Pre-Game Talk: Bruins @ Leafs - Saturday HNIC

[stickty111]

Nylander's talents get wasted on the bumper spot, so it should be interesting what Mcfarland does.

 

[Walshy7]

wow I am shocked nylander is getting a chance. I agree not the best spot for him but Marner is better at the same spot so what can you do. I doubt they change the way they plan the pp for just a couple of weeks so he will have to do it. Maybe Matthews and nylander switching might work better but then you lose Matthews slapper which has been quite good so far.

But great to see it I was sure babs was going to force kapanen or moore into that slot. Now just play it 1:30 minimum

 

[Marshy]

The lines aren't bad but it's funny Spezza is the 3rd line centre, when he couldn't get a regular spot before. Babcock makes 0 sense.
If he line matches which he will, Cassidy is going to eat us alive.

This was the kind of thing I imagine Dubas highlighted at the end of year evaluations. So continue to do what failed in the past ---> one would have to assume you are not interested in sticking around with your current employer. Anyone care to debate that?

 

[al secord]

I don't think it will take long for Spezza to see the Marner line, me thinks. Expecting a big game from Mikheyev. He could be the real beneficiary of JT's injury.

 

[Advanced stats]

It's happening.

That's just on the pp I think. Some seem to think he's taking line 2, but I think this tweet is referring to the PP

 

[X66]

Nylander should be in the middle, similar to where Point and Scheifele are on their PPs.

That gives Matthews a close option for a quick one timer(Nylander) if his shooting lane is taken up.

 

[Duffman955]

Need Andersen to be as good as Rask

Need defense to not be totally incompetent

If those 2 things happen, we win

 

[ACC1224]

This was the kind of thing I imagine Dubas highlighted at the end of year evaluations. So continue to do what failed in the past ---> one would have to assume you are not interested in sticking around with your current employer. Anyone care to debate that?

Are you suggesting Dubas gave him an ultimatum?

 

[sittler rules!!!]

21 minutes AM line please.

I dunno, I kinda like that second line

 

[Leafsfan74]

so far I think Kerfoot's been a better 3C than Kadri, but now we'll see a true test. Kadri would look great for us if he needed to move up, so hopefully Kerfoot can really step up too

Well, that is if Kadri finished the game without being thrown out and suspended...

 

[disgruntleddave]

I was secretly hoping that spezza would slot into the 4c role, 3rd line unchanged, and goat would play with marner and Moore.

Goat and marner played well briefly when marner was on the 4th line. I think it could work.

 

[Marshy]

Are you suggesting Dubas gave him an ultimatum?

I think it was made clear to Babcock that he needed to be more flexible with his game strategies and adapting/in game decision making.

Purely speculation but I think safe to say Dubas liked what he heard in that meeting. The playing not to lose line matching at home against our rivals who have proven they can beat us at that game --> I am saying that Babcock would know that he is on borrowed time if he doesn't make changes that management clearly would see as failed strategies. I would have to wonder how badly he would want to stay on board if he doesn't adapt. Taking it a step further one could argue that if it's not outright defiance then it is stubborn narcissism -- which is something perhaps he is not capable of changing. Defiance or character flaw in the end, does it matter? He would be shown the door and rightly so.

 

[ACC1224]

Two back to back sets next week after this one, crazy.

3 wins out of 5 would be great. (Saturday, Monday, Friday)

 

[Marshy]

Hutchinson needs a win in one of those B2B's. Babcock had a short leash with the Enroth a few years back and I think he lobbies for Dubas to bring in a capable backup again that can carry the mail when Freddie needs a rest.

 

[Duffman955]

Are you suggesting Dubas gave him an ultimatum?

If there is an ultimatum, then it's that Babcock gets past the 1st round

I doubt Dubas going to tell Babcock how to coach.

 

[Leafsfan13]

Matthews or kerfoot against Bergeron?

 

[BrannigansLaw]

Have a feeling their PP is going to rip us apart in this one. You know Pastrnak is going to get at least one of those PP goals too

 

[Burnie97]

I don't mind these lines. Itll be interesting to see. I saw somewhere that Soups Leads us in 5 vs 5 points. Guy has been good and has size. I think he should be in the top 6 ... if he continues to play this well.

Andy needs to have a really solid game and I think the Leafs have a good chance at a W. No dumb penalties... let the Bruins do that.

 

[Throw More Waffles]

Rather Nylander at C as that center depth is pretty bad. Multiple players playing a slot too high

That’s of course what happens when a top 2 center is injured. The other centres move up a slot too high.

I think it’s better to keep Nylander on a wing with Matthews. No need to mess with the flow of every line due to one injury.

 

[Marshy]

How many injuries did Boston have last year especially on D?

Every one else do a little more. Battle a little harder for loose pucks. Babcock said they believe it's their time. Time to prove it.

 

[Cleetus]

Matthews or kerfoot against Bergeron?

ouch....

 

[Marshy]

ouch....

I know what Pat Quinn would do. Shayne Corson would know what Bergeron had for breakfast and what kind of deodorant he wears.

 

[ACC1224]

I know what Pat Quinn would do. Shayne Corson would know what Bergeron had for breakfast and what kind of deodorant he wears.

Who's their Shane Corson?

 

[Marshy]

Who's their Shane Corson?

Sadly, GOAT. Would ol' Pat set him loose on Patrice? Get him angry first and send him out on a mission?

 

[ACC1224]

Sadly, GOAT. Would ol' Pat set him loose on Patrice? Get him angry first and send him out on a mission?

You don't want him getting those type of minutes.
With this team I think the best approach is to let them worry about who Bergeron should cover. Take the offensive approach to the match up.