lafferty”.

 

[ACC1224]

So can some of our own posters living among us

Amen to that

 

[Sypher04]

Thats coaching

It’s also not really true.

 

[Darcy Tucker]

He's not subpar in every other area.

While I agree with the rest of your post Robertson very clearly has issues with his game. He is easily bodied off the puck and has a penchant for getting blown up by big hits. I'm hoping the guy develops his game and is a regular player for us but he can be a liability some nights. Not sure what you can do when the coach puts you in the doghouse he might have to wait for an injury to get back in. I like him and his shot but I'm not going to hold it against Keefe for not playing him.

 

[Evilhomer]

Only 6 back of Florida with 2 games in hand. For all the doom and gloom it can change quickly with a little run.

It's why all of the miss the playoffs stuff is funny. If the Leafs win both games this weekend they are near level with Florida, and now that Florida's heater is long gone they look poised to continue their losing streak.

 

[Nineteen67]

Lafferty is a guy you want on the ice in games you’re winning. The problem isn’t scoring, it’s keeping other teams from coming back seemingly at will.
Lafferty type players don’t win games for you but they help keep you from losing them.

Now please share with us what is the teams major issue? (Hint; holding leads is th correct answer)

So that you can keep it that way. Reeves is … a waste of space and he costs more.

But you are correct, Lafferty isn’t the single solution. Getting Matthews and Nylander to stop hanging out in the high slot hoping to flip to offense is a bigger issue but I doubt either changes because their offense got them paid.
AM is getting praise from Leaf fans and the TML centric press for intercepting a few cross ice passes in the high slot yet escapes being called out as the D is constantly out manned in the slot and corners because he won’t come down (like a center should).

Actually, one of the problems is still lack of scoring depth. Going into the season there were concerns at T6 wingers and B6 that haven’t been answered.
And yes a guy like Lafferty could help

 

[rumman]

Sean Strickland is a national treasure. God I hope he wins tonight. The night he beat Izzy was one of the best nights I've ever had watching fights.

Strickland’s done more for calling out the lunacy state of Canada in the last week than most Canadians have in the last eight years, in my books he’s a honorary Canadian………

 

[al secord]

Strickland’s done more for calling out the lunacy state of Canada in the last week than most Canadians have in the last eight years, in my books he’s a honorary Canadian………

I'm sure they'll be looking to name a street after him in south oshawa

 

[andora]

It’s also not really true.

nah - it happens