This was pretty much exactly what I was thinking. I don't think the downside is that bad, he could probably hold up his guy enough to not be behind, and a line change should still be possible given that he'd be covering the #5 guy. However, everyone changing at the same time is generally a really bad idea for just the reasons you mentioned.
One of my pet peeves with NA hockey is how willing teams are to just hand over possession. Dump-ins with half-assed attempts to win the puck back being one example. Manage the puck. I think one of the reasons why Nylander always seem to push shot metrics is because he likes to circle back and give people time to change, so that the next line can actually attack with the puck rather than work to get it back first. You rarely see the forward circling back pressured so much that it's a real risk of dangerous turnovers at that point, not with both d-men to back him up.
Leaf Player | Hits per Game | Playoff Hits/game | Boston Player | Hits per Game | Playoff Hits/game |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jake Muzzin | 2.0 | 1.0 L.A. | Anton Blidh | 6.0 | |
Nikita Zaitsev | 1.7 | 3.6 | Chris Wagner 4th RW | 3.3 | |
Travis Dermott | 1.6 | 1.6 | Noel Acciari 4th C | 3.1 | 3.3 |
Zach Hyman | 1.4 | 2.1 | Connor Clifton | 2.1 | |
Frederik Gauthier | 1.4 | David Backes | 2.0 | 2.7 | |
Kasperi Kapanen | 1.2 | 1.4 | Kevan Miller | 1.9 | |
Nazem Kadri | 1.2 | 3.5 | Brandon Carlo #2 RD | 1.9 | |
Ron Hainsey | 1.1 | 1.1 | Sean Kuraly | 1.8 | |
Igor Ozhiganov | 1.1 | Charlie McAvoy #1 RD | 1.7 | 2.5 | |
Jake Gardiner | 1.0 | 1.3 | Jakub Zboril | 1.5 | |
Tyler Ennis | 1.0 | --*MW | Zdeno Chara #1 LD | 1.3 | 3.0 |
Patrick Marleau | 0.9 | 2.7 | John Moore | 1.3 | |
Martin Marincin | 0.9 | Steven Kampfer #3 RD | 1.3 | ||
Andreas Johnsson | 0.8 | 0.5 | Joakim Nordstrom #4 LW | 1.2 | |
Justin Holl | 0.8 | Trent Frederic | 1.2 | ||
Morgan Rielly | 0.7 | 1.3 | Colby Cave | 1.1 | |
John Tavares | 0.7 | 1.2 NYI 2015 | Lee Stempniak | 1.0 | |
Trevor Moore | 0.6 | Jeremy Lauzon | 0.9 | ||
Connor Brown | 0.4 | 0.6 | David Pastrnak #RW | 0.9 | 1.1 |
Auston Matthews | 0.4 | 2.0 | Torey Krug #2 LD | 0.8 | 1.5 |
Mitchell Marner | 0.4 | 0.9 | Charlie Coyle #3 C | 0.8 | |
William Nylander | 0.3 | 0.9 | Danton Heinen #3 RW | 0.7 | 0.4 |
Calle Rosen | 0.3 | Matt Grzelcyk #3 LD | 0.7 | 1.1 | |
13 more with .7 or under. |
Mine too. It's bizarre to see many Leafs players just hand posession away on multiple occasions. Especially considering Babcock's game is puck possession and making good decisions on both ends of the puck.
The problem is that we're still unsure which version of the Leafs will show up for the post season. We have had our full lineup for maybe a month in Feb where they went 9-4-2 before Dermott got hurt. After that it's been a mess.Seems everyone is writing off the Leafs on the main boards, pretty bizarre for a team that has maintained top 5-7 position for the entire regular season, a team that went 7 with the Bruins without Kadri for half the series and a C depth of Matthews-Bozak-Plekanec.
2018 - Matthews-Bozak-Plekanec = 7 games.
2019 - Tavares-Matthews-Kadri
You have to think the major bolstering of Toronto's C for this series will have a difference. I expect JT to make his mark on this series in particular, if Andersen plays light outs in game 1 I would not be surprised in the slightest if the Leafs draw first blood in this series to take the lead.
Main boards would be comedic gold unlike we've ever seen before.
The problem is that we're still unsure which version of the Leafs will show up for the post season. We have had our full lineup for maybe a month in Feb where they went 9-4-2 before Dermott got hurt. After that it's been a mess.
Let's just hope Andersen, Matthews, Nylander and Kadri are up to the task this year.
For sure, I think the Leafs have a good chance to advance to the second round if everyone plays to their abilities.I think we've seen the Leafs have that ability to flip the switch when they want to or need to. When they really need a win they play hard. I agree that motivation to show up has been a concern at periods of this season but what other motivation do you need than the playoffs? I expect the Leafs to be ready for game 1 and for it to be the opposite of last years game 1 in boston.
Kyle Dubas is not being fired after less than a year on the job.
You can book that. Don't forget Shanahan and co. chose him over Mark Hunter/Lou Lamoriello.
They're not going to abandon that decision after 12 months. That would be unprecedented.
Kyle Dubas is not being fired after less than a year on the job.
You can book that. Don't forget Shanahan and co. chose him over Mark Hunter/Lou Lamoriello.
They're not going to abandon that decision after 12 months. That would be unprecedented.
I agree and they targeted our RDs hard. Hope Babs is ready.This caused the Leafs so many problems last year against Boston.
They were hemmed in for extended periods of time, and when they finally got the puck back, they were forced to dump it in / change, and the cycle repeated itself.
It absolutely crushed them in games 1 and 2, and led to the collapse in game 7.
Maple Leafs Square vets;
What time do you recommend arriving on Saturday to ensure a spot inside?
Yikes