Pre-Game Talk: Toronto @ Arizona, Dec 28th 9pm EST

Status
Not open for further replies.

1specter

Registered User
Sep 27, 2016
10,261
14,370
If we want to take the next step as an elite team, we need to beat these low level teams, it shouldn't even be a question. I know there's a lot of parity and any team can win any night but the Coyotes are headed for a 46 pt season; dropping two against these guys would be shameful.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ImpartialNHLfan

rent free

Registered User
Apr 6, 2015
20,427
6,114
We will probably beat them. We always lose to them at home so that really doesn't count as a disappointment.
 

bobermay

Registered User
Mar 6, 2009
12,352
301
Fredericton
We’ll win. Babcock finally came to his senses and put Nylander back with Matthews with predictable results. Now if he could ever get rid of that anvil Hyman from Matthews back, I might have to re-evaluate my position on this alleged world class coach.

Hyman has more ES points (18) than anyone not named Matthews (22) and Nylander (19). Hardly weighing them down....
 

CabanaBoy5

Registered User
Feb 17, 2013
3,359
3,777
Woodbridge
Hyman has more ES points (18) than anyone not named Matthews (22) and Nylander (19). Hardly weighing them down....
He also has a higher ATOI (17:31) than any forward on the team not named Matthews (mind boggling really) and is tied for 7th in scoring despite playing most of the season with Matthews. He also has the highest TOI ES among forwards not named Matthews. He also has the lowest PS among the top 9 despite playing with Matthews. You have to use statistics fairly if you’re going to support Babcock’s FC. He weighs Matthews down by any statistical measuring stick or eye test.
 
Last edited:

bobermay

Registered User
Mar 6, 2009
12,352
301
Fredericton
He also has a higher ATOI (17:31) than any forward on the team not named Matthews (mind boggling really) and is tied for 7th in scoring despite playing most of the season with Matthews. He weighs Matthews down by any statistical measuring stick.

Don't exaggerate things here now...

Average ES TOI/G among forwards:
AM: 16:13
ZH: 14:34
NK: 14:20
PM: 14:15
WN: 14:15

ES Points among forwards:
AM: 22
WN: 19
ZH: 18
MM: 17
PM: 16
NK: 16

Its not like Hyman is getting significantly more ES TOI than his peers... he also gets VERY little PP TOI, and gets heavy PK minutes
 

Zybalto

Registered User
Dec 28, 2012
9,490
8,767
Hyman hate looks pretty ridiculous sometimes.

He's been good this year and there are too many around here that refuse to try and like him.

His stats certainly point to him being a top 6 forward that still has room for more growth as he's only in his sophomore season.....and hes on a really good contract taking his production into account.

More ES points than Crosby but playing 2 min less a game?

How can you spin that as being a bad thing?

He's pretty good.
 

Daisy Jane

everything is gonna be okay!
Jul 2, 2009
70,212
9,189
Hyman hate looks pretty ridiculous sometimes.

He's been good this year and there are too many around here that refuse to try and like him.
His stats certainly point to him being a top 6 forward that still has room for more growth as he's only in his sophomore season.....and hes on a really good contract taking his production into account.

More ES points than Crosby but playing 2 min less a game?

How can you spin that as being a bad thing?

He's pretty good.

basically, Zach Hyman is this generations Tyler Bozak

no matter what he does, no matter how good he is in his best years, all people are going to do is complain that the best player (Matthews/Kessel) is not playing with other best players, even though that Hyman (Bozak) did very well in their roles.
 

Al14

Registered User
Jul 13, 2007
24,093
5,452
I want to see us pummel Arizona.

I would just like an easy win with us escaping the game without injury!

No need to embarrass Arizona, or any other team, well, except Ottawa and Montreal that is! LOL
 

Mess

Global Moderator
Feb 27, 2002
86,912
11,862
Leafs Home Board
Matthews vs his favourite childhood team & Marner vs. his London linemates Domi and Dvorak are interesting backstories and sub-plots of this game.

Could be extra motivation for players with connections.

PS. Arizona could have had the entire London line if they had taken Marner instead of Strome, so there might be some internal issues for them particularly if Marner goes hog wild on them this game.
 

rent free

Registered User
Apr 6, 2015
20,427
6,114
Hyman hate looks pretty ridiculous sometimes.

He's been good this year and there are too many around here that refuse to try and like him.

His stats certainly point to him being a top 6 forward that still has room for more growth as he's only in his sophomore season.....and hes on a really good contract taking his production into account.

More ES points than Crosby but playing 2 min less a game?

How can you spin that as being a bad thing?

He's pretty good.
Well Crosby has won back to back cups while the leafs don't even know how to spell second round.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Willchel Marlynder

CabanaBoy5

Registered User
Feb 17, 2013
3,359
3,777
Woodbridge
Hyman hate looks pretty ridiculous sometimes.

He's been good this year and there are too many around here that refuse to try and like him.

His stats certainly point to him being a top 6 forward that still has room for more growth as he's only in his sophomore season.....and hes on a really good contract taking his production into account.

More ES points than Crosby but playing 2 min less a game?

How can you spin that as being a bad thing?

He's pretty good.
I don’t hate Hyman, he’s a marginal 3rd liner, more likely 4th liner. What’s ridiculous is people who think he’s a top 6, like our genius coach, who gives him more ice time than offensive players when we’re down in games. Against Columbus he had Hyman AND Komarov on the ice in the final minute...result was tragic.
 

SeaOfBlue

The Passion That Unites Us All
Aug 1, 2013
35,591
16,773
I don’t hate Hyman, he’s a marginal 3rd liner, more likely 4th liner. What’s ridiculous is people who think he’s a top 6, like our genius coach, who gives him more ice time than offensive players when we’re down in games. Against Columbus he had Hyman AND Komarov on the ice in the final minute...result was tragic.

He's a great 3rd liner, not marginal. That's what he's getting paid like too.

Not a top 6er, but we do not really have anyone else on that left side who could really do it otherwise. They clearly want someone who digs, and neither JvR nor Marleau do that and the others who could be there (Komarov and Martin) would not be much better.
 

Schennanigans

Registered User
Dec 26, 2008
7,376
555
Etobicoke, on
Time to start another winning streak. We really could use one. Hope the long time off doesn't bother us too much. Probably Andersen could use the tine off more than anyone. He has played alot and the biggest reason we are in 2nd place.
 

MJ65

Registered User
Jul 12, 2009
16,376
2,233
Toronto
I agree with you guys that we should win but there is no such thing as a easy win or easy game, as is Leafs haven't done very well against the bottom feeder this season
 

weems

Registered User
Jul 3, 2008
17,910
11,152
If we show up, skate and work hard we will win this game.
I know it sounds simple but thats really what it comes down to with this team. We have so much talent that if we also bring the hardwork and speed of a hungry team we're unquestionably a elite team.
Even Babcock has referenced this a few times in his post game pressers or post morning practice sessions.
I really hope after this break we get back to being a team that skates teams off the ice and works hard on a consistent basis.
The last few games have been a good sign and hopefully that trend continues.
 

Stephen

Moderator
Feb 28, 2002
77,850
51,520
Just curious, but is the NHL making a habit of scheduling the Leafs in Arizona over the holidays for Auston Matthews' benefit? Pretty awesome, if so.
 

rent free

Registered User
Apr 6, 2015
20,427
6,114
He's a great 3rd liner, not marginal. That's what he's getting paid like too.

Not a top 6er, but we do not really have anyone else on that left side who could really do it otherwise. They clearly want someone who digs, and neither JvR nor Marleau do that and the others who could be there (Komarov and Martin) would not be much better.
You can't a say hes a great 3rd liner because he's never played there and never will.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CabanaBoy5
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ad

Upcoming events

Ad

Ad

-->